The end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine.

As you all know, there were rumors going around that the world was coming to an end on May 21st, 2011 at something like 6pm.  For reasons unbeknownst to most Christians, the media and, therefore, most Americans focused the spotlight on this false prediction by a man most of us have never even heard of.  Normally, I wouldn't even acknowledge this hoax but I believe there is something to learn from this experience and the only place to go is the source.  The facts are these:

Jesus said in Matthew 24:42-44 "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.  But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.  Therefore, you also be ready for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."

Really all of 2 Timothy 3 is a wonderful chapter to read on the end times, but I will narrow it to 2 Timothy 3: 13-15 "But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.  But you must continue in the things which you have learned and be assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Jesus Christ."

And lastly, 2 Peter 3: 3-4 "knowing this first:  that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation."

There are more references, but I believe these are some ones that truly apply to what we've seen over the weekend.  The wonderful thing is that we can rest in the fact that 1) If we know the Word of God then we will be prepared for what is to come, we are to keep a watchful eye and always be ready for Him to take us home and know to ignore the false prophecies and 2) Thank the Lord that He is gracious enough to give us more years, weeks, days, hours, minutes to bring our loved ones to knowing Him.

The day WILL come when we all go home.  If you believe that Christ is the Messiah and Son of God who came to wash away our sins and save us from hell, there should be joy in knowing He's coming soon (John 3:16).  Praise God for His promises!  This world is sucky, let's face it...it's crumbling around us.  We should always be about the Master's work with soberness and diligence (1 Thessalonians 5) because we don't know exactly when He is coming home.

My pastor made a good analogy to explain this.  He said that he was in daycare for a little while as a young boy.  He hated it.  He never wanted to be there and was always anxious for his parents to pick him up.  Every day, after nap time, the kids would sit in a circle and sing songs while waiting for parents to come.  My pastor knew that during song time, the parents started to come.  Sometimes his dad would come right away and sometimes his dad would come after a few songs.  My pastor, as a young boy, would sit in that circle with great eagerness and anticipation that his father was coming to get him.  He didn't know exactly when but he knew that the time had come and he was ready to go home.

Let's continue to press toward the promise God has given us that He will come to take us home and on that day He will wipe every tear from our eyes, with no more death, sorrow, or pain. (Revelation 21:4)

I can't wait!