Ok...So we know that Egypt has been total chaos for the past month. Here's the jist of what I keep hearing from a number of middle-aged Christians in my life...
THE END IS NEAR!!!!
Ok, it's not always that dramatic. But as much as people say it, you'd think we were getting ready for Y2K all over again. News flash: God is the only one who knows when "the end" - whether by that you mean the tribulation, the rapture, Armagedon, whatever - is. Why does it seem that our focus is always on...
4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. 9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
...but never on...
14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:4-14)
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
And I love how C.S. Lewis puts it. Right out of the lion's mouth: "I call all times soon."
And check out the rest of 2 Peter 3. If you're really looking into the "end times," your focus shouldn't be on the wars or natural desasters. Yes, all of that is going to happen - but God is using it all as a last opportunity to bring people to Him! So instead of sitting around watching the world fall apart on Fox News, why aren't we out there spreading the good news of God's kingdom in love? Why are we prophecying doom and wagging our heads in woe instead of speeding His coming by sharing the gospel with the nations?
Yes, be aware of what's going on. If you're looking around saying, "Hey, wait...there's war and rioting in the Middle East?" you need to get out from under your rock...But at the same time, don't - PLEASE - don't forget where God's heart is in all this. God's bringing on these dark, troubling times so we can shine all the brighter and love all the deeper in the midst of the hate. We're here to bring hope.
oh my. i couldnt believe that there was still somebody out there who really still believed in religion.
ReplyDeleteAfter what mayhem that its caused in this world, there is still idiots out there believing in a god.
live your life to the full, theres nothing after you die
God isn't religion to me. He's never presented Himself as religion - that's what man has done. The truth is, He's realer to me than the physical people in my life.
ReplyDeleteJesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." I agree with living your life to the fullest, but I've also committed myself to living for the One who gave His life for me and gave me hope to get through this dark world.
Yes, there is a lot of mayhem in our world, caused by man's wrong choices. We're living with the consequences of our own sin - or someone else's. In God's eyes, though, we're all equal, all deserving of death. A just God has no choice to condemn sin, but a loving God has no choice but to provide an out. Through the death of His Son, He's able to forgive us. He experienced the ultimate suffering so that we could experience the ultimate love. All that we have to do is believe in Jesus and we have ETERNAL life.
PS - Your photographs are great. I've always wanted to visit the UK. =]
By any Means.Muamar should be spelled from Libya ...kiling more than 500 people is a Genocide isn't it?.......I Wonder who will he reign if they all die!!! ......Look..if he aim to help his citizens why not protide them with their need Democracy!....ooh what a Hopeles President....
ReplyDeleteYes! You are absolutely right! Lets get out and "Shake n Shine!" Blessings from a Pennsylvania sister in Christ!
ReplyDelete