I might as well weigh in on this. Apparently there’s this fellow, Harold Camping, who heads up a church ministry somewhere, and who has quite a following. If I’m understanding the news stories right, he claims the world will end tomorrow, Saturday May 21; I think I heard at 6 p.m., but I don’t know what time zone; God’s judgement will soon follow.
Now, I try not to discuss religion much here, most of my readers know me and have an idea what I believe. Perhaps someday I’ll start another blog with a more pointed message, “Life as I see it…Here’s the Truth”!
The last thing I want to do here on Poppy’s Front Porch is to start arguments about religion. My vision for The Porch is still to reminisce about good times, and create something new from time to time…come to The Porch! We’ll have fun!
But now I think a bit of personal background is in order. Yes, I am a Christian, I have been since age 11 when I was baptized and received into membership in the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Here’s part of what I believe…
Humanity was created to serve God and live in fellowship with Him. But as a result of Adam and Eve’s rebellion, we are estranged from Him and spiritually dead through our first parents’ original sin, inherited through the generations; not to mention the multitude of our own sins. All of us in our natural state are fallen and unable to reach God’s perfection. By ourselves we cannot avoid death and God’s judgment and punishment.
That’s all people through all time…with one exception.
In God’s plan of redemption when the time was right, the eternal God the Son was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary. Born in Bethlehem, Jesus Christ of Nazareth taught, called disciples, healed the sick, and performed miracles. More than that, everything Jesus said and did was in complete obedience to the will of God the Father. His life of humble service was a life of perfect faith and purity. He never missed the mark, and there was no sin in Him.
But most of all, He came to ransom us. Offering himself a sacrifice on the cross, Jesus took on our sins – all of them – and took the Father’s wrath against sin in our place, to the point of death and the grave. On the third day, God raised him from the dead, and Jesus appeared to many of the disciples, who witnessed this new life. Days later, he ascended to His Father’s heavenly kingdom.
Our old sinful human nature, does not, cannot accept any of this. This one faith that saves is strictly a grace gift from God, a work of the Holy Spirit.
So what about this end of the world and imminent judgement day prediction?
As a Christian, I do believe everyone will stand before God eventually. At some point in time there will be a judgement day, Jesus Himself spoke of this. And it could happen in my lifetime, though I suppose it’s as likely – if not more likely – that due to some reason or circumstance I’ll draw my last breath and pass away as my parents, grandparents, and for that matter everyone else who has lived their natural span has done up until now.
My problem with Mr. Camping’s prediction is (and I’ll bet you’ve heard this before and were waiting for me to get to the point) found in Mark chapter 13. Jesus had spoken to his disciples about the coming downfall of the temple in Jerusalem, and Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him when this would happen. Jesus then warned them not to be deceived by false prophets who would come in His name, and not to be alarmed by wars and rumors of wars, and earthquakes in various places. Then…
“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.” (Mark 13:32-33 – also see Matthew 24:36).
This speaks to me of considering every day a grace gift, and a reminder to walk in the faith daily. Apparently Mr. Camping thinks he’s seen hints in scripture that clue him in to when the day and the hour will be. As interesting as such number crunching might be, it’s just not the way we’re meant to read God’s plain word.
I’m concerned that all this numerology does is set his group up to be a laughingstock on Sunday May 22, when the day dawns normally and everything will be business as usual. Worse than that, scoffers in the secular media will jump at the excuse to paint all Christians with a broad brush and call us all fools. Well, not that they need that excuse, unbelievers do that anyway.
For what it’s worth, I can vouch for the fact that most Christians I know aren’t worked up about this. All the chatter I've heard has been news articles on the internet and one mention on the local TV news.
The funny thing is, if it weren’t for the media, I never would have heard of Harold Camping. I think I did see one of the billboards, but as I was watching traffic to merge to an exit lane, I didn’t even notice who was claiming the end of the world.
I fully expect to see 6 p.m. come and go Saturday without incident, except for the media fuss about the botched prediction.
Of course I could be wrong, but in this case that would surprise me.
Showing posts with label The Bible. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Bible. Show all posts
Friday, May 20, 2011
Friday, December 24, 2010
Christmas Eve 2010
These may not be scripture verses that you usually associate with Advent or Christmas, but they've been on my mind a lot lately.
Mt. 9:11-13
v 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”
v 12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
v 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Jesus didn’t come only for those who appear righteous, but as we sing in the hymn Amazing Grace, He “saved a wretch like me”.
That gives me hope. Merry Christmas!
Mt. 9:11-13
v 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”
v 12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
v 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Jesus didn’t come only for those who appear righteous, but as we sing in the hymn Amazing Grace, He “saved a wretch like me”.
That gives me hope. Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
The Evening Rambler for April 14, 2010 (Tax Day Eve)
When I was younger, my dad would deliberately wait until April 15th to send in his tax return. Mind you, he already had it done, but the IRS wasn't going to get his check any earlier than necessary. His quiet mannered form of protest, I suppose.
He got audited one year; someone at the IRS questioned the amount he deducted for meals and lodging. Gee, I wonder if they looked at the line where dad wrote his occupation...Airline Pilot. Do you suppose staying at a lot of motels when he was away from home and eating out in restaurants had anything to do with that? Anyway, I could tell he was steamed, and I remember him putting all the receipts - he'd saved each and every one, of course - in a shoebox and wrapped it up.
It was a Big shoebox. It could be he took it to the local IRS office, or maybe he mailed it in; I'm not sure now (this was back in the 1960's). Long story somewhat shorter...he got the box back; as if to say "You're okay, never mind".
For some years I followed in the wait until April 15th tradition, but in recent years I've opted to get it done early and save the last minute rush.
So this isn't really about taxes, that's not what I sat down to blog about anyway.
Let's see, where was I...
Easter 2010 was a quiet day, just the family. Church was good, and I had it in mind to choose a particular scripture from the service or line from a hymn to post here, as a follow up to my Good Friday post. But I couldn't choose, it was all good and encouraging. Choose your favorite Gospel account and read the whole thing.
He is risen indeed!
The passage that did catch my attention was from a devotion for Monday, April 12th, titled "Our Certain Hope in Christ". Romans 8:38-39 has been a favorite passage of mine for years, but the devotion began earlier, and I was struck by the power of the statement in these preceding verses (31-37), and it stayed with me since...
31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died - more than that, who was raised to life - is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: "for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (New International Version, italics mine for emphasis)
There will be big news tomorrow. Daughter number one is scheduled for a c-section to deliver her second child.
The word excited doesn't begin to cover it here.
He got audited one year; someone at the IRS questioned the amount he deducted for meals and lodging. Gee, I wonder if they looked at the line where dad wrote his occupation...Airline Pilot. Do you suppose staying at a lot of motels when he was away from home and eating out in restaurants had anything to do with that? Anyway, I could tell he was steamed, and I remember him putting all the receipts - he'd saved each and every one, of course - in a shoebox and wrapped it up.
It was a Big shoebox. It could be he took it to the local IRS office, or maybe he mailed it in; I'm not sure now (this was back in the 1960's). Long story somewhat shorter...he got the box back; as if to say "You're okay, never mind".
For some years I followed in the wait until April 15th tradition, but in recent years I've opted to get it done early and save the last minute rush.
So this isn't really about taxes, that's not what I sat down to blog about anyway.
Let's see, where was I...
Easter 2010 was a quiet day, just the family. Church was good, and I had it in mind to choose a particular scripture from the service or line from a hymn to post here, as a follow up to my Good Friday post. But I couldn't choose, it was all good and encouraging. Choose your favorite Gospel account and read the whole thing.
He is risen indeed!
The passage that did catch my attention was from a devotion for Monday, April 12th, titled "Our Certain Hope in Christ". Romans 8:38-39 has been a favorite passage of mine for years, but the devotion began earlier, and I was struck by the power of the statement in these preceding verses (31-37), and it stayed with me since...
31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died - more than that, who was raised to life - is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: "for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (New International Version, italics mine for emphasis)
There will be big news tomorrow. Daughter number one is scheduled for a c-section to deliver her second child.
The word excited doesn't begin to cover it here.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
In various places
With all the coverage of January's earthquake tragedy in Haiti, I guess I'm sensitive to such news; so I took note of Friday's earthquake in Japan. Kind of a big one, but Japan has quakes fairly often and they are more prepared to deal with them.
Today's news of the massive earthquake in Chile - some say the fifth most powerful in recorded history - did get my attention. My guess is that the death toll will be much lower than in Haiti due to the better construction, even though it was a more powerful quake. That said, what a calamity. The destruction must be enormous, and we'll get a better idea of that as the days roll on.
And just try to imagine the colossal amount of energy released, to send waves across the world's largest ocean - one fourth of the Earth's surface! - to a height of six feet in Hawaii. Such things are measured, but I can't grasp it.
Earlier today I was reminded of a Bible verse...Jesus had just told his disciples that a time would come when the temple would be thrown down; not one stone would be left upon another. Three of the disciples asked,
"Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled" (Mark 13:4, NIV)
Jesus replies, speaking of false Christs, and wars and rumor of wars, then
"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains." - Mark 13:8 (NIV)
A familiar verse, and I remember hearing it mentioned often in the 1970's, when Hal Lindsay's book "The Late Great Planet Earth" came out, and Biblical prophecies of the "end times" were discussed. This seemed quite a new thing to us young Christians. Nothing wrong with studying scripture, but looking back now it seems we were so focused on the end of the world that that study took on a life of it's own.
No one in my circle of friends was totally convinced - we didn't sell out and head for the hills to await the end - but most of us thought there was something to this talk. I recall one conversation when the question came up, would we make it out of the seventies? Good question...boy, I don't know.
But you can't worry about such things, and after all,
"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come." (Mark 13:32-33, NIV)
So the decades continued to roll, 1980 came, then 1990, 2000, and now 2010. Our lives continue, and even among those of the faithful, we've taken on a lot of cares. Speaking for myself, I now have the attitude of yes, Jesus spoke of the end times among many other things, but until He returns I have to walk in faith every day. I'm just not as focused on those exciting passages now, as I was in my college days.
That said, Jesus did tell his followers to be alert for such signs. And I do remember someone back then interpreted the "birth pains" in verse 8 meaning that earthquakes would occur closer together and be stronger.
I don't really expect another major earthquake in another place tomorrow (I'm not talking about aftershocks in Chile here). But just in case one does occur somewhere else, that will grab my attention.
Today's news of the massive earthquake in Chile - some say the fifth most powerful in recorded history - did get my attention. My guess is that the death toll will be much lower than in Haiti due to the better construction, even though it was a more powerful quake. That said, what a calamity. The destruction must be enormous, and we'll get a better idea of that as the days roll on.
And just try to imagine the colossal amount of energy released, to send waves across the world's largest ocean - one fourth of the Earth's surface! - to a height of six feet in Hawaii. Such things are measured, but I can't grasp it.
Earlier today I was reminded of a Bible verse...Jesus had just told his disciples that a time would come when the temple would be thrown down; not one stone would be left upon another. Three of the disciples asked,
"Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled" (Mark 13:4, NIV)
Jesus replies, speaking of false Christs, and wars and rumor of wars, then
"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains." - Mark 13:8 (NIV)
A familiar verse, and I remember hearing it mentioned often in the 1970's, when Hal Lindsay's book "The Late Great Planet Earth" came out, and Biblical prophecies of the "end times" were discussed. This seemed quite a new thing to us young Christians. Nothing wrong with studying scripture, but looking back now it seems we were so focused on the end of the world that that study took on a life of it's own.
No one in my circle of friends was totally convinced - we didn't sell out and head for the hills to await the end - but most of us thought there was something to this talk. I recall one conversation when the question came up, would we make it out of the seventies? Good question...boy, I don't know.
But you can't worry about such things, and after all,
"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come." (Mark 13:32-33, NIV)
So the decades continued to roll, 1980 came, then 1990, 2000, and now 2010. Our lives continue, and even among those of the faithful, we've taken on a lot of cares. Speaking for myself, I now have the attitude of yes, Jesus spoke of the end times among many other things, but until He returns I have to walk in faith every day. I'm just not as focused on those exciting passages now, as I was in my college days.
That said, Jesus did tell his followers to be alert for such signs. And I do remember someone back then interpreted the "birth pains" in verse 8 meaning that earthquakes would occur closer together and be stronger.
I don't really expect another major earthquake in another place tomorrow (I'm not talking about aftershocks in Chile here). But just in case one does occur somewhere else, that will grab my attention.
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