Believe it or not, I heard once that the phrase, “May you live in interesting times” is actually a Chinese curse! But it does seem we live in interesting times. Of course some people are like what Jesus said about folks in the time of Noah, “they knew not till the flood came and carried them all away.” (Matthew 24:39) Some just never pay much attention to “the signs of the times” (Matthew 16:3).
On the other hand, there are a lot of people everywhere now who are really concerned that something serious is about to happen. Some thought that 2012 was extremely propitious and that omens abounded for sudden cataclysmic change. Others look at the economic situation in Europe and fear a further slide into times unseen since the 1930’s. And they know what those times brought on. Some closely watch events in the Middle East and see a potential horrific war resulting from a military attack by Israeli against Iran. And if you are an American, you may see dire consequences if the presidential candidate you opposed in the election won the presidency. All in all, there are quite a lot of folks who are seriously concerned about the current crises that are bubbling and boiling around the world.
But not everyone. Perhaps equally if not more are the people who don’t notice or just aren’t disturbed by the current crises. Many are completely preoccupied with their own personal difficulties of finding a job, paying their bills and taking care of their families. And the rest see “the distress of nations, men’s hearts failing them for fear” (Luke 21: 25 & 26) but don’t feel things will get out of hand. Like the saying goes in Australia, “It’ll come round, mate.” Which translates to, “Everything will be ok” or “Don’t worry, be happy.”
But if you’re a Christian and look for times that foreshadow the ones leading up to the Lord’s return, then all this does take on a larger dimension. Are we seeing events that will lead into the final days that Jesus and Jewish prophets foretold? And here is where things get even more divided.
Many are adamant that “this is it”. Conspiracy theories abound. On the other hand, those who don’t believe any of that are equally resolute. They assert that talk of the collapse of society and the economy, a looming one world government and such assorted fears are just coming from absolutely nuts, crazy kooks and often deluded religious extremists.
Who’s right? Is something about to happen? Should we be prepared? Is there even any way to prepare? Which side are you on? Which side am I on?
Here’s what I think: be prepared either way. Honestly, I’ve felt something dire was possibly very near. But I’ve felt that for over 40 years. You may not agree but I believe the world is pretty much held together by belief or confidence. And confidence is fragile, for individuals, societies or the world at large. In my life I came to where God in heaven just pulled the plug on it because I was so far out of His will. And also He had a better plan for me. So He in essence said, “Time’s up.” In the Bible God is quoted as saying, “My Spirit will not always strive with man, for he that being often warned and hardens his heart shall suddenly be destroyed.” (Genesis 6:3, Proverbs 29:1) And on the other hand, God is more patient and merciful than any of us can imagine. But it can come to a time, a tipping point when the goose is cooked, the genie is out of the bottle and you can’t go back to Kansas, to mix several metaphors there.
Will that happen? When? Will we just have another 50 years of muddling through? Or are we really nearing a precipice, descending into worldwide chaos, leading to the final events foretold in the Bible?
I’ve tried to be prepared either way. I want to live for the world to come. That means not placing my trust in “uncertain riches” (I Timothy 6:17) or “laying up treasures on earth” (Matthew 6:19). It means that I put my relationship with the Lord first and I’m prepared, as much as is possible, for any sudden events, local or national. My “weapons” and defense aren’t based on physical things, guns or militias. My preparedness is in and of the Spirit of God. My dependence is on His protection and provision. If I’m doing that, then come what breakdown or disruption may be, I’ve put my trust in the “System” that’s never going to break down, the “government” that’s never going to fail me, and the one that’s ultimately going to survive and run this world the way it should be run. Either way, approaching chaos or another 50 years of surviving the storms of this world, my choice is to settle my life on the Rock of God and His will and blessings. What do you think? I hope you’ll do the same.
There is a belief that the fundamental difference between the Old Testament and New Testament is the dichotomy of the God of Fear (OT) and the God of Love (NT). The prophesies of the coming of Christ were foretold as the Lamb of God, the King of Peace, in a world where the Jews lived in fear of God, and Passover, the feast of looking back on the history of the Jews, was in reverence to how they had survived God’s vengeance.
It is not happenstance that Jesus conception (not his birth) took place during the feast of the Passover, which is also the equinox entering into Aries the Ram. While the past was represented by the power of the Ram, the future will be ruled by the love of the Lamb.
Every feeling and thought in our being is based on two fundamental experiences… love and fear. The difference between humanity and any other animal in existence, is that we were given the power to choose love over fear. It is a conscious choice, and it is ours to make.
With love or fear in mind, everystep we take, brings us closer to God (love), away from God (fear), or no where at all (inaction).
When God gave his only Son to us, and for us, Jesus life, death and resurrection is the perfect human example of choosing love over fear… and being closer to his Father, in every step he took. That choice, the choice of love, is how we are called to prepare and be ready for Jesus return, during these dark days of fear.
As disciples of Christ, we are called to be disciples of love… and the source of our love lies deep within the hearts of every being on this planet… we have the opportunity to change the world… if we harness the love of humanity that exists within us all.
Sounds right to me. I was an active atheist till I was nearly 21. But it was a near death experience that showed me the reality of the spiritual world and that I was living and operating in the world of darkness, without the Spirit of God. So I had a “Damascus road” experience. But it has since then been a lifetime of daily choosing the light and the love of God against the fears and darkness that is a part of every human being and also so much a part of this world. “God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.” I John 1:5. That was a verse someone shared with me the day I received the Lord and was born again. And it’s one I really needed as I’d been buffeted and dominated by the darkness for years.
In every word you share with us, comes the truth of the light. Thank you.