The End of the World

In the last five months, the world has NOT ended three times.

Jesus did not come back on the Feast of Trumpets last September.  The Mayans hadn't actually predicted the collapse of civilization. And 2012 Asteroid DA-14 did not cause an extinction level event.

I found myself watching each approaching time and holding my breath in a way, wondering how it would play out.  I was pretty sure we were wrong about the Mayan calendar for a very Biblical reason. But I wasn't sure about the other two events.

Jesus said, "...The son of man will come at an hour you do not expect him." Luke 12:40

I wasn't wrong to be looking for Him to come back.  The beginning of that verse says, "You also must be ready..."  I was ready.  I was eager.

But, looking back, I managed to tie myself up in knots thinking about what I still needed to do before the end.  I made myself anxious for nothing. I admit that I'm an expert at doing that. It causes me grief - and all for nothing.

Jesus says we won't be especially aware of the time when He will come. I ought to make that part of my daily understanding and do whatever I know or believe I should do for those around me and to spread God's glory. Then I won't have to wonder if I've done what I was supposed to do when He does show up.

God bless us all,

Kathi Linz

December 21, 2012

With all the hype about the world coming to an end - or the world/humanity changing in some quantum way - I have a thought or two on the subject.

Please remember that the Mayans worshipped a snake, Quetzalcoatl or Kukulkan.  While I respect their expertise in astronomy and time-keeping, (and make no mistake, they were masters at both), I distrust their source of information for any prophecies they left for us to find.

Nostradamus came up with his predictions by scrying, that is, staring into a bowl of water or crystal ball.  God says we should not tolerate anyone who uses divination or witchcraft, one who interprets omens, a sorcerer, one who casts spells, a medium, a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.  Deut. 18:10-12

Nostradamus's poems are approximately as general as an astrological forecast which can be read by individuals to mean whatever they think it ought to mean.  A few lines seem to be close to something that actually happened.  God says, "When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken.  The prophet has spoken presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him." Deut. 18:22

As for December 21, 2012, here's what the Bible says: Be on the alert for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.  For this reason you must also be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will." Matt. 24:42, 44  (Bold letters are mine.)  Since so many people think something big, possibly Jesus' return will be on that day, you can be pretty sure He will not choose that particular day.

My preference is during the Feast of Trumpets.  Odds are that He won't pick those days either.  Sigh

If you are curious for expanded information on this topic, I highly recommend Mark Hitchcock's book 2012: The Bible and the End of the World.  Good book.

God bless us with His peace in these times.

Kathi