Apocalypse Now?
It looks like we survived Apoca-eclipse, 2024.
If you were paying attention to the doomcasters and end-time prophecy fanatics on social media, you may have heard that some predicted that this week's eclipse was one of the signs of the end of days. Many were discussing the moon-shadow event as if it were something unprecedented, and not something that was easy to precisely predict by any astronomer hundreds of years ago.
Coupled with last week's earthquake in New Jersey, others--including a U.S. congresswoman--were sure these recent events all added up to a sure indication that the ends times were upon us. We heard from everyone from Biblical "scholars" to metaphysicists to earth worshipers who were kind enough to share their calculations of it all and predict that the apocalypse was upon us.
You may be aware that this is not the first time someone has set a date for Christ's return or the earth's demise. In recent years, we had the Blood Moon prediction from September 27, 2015. A few years before that, we had the Mayan calendar doomsday on December 21, 2012, and the "100% certainty" of the return of Christ on May 21, 2011. As far as I can tell, none of those occurred.
I also remember the "88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988" (it wasn't), and that it was also scheduled in 1994. And, if you'll study church history, you can see that Jesus was coming back in 1918, and 1914, and 1843, and on and on and on. I guess these folks missed the memo, when Jesus Himself made the point that "no man knows the day or hour" when He's coming back (Matt. 24:36), not even Himself!
I will not argue, we've never been closer to "the end of the world as we know it." Just read the prophetic implications of the evening news from the Middle East each day and it's not hard to see the handwriting on the wall. I'm not sure if the end is near, but I do know it's near-er than it's ever been!
It wasn't on Monday, and it may or may not be today, but we do know it's coming soon. Or rather, He's coming soon! The question is not so much when it will be, but, are you ready for His return? Hear the warning of the apostle Peter to the first-century church, which rings even truer to us today:
"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything it it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming....So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him." (2 Peter 3:8-12, 14)
What's the point? Get ready. And stay ready, because, like a thief in the night, the Lord promises His return will be unexpected, and He calls us to be ready for Him whenever that time arrives. So, may you "make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him" today.
If we're still around, I'll see you Sunday.
--Pastor Ken
