Kind of a hot topic!...at least around "my neck of the woods"! I think in the last week alone I have heard this topic brought up in daily conversation 3 or 4 times.
The thing is, I do not initiate it...in fact, I have chose to kind of avoid it. The reason why I do is not because of any embarrassment of Christ Jesus being brought up in a conversation, rather I just have not wanted to be on the "bandwagon" of all the talk of the end of the world.
Yet, this past week I have taken notice of something...people I know, like my co-workers, some of my friends, and even at church...they seem to have developed a concern about this.
My attitude has been that as long as I know my heart is right through Christ Jesus, then the future is going to "take care of itself".
Ok, I am going to "check this out", and maybe reevaluate my position:
There seems to numerous religions and beliefs that have become popular on the subject of; "the end of the world as we know it" indicating it is perhaps very close. 2012 is a notable year in regards to "The End", and here is what I have found.
First, "The Mayan Calendar": well-known and currently popular, is announcing the end in the winter solstice of 2012. Here is how it goes( basic format):
1 month=20 days, 1 year=360 days, K'atun=7200 days(20 years),B'ak'tun=144,000 days (400 years).
The Mayan Calendar states the world itself is to last 13 B'ak'tun cycles, or 5200 years (1,872,000 days). The Mayan Calendar was suppose to have its origin on August 13th, 3114 B.C. with the birth of Venus.
So, through these given numbers,....this is the year, some even stating December 21st the very day the world will end.
Second, "Nostradamus"...Honestly, if I turned on my TV remote right now, I could easily find at least one channel (usually 3 or 4), that would have a segment on..."the Predictions of Nostradamus". His prophecies seem to be everywhere.
What I have read and understand is there was one prophecy that said World War III was to have taken place in 1998, but because of "intense prayer", WWIII has been delayed, and will now possibly occur in...you guessed it, 2012.
Another, "The Sibylline Prophecies" This is an oracle that has been around quite sometime. Sybil wrote that the god Apollo had entered her body and she fell into a trance, and saw many things to happen in the future. She is credited with the prediction of the birth of Christ Jesus, saying "a Man who would bring peace", even predicting His Name as well. She wrote of earthquakes, Tsunamis (including the 2004 one), and havoc weather patterns. End of the world?...yep...2012.
There are numerous other predictions including a Pope's Declaration, the followers of "666", the Quran, and Science itself.
For me... My faith and belief is in Jesus Christ, so my reliance on a topic like this comes from one primary source...the Sacred Scriptures.
Matthew 24 is a well known chapter on the subject of "the end times", Christians often referring to these times as "the last days". In verse 36, Jesus states: "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." (Living Translation)
Earlier in the same chapter, verses 6-7 reads: "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. Nation will fight nation and ruler will fight ruler, and this will happen over and over. Famines and earthquakes will occur in various places. This is nothing...compared to what is coming." (The Message)
In Matthew 24:8 it reads: "But all this is only the first of birth pains...with more to come!" (Living Translation).
In 2 Peter 3: 3-4, Peter writes: " But first you must realize that in the last days some people won't think about anything except their own selfish desires. They will make fun of you and say, "Didn't your Lord promise to come back? Yet, the first leaders have already died, and the world?...it hasn't changed a bit." (Contemporary English)
Now, going back to Matthew 24 a minute, it then reads in verse 9: "You will be arrested, punished, and even killed. Because of Me, you will be hated of all nations." (Contemporary English)
For myself, this is a clear sign of "the end". I don't see it so much in earthquakes, bombs, or natural calamities...I think it will be all about attitudes...verse 8 of Matthew 24 says we will be hated by "all nations".
Matthew 24:10-14 reads: "Many will give up on Me, in fact they will be offended and repulsed at the very mention of My Name, and because of this they will begin to distrust and desert Me, instead of trusting Me and doing what I have said they need to do. They will fall away from Me...and go after you!...they will betray and hate you!
In the confusion, preachers will speak lies about Me, and will want the "limelight" and deceive many. This will only add to the evil starting to build, and sin will be rampant.
People will become numb to all the perverse things around them, and their love for one another will grow stone cold.
Yet, stick with Me...you won't be sorry...and the Life I give you will be safe and secure. During this time the Message of My kingdom will be delivered all over the world...it will serve as a sign...like a stake that has been flagged...in every country!
And then, the end will come!" (Numerous Translations)
In Revelation 22:7, it reads: "And behold, I am coming speedily. Happy and to be envied is he who observes and lays it to his heart, and keeps the truths...of the prophecies, the predictions, the consolations, and the warnings that are contained in this little book." (Amplified Version)
Finally, in 2 Timothy 3:14-17 it reads: " But don't let any of this faze you. Stick with what you have learned and believed, you have gained a good knowledge and have come to know Me through the Sacred Writings.
There is nothing better for you right now then to stay focused on the Sacred Scriptures...it will show you the way through all this and confirms your salvation through the Lord Jesus!
Remember, everything in the Scripture is...God-breathed, and it will never do you wrong...being useful in any situation in life. It will keep you on the Path of Truth, and will expose anyone who speaks rebellious lies, and it correct you when you get off the Path of Truth, and is your training guide to living in Me. For you see, through the Sacred Scriptures, we come together...a solid relationship...that shapes us for the tasks ahead."
Besides, we will all pass away...and when that happens
that is the end for us
and a "New Beginning".
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