A “Day” I’m looking forward to

2 Peter 3: ³ Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.

⁴ They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”

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Curiosity had gotten the best of me and finally I had to ask. “When will the world end?” The pastor I asked tried to brush me off by answering “That answer is in the book of Revelation, but you shouldn’t read it because you won’t understand it.” I’m actually glad he told this to me because that’s exactly what I did. I was a teenager so I had to do the opposite.

Over the next few decades other pastors spoke about JESUS’ return and named dates.  In fact some geographers state we only have three days left on earth because of an unfinished calendar created by a tribe. Why does this doomsday stuff sound like crazy talk?

• When I speak about the world ending without the right context, I seem like a weirdo.
• When I tell people JESUS is going to return and the “bad” people are going to get theirs meanwhile us goody, goodies are going to be saved, I can be exclusionary.
• When I see the end of the world as a solution to my problems I could be sadly mistaken unless I change my focus.

The sad news is this earth is cursed by GOD. When the first humans sinned, their bodies were changed and death was introduced. The Earth could no longer function as a paradise and all humans stopped seeking GOD. JESUS repaired the relationship with humans and built a new place for those who do not reject HIS “built in” word HE wrote on every heart.

• The basis of my belief in CHRIST is one day I will die and be with HIM eternally.
• The basis of my belief in CHRIST is HE died for my sins, enabling me to live, after this body dies.
• The basis of my belief in CHRIST is HE has built a new place and will return for me simply because I believe in HIS position as a savior and my need to be saved.

I am looking forward to HIS return, but I function day by day on what HE wants me to.

• Are you skeptical or scared of the “end of the world?”
• Can you stop focusing on the end and focus on the here and now namely showing GOD’s love?
• Won’t you stop trying to get revenge on “those” people by wanting the world to end?
• Can you modify your desire for the world to end tomorrow to give “that” person enough time to surrender their lives to GOD?

Is talking about the “Last Days” crazy?

Acts 2: ¹⁷ “‘In the last days, God says,

   I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy,

   your young men will see visions,

   your old men will dream dreams.

¹⁸ Even on my servants, both men and women,

   I will pour out my Spirit in those days,

   and they will prophesy.

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So many people have predicted the end of the world as we know it.  My skeptical mind shuns their psychic babble as each of their predictions have fallen by the wayside. Will there be an end to life as we know it? The Mayan’s said it is supposed to happen December 21, 2012. I wonder if I should plan a Christmas party next year!

• Sometimes I act like GOD will leave everything as is.
• Sometimes I don’t believe GOD will destroy what HE created.
• Sometimes I think GOD doesn’t really mean what HE says about the “last days.”

Quite honestly I don’t like talking about the “end” of life as we know it.  Just speaking about it places me in a group of “crazy” people who seem to have lost touch with reality. BUT GOD says something different.

• GOD says HE will pour out HIS SPIRIT on people.
• GOD says HE will enable people to talk about how great HIS SON is.
• GOD says HE is the only one who knows the true “end” of the world as we know it.

One of the mistakes made when talking about the end is telling people to do something incredibly different when in fact I believe we should “do” the same things but “act” differently. I mean I should go to work and plan vacations but carry GOD’s great news of forgiveness wherever I go.

My concern should be on the present, knowing GOD will return one day, I will focus on serving in the here and now.

• Do you believe GOD will return one day perhaps in your lifetime?
• Will you live your life in a way that enables others to believe in HIS SON?
• Won’t you stop worrying about the future and be present for those who need you?