32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it[c] is near, right at the door. 34Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[d] but only the Father. (Matthew 24:32-36 NIV)
A lot of us poked fun at the end-of-the-world doom sayers. The Bible tells us confidently that NO one knows the day or the hour, except God the Father.
When you hear someone giving a date, be it 1972, 1994, 2011, 2012… you can depend on what the Bible says. No one knows. When someone gives us a date for the end of the world, they are manipulating. The question is why? Publicity, folks. I did NOT see, or hear anyone saying repent. What I heard is, “The end of the world is coming.” The end is coming, but NOT on man’s schedule.
The rapture or catching away spoken of in 1 Thessalonians 4:15 WILL happen. I believe we are the final generation. The time to prepare, is now. But what if I am wrong, and the rapture doesn’t happen in my lifetime? I have lived with this hope, all my life. It is called the blessed hope of the Church. But what if I am wrong? Phillipians puts it best:
21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. (Phillipians 1:21-24)
Rest assured Jesus will return for his followers. We shouldn’t follow anyone who sets dates. We should follow Christ, and his example. Be the best representative of Jesus and his love, to a lost and dying world.
We rush headlong sometimes, trying to get a person to the point of salvation. Instead, invest a little time in their lives first. Get to know someone, see things from their point of view, and share the gospel courteously, instead of cramming it down someone’s throat as happened to me this week. Be kind. Be gentle. LISTEN! We have 2 ears and 1 mouth. Listen twice as much! Let your life do the talking, not your mouth.
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (Rev 22:20 NIV)
Maranatha!
Wayno