I posted this picture of a sign in our city on facebook. Approrpiately, facebook friends commented: wierd, fail, and other snide remarks. Many of my facebook friends have been around the Christian block long enough to know this isn't the first doomsday prediction and sadly won't be the last, and are quick to dismiss it as another ridiculous display of public idiocy by the latest group of crazies. But for the sake of my local friends here in Taiwan who may be new believers, here are my ideas of why we should choose to ignore these claims.
These kinds of organizations aim to stoke the fires of fear in people. Placing a specific date on Judgment Day, claiming to have derived it from the Word of God, are all tactics to threaten you to repentance. But our God is Love, and Perfect Love drives out fear, not induce it! Our gospel is that of grace and compassion, and invites with a sweet gentle Call. Genuine repentance never comes from fear, but through coming face to face with the unfathomable depths of God's love shown through the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus, and those who follow Him.
Judgment Day is not the focal point of the cosmic timeline. As Christians, our main event happened 2000 years ago when Jesus walked out of that tomb. Most of the teachings in Scripture concerning the "End of the World" were addressed to believers living under intense persecution, to whom it surely felt like they were living in the End Times, and those Scriptures were calling them to remain faithful to the life and mission and resurrection of Jesus. We are called to usher in the New Kingdom, one characterized by justice, compassion, and hope.
So, to my fellow followers of Christ, let's log out of familyradio.com (yes I went on the website too and spent waaaay too much time reading through it), let's not plan to loiter around the sign on May 22nd to witness their folly revealed, because we've got far too many important tasks to attend to - loving our neighbors, speaking out for those who can't, praying for Egypt, living faithfully in our families, communities, and the world.
Your Kingdom Come.
Cindy, if you look at the Bible carefully, God has much to say about HIS judgment. Let God be your fear and your dread. God is love, but do not bring down his mighty authority by focusing on aspect of His nature. Remember Moses when he 1st met God? Fear. And Joshua! And the Mount of transfiguration? Fear. Please. For your sake, and your families' sake, take the warning of May 21, 2011 very seriously, as homosexuality abounds, an end time sign. If you do not have fear of the Almighty, you have missed the verse that says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Only 8 souls were saved in Noahs ark. Do not be surprised. That many in our own families (perhaps even you and I) can find ourselves left behind, as many, many, will be crying Lord, Lord, have we not done many wonderful works, and Christ will say effectively (not audibly) I never knew you.
ReplyDeleteLove,