2012

The other night Steve, Kyle, and I watched the dvd, "2012".  The movie is based on the predictions of the ancient Mayans that the world is going to end in the year 2012.  I don't think it'll ruin the movie for anyone to tell you that, yes, the world did end as we know it!  Yikes!

That got me thinking about how the world will end.  What can we expect in the end times?  The Bible actually has quite a lot to say on this subject.  We know that there will be wars and threats of war; there will be famines and earthquakes.  False prophets will claim to be the Messiah.  "Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold" (Matt. 24:12)  We're also told that the world will be as it was in the days of Noah (people lived their lives...eating and drinking and working until the flood destroyed the world) and in the days of Lot (the people went about their daily business until fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all) (see Luke 17:26-29).  There will be greater anguish in those days than in any other time in history.  We're also warned that believers will be hated, betrayed, arrested, persecuted, and killed.

This is just a condensed version of what the Bible tells us to expect.  Even though we don't know exactly how it will all play out, we do know that it will be a time of world-wide catastrophes, as well as a time of intense persecution for believers.  In fact, we're told that "the time will be shortened for the sake of God's chosen ones." (see Matt. 24:22).  So how are we, as believers, supposed to deal with all of this?  It would be pretty easy to allow fear to creep in and take over.

When Jesus' disciples asked him about the end times, He gave them the grim accounts of what to expect.  But He also had some very encouraging words to say.  First of all, He told them not to panic (He knows us so well, doesn't He?!).  He reminded His followers that those who endure to the end will be saved.  He encouraged them to keep watch, be ready, and be faithful.  He promised them that the Good News would be preached throughout the world.  In fact, Jesus told His followers that the very persecution they would endure would turn into ideal opportunities to witness.  "This will be your opportunity to tell them about me."  (Mark 13:9b)

So, are we on the brink of Christ's return?  Only the Father knows.  But we can stand firm and be confident that the promises Jesus gave to his disciples also extend to us, His 21st century followers.  Even though we're told that terror will oppress the earth and sea -- since Satan will be "filled with fury, because he knows his time is short" (see Rev. 12:12) -- we're also told that God will pour out His Spirit on all people, men and women alike.  We will have many opportunities to share the hope that we have in Christ!

And then one glorious day, "...the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God.  First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves.  Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  Then we will be with the Lord forever!"  (I Thess. 4:16-17)