“Just because you are still here doesn’t prove the rapture didn’t happen.” – Overheard on Twitter
Today was supposed to be the end of the world. A small Christian movement, led by Harold Camping who runs the Evangelical Network Family Radio, predicted that today would be Judgment Day. Camping’s prediction was based on a mathematical system he created to interpret prophecies hidden in the Bible.
Like most people, I was not alarmed by his prediction. I went about my usual business today. I even prepared a sermon for tomorrow just in case Camping was wrong. It turns out he was.
Jesus was right: “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the son, but only the Father” (Mark 13:32).
Charles Spurgeon was right: “We may make our prophetic charts if we like, but God will follow his own chart.”
However, I think Camping’s prediction, even though wrong, raises some important questions worth considering. For example: “If you knew that today was the last day, how would you spend it?”
Personally, I’d feel okay if my last day was like today. I awoke with the woman of my dreams. I cheered on my sons in their sports games (lacrosse and soccer) and marveled at the young men they are becoming. I held my five-year old daughter in my lap and told her how beautiful she is. I had a Jesus conversation with another parent in the stands, ate pizza with friends, and prepared a sermon for a church I love. I will go to bed grateful (and tired).
How about you?
Questions for self-reflection:
- Who do I wish I could spend more time with?
- With whom do I have unresolved issues?
- Who needs to hear me say, “I love you”?
- How is my relationship with Jesus?
- Am I diligently pursing the work God has given me in this world?
- Does the fact that Jesus did not return today make me happy or sad? Why is this so?
Hear again the words of Jesus:
Mark 13:32 (New International Version 1984)
32 “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”
8 Comments
My Last Day on Earth–
I had heard a rumor on AM560 that there was a man out there claiming to know that the last day on earth would be a certain date. The date he mentioned really hadn’t stuck with me and I enjoyed participating in the 2wordstory areawide free carwash with my family. I’m praying that some positive attitudes come out of this. Or more specifically “hilarious generosity”
Once again Scott you words truly spoke to my heart.
I saw people on the news reports partying, participating in pub crawls, and laughing at the “ridiculous” idea that the world was coming to an end. Like many other people, I made some jokes about it too with some of my friends. Then, I realized that it was not funny at all and God was probably not amused. What you wrote truly touched my heart and I am sharing it with others.
Last year I was admitted to the hospital suffering from heart failure. I could not sleep, breath and could harldly walk. I thought this is what my mother felt like at the time of her death. I contemplated my mortality and thought: Do you have faith or not?? I began to pray to God for forgiveness of my sins and no matter what the outcome to help me lead a life that would bring me closer to him. I then began to pray for others I know who needed help. I lost consiousness for a while and have recovered. My suggestion is to pray every prayer as if it were your last as it just might be.
Good thoughts, Gene. Pray (and live) every day as if it were your last.
Thanks, Sarah. You are always a great encourager.
Please go to the following link, read, and ask yourself “could future persecution of true repentant believers and followers of Christ come from some that consider themselves christians?”.
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=2569
Camping was and unfortunately still is a fraud. This was a campaign to gain scoffers. Those who are discounting biblical prophecy and the prophetic Word are growing. That in itself is a sign of the times in which we live. Peter called them, “scoffers.”
I love the sermons preached at Ward. I just hope some will include whats going on in the world today – so many earthquakes, killer tornadoes, mid-east, Israel, apostasies (ever so harder to discern), 2012, new age, ……well i could go on and on.
[click on my name and watch some of the videos, much better than TV]
Dear Lord Jesus, please open our eyes to the times we live in and let us see through prophetic eyes if you will, especially if the hour is urgent and your second coming is near. Amen.