The End of Times . . .

I don’t suppose that I can think of anything that can get a bunch of God-loving, God-fearing, and God-serving folks to fussing and feuding amongst themselves as can the last book of the Holy Bible – Revelation. I can’t even explain how crazy I find that sad truth to be, but I do know it is true . . . I have actually watched it occur. It broke my heart as I observed it, and I wondered in my mind and heart how that complied with Jesus’ command that Believers are to love one another, or what the Apostle Paul wrote about in his great Love chapter in his letter to the Corinthians.

Here is the absolute truth:

1. God will have the final say;
2. The world (as we know it) is going to end;
3. The Lord Jesus Christ is coming again;
4. There are going to be people who go to Heaven and live with God throughout eternity;
5. There are going to be people go to a place called Hell — and live separated from God; and
6. Every person who has ever lived on earth is faced with a personal choice about Jesus and eternity!

The Apostle John wrote the Book of Revelation. He wrote it as he was commanded to write it . . . he simply reported what he heard and what he saw. In fact, he refers to it as the Revelation of Jesus Christ! He begins by addressing a group of Churches which Jesus tells what they did well and where they had short-comings. Modern day students begin to separate on who the Churches were and when they appeared in human history. Then those same students bicker over exactly at what stage of John’s writing Jesus actually returns. Each group actually has a label they proudly wear!

Good grief!! It ought to be enough that we know that He is coming again, and that when He does, He will make all things right! There is a whole mess of stuff that needs to be made right. We ought to rejoice in just knowing that everything works out right and that God is glorified in the process.

Mankind has always had an appetite to know intimate details on this subject — ever since Jesus announced to His disciples that He was going away, but would return again. Their interest was not nearly as much as to the “why” or “how” as it was about the “when” of it all. In fact, Jesus told them on one occasion, “That information is simply not something you need to know, it is something that the Father has reserved unto Himself.”

In spite of that powerful statement Jesus made, there have still been many, many books written on the subject. The majority of which argue the author’s beliefs . . . pretty much what he believes because someone taught him to believe that. Rarely does one find a book on the subject that simply encourages a Believer to delight, rejoice about, and prepare for the Lord’s return.

I am currently teaching Revelation in Sunday school. I am enjoying it, and I am being as absolutely honest as I know how to be with my class and, consequently say, “I simply don’t know” quite a bit, and I know some folks get weary of that because I can see in their eyes that they strongly believe they DO know.

A couple of weeks back Sandy, Chris, and I went into the Country Club dining room for Sunday lunch. The hostess asked if we had a reservation. We said that we did not. She tried to seat us at the first table, and I declined. Sandy asked why I didn’t want that table. I chuckled and said, “They always try to set the folks they think are idiots at that table.” My son Chris tends to be a smart aleck on occasion and said, “Well, at least idiots who fail to make reservations!” The dude made a great point!

Here is what we need to know about Revelation . . . It is going to be “game up” at some point and Jesus said there would be a dividing of the sheep (those who have made reservations) and the goats (those who have failed to make reservations).

It Seems to me . . . that wise and prudent people would do well to invest their time, energy, and influence with others in helping as many folks as possible make their reservation, and not spend any time foolishly arguing about things they simply do not and cannot know!

Revelation . . . what an exciting book! What a wonderful assurance that things end well! What a cause for celebration! We have a wonderful dwelling place and shall so be with the Lord forever . . . and it all begins on that great gettin’ up morning that draws closer as each day passes! Hope to see you up there.

I suggest that you crack open your Bible and read Revelation . . . there is a blessing promised to all who read it. I also encourage you to exercise some caution about who you tell about what you have read. Sadly, some folks can turn the glow up on their halo instantly when Revelation comes up. What a tragedy that is!

 

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