"The End of the World"

Most of you have heard of the prediction by Harold Camping that the rapture and ensuing 'end of the world' will happen tomorrow starting at 7am in the UK. This is the not his first prediction, nor is it the first prediction of 'doomsday' or the 'end of the world.' As you are probably aware, many people (including Christians) are making great fun of this prediction with their prediction that the world will most certainly not end tomorrow.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to respond in two ways that appear to be a contradiction. First, we are to be eagerly longing for and looking for the return of Jesus! (Matthew 25, Revelation 22:17) It is with great hope that we look forward to the return of Christ, not so that we will be 'raptured' away and the rest of the world will be burned up, but because when Jesus returns the Kingdom will be made manifest in all of its glory! "Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever." That is worth getting excited about!!!

At the same time, we also say with humility that no one knows when that time will come except for God. Jesus said, "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man." (Matthew 24:36-37) Not only are Camping's predictions on shaky ground, but all those who seek to predict days and hours, seasons and time lines with certainty are missing the point. Most of these predictions come out of a miss understanding of what Jesus taught about the Kingdom.

The Kingdom of God is here, it is all around us, it is breaking in upon us in both startling and comforting ways. And you and are to be a sign of that Kingdom, a foretaste of that Kingdom, and an agent of that Kingdom in the world around us! We are not looking to be 'raptured' off to an alternate universe, but instead we pray the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples: "May Your kingdom come, and Your will be done on earth as it is in the heavens." (Matthew 6:9) While we pray we also live in such a way that we build for that Kingdom in the confident hope that Jesus will indeed return in all his glory and consummate the Kingdom of God on earth. “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:3-5) That is worth telling someone about!

So let me encourage you this day to look for opportunities to share the real message of God's Kingdom with those around you. As the topic of the 'end of the world' comes up...and it will...don't just make fun of Harold Camping, but instead take the opportunity to share about the Good News of the redemption, reconciliation, restoration, and renewal of all things through the death and resurrection of Jesus! Share with this person about how they can enter into that kind of life here and now, and in the afterlife.

Are you with me? Let's take this opportunity to share real hope...this open door won't last long!!