May 21st? It's a long weekend isn't it? Maybe you have plans to get away. Maybe just get some things done at home when you have three whole days off. Or.....if you read the newspaper or watch the news you may have heard that Harold Camper has predicted that the world as we know it will end on May 21, 2011. He has spent lots of money to convey this message. He has posted billboards in the U. S. and Canada, and apparently even in Hamilton. He has studied the bible and believes that he has figured out mathematically when Jesus will return to rapture (take from the earth)the church......those people who are followers of Jesus Christ. I looked at his website. It is very elaborate and lengthy if you start reading what he has written. But there is one very big problem with what he is saying, and that is found in Matthew 24, "Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear. However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows." (Matthew 24:35-37).
So, do we write this prediction off as a crazy idea by a religious zealot? Well.....yes, and no. Is the world going to end on May 21st? ONLY GOD KNOWS. Because a man has taken it upon himself to proclaim this, something that is in God's hands, I would say that it will probably not happen on that day. But.....do you know that Christ IS RETURNING and IT MAY BE SOON!
Recently, we visited Myrtle Beach for a week, and stayed at a nice hotel where each morning we were given the newspaper USA Today. One day there was a very large article paid for by an unnamed individual entitled "8 Compelling Reasons Why: Christ is Returning Soon." I was amazed that a private individual would spend the money to post this in a national newspaper. This article does not predict when Jesus is returning, just that it may be VERY SOON.
I do believe that there are many signs that point to the soon return of Jesus, and many reasons were backed up with scripture in this article. To check out this go to www.jesussoonreturn.com
So the big question is......when WILL Jesus return? Could be tomorrow, could be next week, could be ten years from now. The question we need to ask ourselves is, "Am I ready to meet God?" no matter when that may be. We don't know when Jesus will return, but we do know that each one of us WILL DIE. It happens every day. Some people die after a long illness, and that is expected. But many people die unexpectedly.....a massive heart attack or stroke, a car accident, a plane crash. Death arrives unwelcomed, at inconvenient times or in tragic ways. YOU CANNOT AVOID DEATH! Hebrews 9:27 says "...each person is destined to die once, and after that comes judgement."
Yes, death is sure and we will all meet God to account for the life we lived on earth. You may be thinking, "Well, my life has been pretty good. I'm a pretty decent person, compared to most." That may be true, but guess what God's standard is? PERFECTION! Never a thought or action that was less than perfect. No little white lies, no selfish attitudes.....nothing. That may seem unrealistic, and yes, that's true, it is to us humans. The good news is.....that's why God sent Jesus. He came to provide a way for us to be reconciled to our Holy God. Jesus paid the price for all our wrongdoings (the bible calls it sin). He took our punishment when he died on the cross. You may be thinking "Great, then I guess I'm covered!" Well, kind of. Jesus paved the way to eternal life in Heaven with God. It is all his plan, and all his doing. Your part? Admit that you ARE a sinner, in need of someone to pay for your sins.....Christ's death on the cross in your place. Place your trust in Jesus, and make a decision to follow him. That means you will need to find out what it means to "follow Jesus". Look in the bible. It is God's letter to us. Why not start in the book of John?
So, what am I doing on May 21st. To be honest, I have no idea. But one thing I am sure of. If God calls me home on that day, I AM READY TO MEET HIM! ARE YOU?
Excellent post!!
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