08
Again with that...
Jeff WeinkaufLuke 21:8-9
8-9 He said, “Watch out for the doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities claiming, ‘I’m the One,’ or, ‘The end is near.’ Don’t fall for any of that. When you hear of wars and uprisings, keep your head and don’t panic. This is routine history and no sign of the end.”
10-11 He went on, “Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Huge earthquakes will occur in various places. There will be famines. You’ll think at times that the very sky is falling.
Yesterday as I was listening to the news, I heard about a christian group claiming the world would end that day. Turns out October 7, 2015 was indeed NOT doomsday after all. But they sure were convinced it would be.
This morning as I read in Luke Jesus talks about just such a scenario. "watch out" He says because "Many" (eg not just a few) will come around saying " 'I'm the One,' or 'The end is near.'". Jesus follows that up with the statement "this is routine history and no sign of the end". Routine? Wow - so this will not be an isolated event. Folks will for one reason or another decide "it's over" and then act accordingly. Then nothing happens. Again.
The reminder is to feed yourself, and KNOW the word. Then when you hear something that seems off base, you can compare it to the truth of scripture. If something is taken out of context or twisted to obscure it's meaning, put it BACK into context and seek to understand the whole of what was being said (and why).
Interestingly the group involved in the latest doomsday predictions say they are a christian organization (although not officially a church). "Bible" is even a part their name, yet for what ever reason they disregarded the very words of Christ Himself. No matter what someone says (even in church setting), if it doesn't line up with scripture it's suspect.
The Bible is not just "part" of the Christian experience. It's central to it. It's also not an equal partner with how I feel about what I'm experiencing. It is superior to all else. The Bible is the inerrant truth of God himself. I need to know it, and to grapple with it. I don't always understand what I read, but I seek to understand and to develop my opinions not only on individual impressions but on the harmony found in the entire canon of scripture.
God, thank you for giving us your word. Thank you that all we need for life and Godliness is found in it. Please help me to know you better though it. Amen
