81. Rock Goes The Gospel - Alice Cooper "He's Back - The Man Behind The Mask"

"He's Back (The Man Behind the Mask)" by Alice Cooper was released as the lead single from his 1986 album Constrictor, and the theme song of Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives, a slasher film and sixth part of the Friday the 13th film series released in the same year. The song is heard various times throughout the film and in the end credits. Two other songs, "Teenage Frankenstein" (also from Constrictor) and "Hard Rock Summer" (which did not appear outside of the Jason Lives soundtrack) are also featured in the film.

You're with your baby
And you're parked alone
On a summer night

You're deep in love
But you're deeper in the woods
You think you're doin' alright

You heard a voice
Did you see that face
Or was it just a dream?

It can't be real
That only happens, babe
On the movie screen

If you see him comin'
Get away if you can
He's a dangerous man
Throws a dangerous party, man

He's back
The man behind the mask
And he's out of control

He's back
The man behind the mask
He crawled out of his hole
Just to rock and roll

He's going out tonight
Going to make his rounds to get his fill
Standing straight and tall
He's a ton of fun and he's dressed to kill

You know you read he was gone
It was surely is him
But he's back on the prowl
Again and again and again

Don't you know
He's back
The man behind the mask
And he's out of control

He's back
The man behind the mask
He crawled out of his hole
Just to rock and roll

You know you read he was gone
It was surely is him
But he's back on the prowl
Again and again and again

He's back
The man behind the mask
And he's out of control

He's back
The man behind the mask
He crawled out of his hole
Just to rock and roll

He's back
The man behind the mask
And he's out of control

He's back
The man behind the mask
He crawled out of his hole
Just to rock and roll

He's back
The man behind the mask
And he's out of control

He's back
The man behind the mask
He crawled out of his hole
Just to rock and roll

He's back

This song is essentially about fear. It's the archetypal monster story. When I was growing up I heard and was scared of the stories of the Boogeyman. I was glued to the TV in the 1970's and watched the Scooby Doo and the monsters that chased Shaggy, Scooby, Daphne, Fred and Velma. this song has that kind of a feel to it. Also being the theme tune to Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives helps in the fear department. There are many reasons for fear in our lives. We have fear and courage in equal measures sometimes when we face danger. For some people there is a pathological fear of open spaces, or spiders, or any number of things. For many there is a creeping fear of death or dying, or the fear of losing someone dear to them. Fear appears in the bible in countless places. Lets for a moment in this mornings devotion look a little at fear.

The Bible mentions two specific types of fear. The first type is beneficial and is to be encouraged. The second type is a detriment and is to be overcome. The first type of fear is fear of the Lord. This type of fear does not necessarily mean to be afraid of something. Rather, it is a reverential awe of God; a reverence for His power and glory. However, it is also a proper respect for His wrath and anger. In other words, the fear of the Lord is a total acknowledgement of all that God is, which comes through knowing Him and His attributes.

Fear of the Lord brings with it many blessings and benefits. It is the beginning of wisdom and leads to good understanding.

Psalm 111:10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practise it have a good understanding. His praise endures for ever! "

Only fools despise wisdom and discipline, the Fear of the Lord brings wisdom.

 Proverbs 1:7. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." fools despise wisdom and instruction."

The fear of the Lord leads to life, rest, peace, and contentment 

Proverbs 19:23 "The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm."

The fear of the Lord is the fountain of life

Proverbs 14:26-27  "In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. 27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,  that one may turn away from the snares of death." 

The fear of the Lord provides a security and a place of safety for us.

You can see in the scriptures how fearing God should be encouraged. However, the second type of fear mentioned in the Bible is not beneficial at all. This is the “spirit of fear” mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”  A spirit of fearfulness and timidity does not come from God.

2 Timothy 1: 3- 7 3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

However, sometimes we are afraid, sometimes this “spirit of fear” overcomes us, and to overcome it we need to trust in and love God completely. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18). No one is perfect, and God knows this. That is why He has liberally sprinkled encouragement against fear throughout the Bible. Beginning in the book of Genesis and continuing throughout the book of Revelation, God reminds us to “Fear not.” So Today "Do not fear" Don't fear but trust and reverence God in your lives.