Posted on 05/13/2011 7:18:37 AM PDT by Bed_Zeppelin
The ending of the world has long been a matter of speculation. Many thought it was coming with the new millenium not so many years ago. It didn’t. In the early days of the world people thought a solar eclipse meant the end of the world. It didn’t. Between then and now the world’s end has been predicted over and over. We’re still here.
Time and time again the signs have been “read” and a prediction made. Time and time again the seers have been wrong. Jesus repeatedly refused to allow himself to be caught up in speculation, stating that even he did not know when the time would be. So how can any of us be so presumptive?
One of the latest, relevant predictions comes from a Mayan tablet, which was found during an excavation bearing the date December 21, 2012.1 It seemed to indicate something was to occur on that date, but it doesn’t say what that event will be.
Whether the Mayan calendar shows the world will end on a given date can be answered by the Mayans themselves. They are surprised; they know of no such theory related to 12/21/12. In an article by author Mark Stevenson, he states, “A significant time period for the Mayas does end on the date. . . But most archaeologists, astronomers and Maya say the only thing likely to hit Earth is a meteor shower of New Age philosophy, pop astronomy, internet doomsday rumors and TV specials. . .”
Further on in the article it states that “Archaeologist Guillermo Bernal of Mexico’s National Autonomous University ... notes there are other inscriptions at Mayan sites for dates far beyond 2012—including one that roughly translates into the year 4772.”2
So why would the Mayans be concerned with anything beyond December 2012 if the world is to end then? Clearly it’s another bid for sensational publicity.
Christians need have no part in all of this conjecture.
Jesus speaks about the coming of the Kingdom of God. As Christians we see the future Kingdom as fulfillment of the promise of a new order. It’s a good thing. It will be the end of all things as we now know them and is indeed the end of the world.
For those who do not follow the teachings of Christ only an ending is known to them, an ending that comes out of major destruction. A new order is not part of their understanding. So they look for signs, such as certain dates, in order to know when the end will come, presumably to make some preparation. Even from the time of the book of Daniel Jewish apoloclypic writers were concerned with signs of the last days.
In Mark 13:32 Jesus says,
But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch; for you do not know when the time will come.
Furthermore, there will be no prior indication that momentous things are about to happen, just as in the days of Noah, when the doubters weren’t prepared for the flood and continued eating, drinking, marrying (Luke 17:26-27), and Lot, when Sodom was obliteraterated by fire and brimstone without warning to any except Abraham and Lot (Luke 17:29). Once the kingdom is upon us, there will be no time for anything. Those who sought to make their lives secure by following their own paths to success will find that all they have done was to lose the life that was more important in the long run. Those who were obedient to Jesus, who did not regard their mortal lives as of primary importance, will find that they have gained eternal life.
It is a good thing not to know the hour, not to be caught up in the mode of fear and panic, wasting our days in idle speculation. If we were to know when the end was to be we would be lured to give in to the temptations of this world, unfitting behavior for Christians. We would be tempted to believe that when the signs come we will then have time to repent and be ready to go with him to Heaven.
What kind of discipleship is that? What kind of love and loyalty does that prove? We could be tempted to allow ourselves to be caught up in the cares of living in this world, worrying about things that have no significance for the coming kingdom. Having our minds thus occupied we could find ourselves unprepared.
It is a good thing to live every day of our lives as though it were the last, whether because death will take us or because time as we know it will end. In I Corinthians 7:17, Paul says, “...let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you.” Meaning we are to use God’s gifts to bring others into the kingdom in whatever time there is.
If we do this we will always be ready. There will be no reason for last minute, panic repentance, which can hardly be sincere having come from the selfish desire to save ourselves rather than from the loving desire to live God’s love on earth for the salvation of others. The prayer that Jesus counsels (Luke 21:36) is for “strength to escape all these things,” meaning the dissipated life of earthly pleasures and concerns mentioned earlier in this passage, so that we will be able to concentrate on our spiritual lives, thus enabling us “to stand before the Son of Man” unashamed.
There is the story in Matthew 25 of the wise and foolish maidens. Ten young women of the bridal party were to meet the bridegroom when he came. Five brought extra oil; five did not. The bridegroom was late and when he arrived the wise maidens trimmed their lamps and went out to meet him. While the others went to try to buy oil the door to the feast was closed. Jesus says, in verse 13, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
True followers of Christ will trust and obey. For those who have chosen to be obedient to God, to follow in The Way, as Paul later calls Christianity, instead of being a fearsome time it will be a time to raise their voices in rejoicing. Why? Because this is the time when his obedient followers will be gathered together in the presence of our returning Lord Jesus the Christ.
www.patburt.com
“Foolish” is far, far too kind a descriptor.
I took a cab the other day and the guy had a 5/12/11 end of days sticker on his dash. At the end of the trip, I paid exact change and stiffed him on a tip explaining that he certainly won’t need it. it’s the only time in my life I haven’t tipped someone. And it felt good.
(5/21, not 5/12)
Watch out. Someone who calls herself “Outlaw Woman” on this forum told me I am a “nasty individual” for pointing out the May 21, 2011 prediction.
Matthew 24: 26-27
“So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.
For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”
Those that predict such things do a great disservice to the Christian faith.
If the sky opens up on that day and all these things come to pass as predicted, I will repent. Will those who made this prediction repent when May 22nd comes along and nothing has changed? No! They will merely claim they miscalculated.
The Maya conceived of time as a never ending circle. So it is just ignorant to interpret one of their end of cycle periods as the end of everything.
Full disclosure: I was called a “nasty individual” for pointing out the May 21, 2011 prediction and asserting that anyone who presumes to predict such a specific date is a nut job. I stand by my assertion. :) I’ll try to remember to ping you on May 22 — if we’re still here.
Luk 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
That “when ye think not” probably eliminates May 21, 2011 since Harold Camping made his prediction. ;oD I’m expecting The Lord’s return, but on no particular day.
I’ll be looking forward to that. :)
Nothing wrong with being excited about the coming of the Lord. But predicting the date sets one up to look like a goofball.
There is one scripture that has piqued my interest however, if someone would care to explain what it means...
“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” Matt 24:32-34
“There is one scripture that has piqued my interest however, if someone would care to explain what it means...
“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” Matt 24:32-34” ~ Bed_Zeppelin
Try this:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/981906/posts?page=3D22#22
Thanks!
“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” Matt 24:32-34
The fig tree has always bee associated with Israel. In Psalm 90 Moses states the length of a mans life as three score and ten. Israel will 70 years old in 2018. Yah'shua is saying that we will know the season of His coming
shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach
“But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” — Matthew 24:36
Good answer.
You’re welcome!
Thank you!
“... anyone who presumes to predict such a specific date is a nut job. I stand by my assertion. :)” ~ La Lydia
But the leading “end-times” nut-jobs are usually very “wealthy” nut-jobs. :)
For only _one_ instance:
Hal Lindsey’s [failed] Prophecies (Part One)
A Study of The Late Great Planet Earth
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Agora/3958/hal1.htm
By David Mathews
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