May 21st, it’s all over. Judgment day will come, and those found faithful will be taken into Heaven, and the rest will be left to the great tribulation until October 21st, when the world ends. Hmm, being sick and in bed for a week means I am watching way too much TV and probably spending a bit too much time on my laptop. But, this story was the “top story” on CNN’s front page this morning, link located at bottom. I usually steer far and wide from stories like this, but I was drawn in by curiosity, much like the bugs headed for the zapper that hangs from the patio. They just wanted to know what that blue light was, you know.
Okay, so let’s consider the idea that these folks might be right, and Jesus will return on the 21st of May. They were chosen to go out into the world and warn everyone that the end is near, so they are on this road trip spreading the word. Now to be fair, God has done this before you know, Jonah was sent to Nineveh (Jonah 1:1-2) to spread the word as a warning so that the people would change. Granted, he took a side trip through the belly of a beast (fish), but he got there finally and did what God said. Okay, I see some similarities.
You know, there was also another story that has some similarities to this one. Gen.6:13-14, . So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out.
So Noah and his family were the only ones in the know, and while they didn’t have a date circled on the calendar, they knew they had better hurry. Okay, I can see the similarities in Noah’s story and these folks predicting the end, and after all, God is God, He can do as He wishes right? I also suppose that Jesus is Jesus, and He can return whenever He wishes also. This group when asked how they came up with these dates pointed to their leader and a complex set of mathematical equations based on scripture that prove it.
They even address how the Bible says the in
Matt. 24:34-44, “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. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
According to these folks, these scriptures no longer apply. “The rules have changed, as the end approaches, and that God left “secrets” that were revealed in Daniel (wait, isn’t that the old law?). Okay, I got it now, there were a few secret scripture meanings that were unlocked by a series of complex mathematical equations that invalidate specific instructions left for us pertaining to this very subject by the Savior of the world.
Many years ago, a friend told me to never buy a Friday car. He explained that on Friday some of the autoworkers are thinking about the weekend, and they don’t pay as close attention to their work. Consequently, Friday cars have more problems than the ones built during the week, the result of taking ones focus off of the task at hand and focusing on the prize.
I suppose this is the point where I say I will pin my hopes on the blood of Jesus, the scriptures that God has breathed out for us, and just watch out for false prophets. I will always have a hard time believing that God left secret messages in His word to be interpreted to the chagrin of those not in the loop. The Word is for all, Jew and Gentiles, He loves us all equally and wants us to all be with Him in Heaven. The destination is ultimately important, but our focus needs to remain on the journey. God Bless
JFT
http://www.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/03/06/judgment.day.caravan/index.html?hpt=C1
I think my brother was telling my mom about this. ! I’m not as informed about the end times as some, but I do take Jesus at His word. If He said we wouldn’t know when exactly, then I am going with that. He did tell us some things to look for, and we are seeing those. Want to stay focused with you, Jim, on our journey here and now, on Jesus, on doing what He asks me to do today.
God bless you and yours, praying for His healing touch and comfort for your illness tonight!
Hi Deb,
I agree about the signs of the times, and we see them coming together in the world. It is tempting when we see things happening to get caught up in thinking “this is it”. I think for me it is easier to keep the focus on Him if I keep the distractions to a minimum, you know.
Thanks for your prayers, I haven’t been that sick in years, strep throat had me down for a while, but I am back to work now and feeling much better. God Bless
Jim