End of the World?

Sunday, December 16, 2012

          I got all kinds of mixed up about the end of the world thing.  I thought the Mayan calendar ran out on 12-12-12.  So, as I have been telling anybody who will listen, I put off doing all my paperwork and distasteful tasks until December 13.  Then I thought, “Oh well, the world hasn’t ended.  I might as well get on with things.”

          Then somebody told me the magic date is actually December 21, 2012.  Boy, am I upset.  I did the darn paperwork and other tasks.  I am all caught up – darn it!

          Now I know that the insert magazine in the Sunday paper reported last week, that the report of the earth’s demise, like the mistaken report of Mark Twain’s death has been greatly exaggerated.  But, I am still thinking a lot about the end of this world. 

          As I read scripture, it can’t be a bad thing. 

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 1Corinthians 15:51-52

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

          We will be with the Lord forever.  I will be with my wife and children forever.  I will be with my parents forever.  I will be with you and EVERY BELIEVER of all-time forever.  I can’t wait to see my folks again and to actually meet my grandpa who died before I was even born!

          And we will be so happy: Death, senseless murder, hate, mourning, abuse, bigotry, sexism, bullying, and all that isn’t of God will disappear forever.

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:1-4

          And just think what we will gladly get to do for all eternity!  Praise.  Worship.  Love.  Be loved.  With the Angels of the Lord we will surround the Throne of God and day and night without ceasing sing: “Holy, holy, holy the Lord God the Almighty who was and is and is to come.” Revelation 4:8.

          No, the end of the world does not sound too bad.  It isn’t as if I am pining for it.  But, I sure don’t fear it.  Whatever God’s plan, it is alright by me.  As the Apostle Paul wrote:

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you (for Christ’s ministry) that I remain in the body. Philippians 1:21-24

          I’m good if the Lord ends the world today and I’m good if we still have work to do here. In the end it comes down to Christ’s perfect prayer, “Thy will be done.”

Grace and Peace,

Steve Nofel

View Blog Home Page