Two Years to the End

Two Years to the End
By Brenda Black

Chicken Little couldn't hold a candle to throngs who wail the sky will fall in 2012. Movies abound concerning the end of time on planet earth, derived from secular, Christian, New Age, Indian folk lore and Nostradamus concepts. Though socially and religiously as different as the beginning is to the end, many of these diverse groups have cinematic productions that share the belief that something monumental will happen in December of 2012. That leaves us just two years!

Certainly prophets and lunatics, evangelists and scientists have predicted the end of the world since it's inception. Whether the final curtain falls in 2012 or not is not the question. The question is are you ready to meet your Maker. If people spent more time living today as if there were no tomorrow, our world wouldn't be in such a hullabaloo over dates and disasters.

Think of it this way: If you knew without a shadow of a doubt that you had only two years left in your life, how would you live it? Would matters we spend so much time mulling over truly matter? Would we contribute strife if we had limited time to make a difference with our lives? Would we revel in nonsense rather than hunger for insight? Would we dwell on the temporary or contemplate eternity?

I believe eternity will arrive right on time. And I intend to be ready! Whether it comes in the middle of this night or two years from now; five weeks or three decades into the future is of no concern to the signed, sealed and ready-to-be-delivered believers of Christ Jesus. My Chicken Little cry is victory for the saved and warning to the lost. “I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2c)

If nothing else comes of the doomsday herald, at least folks are facing their own mortality. One website devoted to highlighting big-screen buzz put it this way: “We believe that the upcoming movies about 2012 will bring a new level of awareness of topics that ordinary people haven't explored, but esoteric and mystical people have been aware of for centuries.” (www.2012movie.org)

I don't think special interest groups have a corner on the topic since believers of Christ have been anticipating the Day of His Return since the hour Christ departed. The Holy Bible addresses end times without setting specific dates. Still, God's Word provides ample commentary on the topic over which the Lord Almighty has complete authority. Jesus specifically instructed his disciples on the matter.

“He replied: 'Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, “I am he,” and “The time is near.” Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.'

“Then he said to them: 'Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines, pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven...

“'There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your head, because your redemption is drawing near.'” (Luke 21:8-11, 25-28)

You see, it doesn't matter when the end. It does matter who you know and how well you trust in the One who holds the keys to eternity. “'Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.'” (Revelation 22:12-13)

Don't live in fear even when the earth seems at its worst. Live by faith that in the end, those who follow Christ, leave heartache and disaster to dwell in glorious paradise.

“Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'Peace and safety,' destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

“But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)

Don't live for 2012, live each day of 2010 as if it were the end.