Skip to main content

The End Is Near

 

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. (I Peter 4:7)

 

          You’ve seen the placards announcing that the end is near, at least in cartoons. Most of those who refer to these posters do it in a sense of ridicule. The end has been near” since the days of Peter, they scoff. Well, those who believe that evolution is historical fact claim that we an our “near” relatives split off from one another about 11 million years ago. Just the blink of an eye in their timeline.. So, I guess whether twenty-one hundred years or three thousand years is “near” sort of depends on who’s using the term, and what they’re talking about. That tends to be unfair.

          As I walked this morning, one of the thoughts that wandered through my mind is the claim made by both sides in the political debate in this country that if the other side’s candidate wins, it’s the end of America. This has some of the same feeling to it. Both sides are right. If the Left wins, the legal and philosophical basis for this country will be shoved aside. If the Right wins, the dreams for the future may well die. It all depends on depends on your picture of America: the principles on which it was founded, or some bright, shining future. Once again, it all depends on your system of reference.

          For each of us, the end of all things is near. It’s as near as a car accident, a stage four diagnosis, or an attack by someone who hates us. So, what does Scripture teach us about life given that – in one way or another – the end is near? We’re told to be of sober mind or clear headed so that we can pray. That means we aren’t to run around, pulling out our hair because “it’s the end of the world!”  Instead, we’re to pray.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Right Road

          Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. (Psalm 139:7-12)                  For years before GPSes existed, I told people I wanted something in my car that would tell me, “Turn left in half a mile…turn left in a quarter mile…turn left in 500 feet… turn left in 100 feet…turn left now …You missed the turn, Dummy!” The problem isn’t necessarily that I get lost so much as I’m afraid I’ll get lost. I don’t want to have to spend my whole trip stressing over the next turn. I have the same problem with my spiritual journey.   
Post a Comment
Read more

Died as a Ransom

                 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. (Hebrews 9:15)                  This is something I’d really rather not think about but here it is and it’s important. I was reading in Bold Love about seeking revenge.  The author wrote of seeking justice when a supposed Christian does something sinful, harmful, and/or horrific, like sexually abusing a daughter.  And the thought that came to mind was of God asking if Jesus’ death was sufficient payment to me for the sin committed against me.                I have no specific longing for revenge, vengeance, or justice. I’m sure there are some lurking somewhere in my heart, but this wasn’t a response to one. It was more a question of principle. Jesus’ death was sufficient payment for to God for our sins.  That’s the standard Sunday Schoo
1 comment
Read more

Out of the Depths

  Out of the depths I have cried to You, Lord. Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the sound of my pleadings.   If You, Lord, were to keep account of guilty deeds, Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, so that You may be revered. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and I wait for His word. My soul waits in hope for the Lord more than the watchmen for the morning; Yes, more than the watchmen for the morning. Israel, wait for the Lord; for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption. And He will redeem Israel from all his guilty deeds . (Psalm 130)             I like Mr. Peterson’s interpretation of the first line. “The bottom has fallen out of my life!” Of course, the problem for some of us is the fact that we’re drama queens, and/or we’re weak. Any time anything happens that disturbs our sense of mastery and control, the bottom has fallen out of our lives. If the past couple of days have taught me anything, they’ve t
1 comment
Read more