And this is nothing new. Folks have been predicting the end of time since almost the beginning of time! Even in Jesus’ day, there was curiosity about when the world will end. And Jesus’ response was simple – “I don’t know. No one knows. Only God knows when that will happen, and so far, God’s not telling.” But the fascination continues.
Hollywood has gotten in on the act as well. Countless movies and films have not only tried to predict when it would happen, but also how. Asteroids and comets, nuclear annihilation, cosmic alien invasions, catastrophic disease outbreaks, and so on and so on. The topic feeds our curiosity, and fuels our imaginations. But Jesus said, “no one knows.”
So in the hubbub this past Saturday, I wondered if there wasn’t some kernel of truth to the rumor. I wondered if somehow the end might come – that this radio preacher might have gotten lucky in guessing the date and time – like hitting the odds in the lottery. What if the world was going to come to an end – maybe not last Saturday, or even next week, but sometime soon. And I began to wonder about some of the teachings that Jesus had said. Mark’s Gospel is written in such a way as to give a sense of indelible urgency to respond to Jesus’ invitation to join him in becoming a Kingdom people. “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near” we hear in Matthew’s Gospel. What if the nearness of the kingdom has nothing to do with the times, but with the soul? What if the nearness of the kingdom has to do with the proximity of the inviter, rather than the timeline of the world’s demise?
I actually had second thoughts. (I know, I know. I’m not supposed to fall victim to the ravings of a radio preacher.) It wasn't the radio preacher's prediction, but rather it was my relationship with Jesus himself that gave me pause to reflect. Jesus’ invitation to me (and to you as well) made me think about how faithful I have been lately, and wondered if I was “ready” should he come again today? And in that spirit, I began to evaluate my own life, my own faith, and my own witness. Jesus’ sermon kept coming back to me. “Repent…” Perhaps there might be some good that has come from the radio preacher’s message. If one person began to think about his or her relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, and repents, then maybe the message wasn’t necessarily a failure.
Still, I chose not to cash in my holdings…I might need them for the next time the world is supposed to come to an end…In the meantime, take this “second chance” as an opportunity to draw closer to God. Find yourself growing nearer to the likeness of Christ. Allow your spirit to be filled by the Holy Spirit. And become the person God created you to become. Because, “…the kingdom of heaven has come near…” See you in Church!
Grace and peace,
Brad
