“May 21st? Really?! How does he know if Jesus doesn’t?”
If you haven’t seen the “bullboards” sponsored by Family Radio and Harold Camping… you have now. You are also seeing the response from atheists.org and guess what… the atheists are right about May 21st. It appears that Harold Camping has “recalculated” his numbers and warns that the rapture of the church is coming on May 21st and the end of the world will be Oct 22nd. And yes, we say recalculated because this is Harold’s second date setting moment… and last we checked we’re still here. I guess Harold never read, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! (Mark 13:32-33)
And now, when we start receiving emails from young people who are wondering what’s true, we know we need to weigh in. Here’s our response in short form (and we could produce long form information as well but we will spare you =).
Misguided souls have been predicting the end since the beginning of time. Our concern is that when ignorant people who claim to be “Christians” make predictions, people who don’t know Christ or use proper Scriptural exegesis, think we’re ALL as ignorant as “that guy!” Consequently, it can motivate those who don’t know Christ to live like the end is never coming. So, let us go on record and tell you what we know about “the end.” We all have one. The mortality rate is still 100% and we are all going to enter eternity. Whether we enter eternity at the end or “THE END” we all have an expiration date.
So here’s the way we see it. Let’s live today like it matters. Let’s live in a way that discovers and reveals love for God, others and yourself. Operate by the Big Three: Worship, Work and Watch!
· Worship
The scripture says, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks… Say ‘No’ to ungodliness, and live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” (From Titus 2:11-14, John 4:23-24) If you haven’t opened your heart to Jesus and made Him the lover, leader and Lord of your life… do that today!
· Work
Dr. Luke tells us about Jesus’ end times strategy; “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said to them, ‘Occupy till I come.’ “…’Do business with this till I come.'” (Luke 19:13 AKJV & BBE Version) Get to work! Work to bring God’s Kingdom business to earth… the business of love, righteousness, peace and joy!
· Watch
Lastly, we are instructed to stay ready for anything – “Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24:40-42) Watch for the day when your work and worship are finished here… enter into the eternity you’ve begun here. Your life’s love and work will continue there at a whole ‘nother level!!
Hope you can join us for the last part of this “End of the World: Fact or Fiction” conversation on Sunday, live at 9:30am and 11:15am or online.
Worshiping, Working Watching!
P.S. For further help for now and then:
©2011 Scott & Clare Loughrige