It’s Dooooomsdaaaaay!
So, it turns out that the end of the world is coming. Soon. So soon, in fact, that we won’t even be able to enjoy our entire weekend before crap hits the fan. There’s biblical proof! Well, at least that’s what Harold Camping says. Personally, I love when Christians come up with end time dates. Their uncanny ability to decipher the scriptures and decode hidden messages that negate the obvious truths fascinate me. Truly I tell you, I won’t be stocking up on twinkies and ammo any time soon.
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. – Matthew 25:13 NIV
Here’s the simple truth: Christ is returning, and we don’t know when it’s going to happen.
I realize that the end times are fascinating. I also realize that the current condition of the world would sure make it a likely scenario, but does it really do any good to know a date? I happen to believe that the end is soon (not this weekend soon…), but I also realize that everyone who believed and followed Christ since he first told of his second coming thought that they would live to see the end. The world is always a mess. Humans are always running away from God. The situation always seems like it would be a good time for judgement day, but speculating over a date is a sure way to know that you’re wrong. Why? Because no one knows when it’s coming.
No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. – Mark 13:32
Do these people who claim to know the day of judgement know more than the angels in Heaven? More than Jesus Christ himself? I think not. Scripture is complex, yes, but it’s also riddled with very simple truths that people like to trample over in favor of their own, overly complex interpretations. These are the words of Jesus Christ. He is the word of God and absolute truth. No man can negate these things he has said.
So why are we so fascinated with the end times? Why do so many want to know the end date so badly? Maybe the best way to answer this is to ask ourselves why God doesn’t want us to know when the end will come. Think about it like this: You are a store owner and you have several people running cash registers in your store. You did background checks on each one before hiring them, and they all had a criminal record. You’ve decided to allow them to work there anyway based on their claims that they can be trusted. You also decide that you are going to tell them the precise times that you are going to be in the store. Don’t you think that these employees, whether trustworthy or not, are going to be on their best behavior during the time periods that they know you will be there? What about the times that you are not there? You are going to want to know how they act when “nobody’s looking” and if they can really be trusted, right? I’d say the best way to do that is to pop in unannounced every now and then. That’s exactly what God is going to do. He doesn’t want us to live however we want, knowing we can straighten up right before he comes back. God wants us to live a life that would have us ready for judgement, regardless of when that judgement actually happens.
1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ 13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” – Matthew 25:1-13
We don’t know when he’s coming. But he IS coming. Be ready for it…whenever it comes. People who spent their days worrying about their last are most likely worried about the outcome of the events that will take place also. If you know where you’ll be when Jesus comes to judge the world, you don’t need to waste any time worrying about when it will be.
One thing is for sure: The end is not coming May 21st!
99 shades of grey 
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