The End of the World

Facebook, news media, headlines are all talking about "Judgement Day".  Today is supposed to be the day that the rapture is to take place according to Harold Camping and his followers.  Many laugh and then some believe it will take place today.  What do you think?

The subject came up last night at a wedding rehearsal dinner I was attending.  The question was asked to me (since I was the "preacher" I guess), "What do you think?"  My response was, "the Bible states no man knows the day or hour..."  If asked if I think the end of the world is taking place today, my response would have to be "I don't know."  Personally I don't think that God would send His son Jesus back to earth just to make a man's prediction come true.  But I really do believe that Jesus could come back at any moment.

Many thoughts race through my head about this prediction. Here are just a couple.

First, many people just dismiss it and say the people who believe this are crazy.  I do believe it may damage the validity of people who really are prophets, teachers, preachers, evangelists, apostles, etc because we some how get "lumped" in the same group as this man who is predicting the end of the world.

Secondly, what would take place if we really did believe that Jesus was coming back today?  What would you be doing?  Would you live differently if you did know the date?  I doubt it.  I really believe that we would still be living the way we live and at the "deadline" we would repent and have a change of heart.  Maybe that is why Jesus said that no one will know when it will take place.  It may be that our Heavenly Father really does want us to live everyday as if it were our last.  I know I would probably re-prioritize a few things.  Wouldn't you?

So, my conclusion is simple.  Today could or could not be the day of the rapture.  The point is we DON'T KNOW the hour or day so we should be living everyday as if it could happen at any moment. 

"I KNOW!"

I'm sure that most everyone and every family have their "morning routines".  We definitely do at our house.  Each person has a time when they wake up and begin their routine for the day.  Our routine will vary somewhat depending upon our schedules and meetings, but usually I take Mitchell to school because Ashlyn and Krystal are both going to the high school. 


Me and Mitchell have a "routine" when we are driving up to Northside Elementary.  Our conversation goes something like this as we approach the drop-off line: 
Me:  "Unbuckle and get your backpack ready."
Mitchell:  "Okay"
Me (as we approach):  "Mitchell you are going to have a great day because you are blessed and highly favored of the Lord."
Mitchell:  "I know and you are too."
Me (as he is getting out):  "Have a great day and I love you." 
Mitchell:  "okay" or "love you too" ~ sometimes he is so ready to get out, he doesn't say anything.

This morning was just like all the rest but this time Mitchell said something when he was getting out of the truck at the drop off line that took me back...at first.
 Me:  "Have a great day and I love ya lil' man."
 Mitchell:  "I Know." (nonchalantly)

The following thoughts rushed through my mind quickly,  "What?  Not a 'I love you too'?  Do you not love me?  Hey, you can't get out of this truck until you tell me you love me back."  Were my feelings hurt?  Well maybe for a nano second.  Then my heart became filled with gratitude and joy.  "He KNOWS that I love him."  Wow!  He doesn't wonder about it.  He doesn't question if I do.  He just simply knows. 

Isn't the same with our heavenly Father?  We don't have to wonder about it.  We don't have to doubt it or question if He does.  We can just simply KNOW that He loves us. 

John 3:16 says it all, "For God so LOVED the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life."

I'm glad that Ashlyn & Mitchell both KNOW that I love them.  They don't doubt it or question if I do.  They just know.

Just know that God really does love His children.