You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it
that you are not alarmed (Matthew 24:6).
On March 11, 2011, a 9.0 earthquake rocks Japan, spawning a
tsunami that destroys the Fukushima Nuclear Reactor, precipitating a meltdown
of its fuel rods. When the dust settles, more than 15,000 are confirmed dead with
over 7,000 missing.
In May, a self-professed prophet warns the world that Christ
will return and judgment day will be on Saturday the 21st.
By June America’s heartland is under water with the worst
flooding in decades, while dry conditions in other parts of the country spark
the biggest wildfire in Arizona history.
Add civil unrest and conflict in the Middle East (at least
14 countries have recently been convulsed by violence), and anyone who’s ever
read the New Testament has to wonder, Could these be signs of the end
times?
In Matthew 24 when asked about the end of the age, Jesus
tells his disciples that it could happen almost any day because all the
conditions for his return would be fulfilled during their lifetimes. So the
early church wasn’t obsessing over signs like we do – they were anticipating
Christ himself.
Eugene Peterson captures this verse well: When reports
come in of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don’t panic. This is
routine history; this is no sign of the end (The Message).
TODAY’S MEDITATION
Consider the prospect of
Christ’s return. Does the subject fill you with anxiety, or with joy?
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