December 21, 2012

Our next door neighbor came over on Saturday to help Larry stain our deck.  "What do you think about all the hype about 2012?" he asked.  Come to find out, he had been watching the documentaries that have been on the History Channel the past months and he was intrigued; talking about the world coming to an end on December 21, 2012.  "You've got to admit," he said, "there has to be some truth to it because of all the different sources that are pointing to that date."  He was referring to the ancient Mayan calendar, the Hopi Indians, Nostradamus, the Bible Code, and scientists who predict a massive Solar storm. 

Larry and I looked at one another with one of those "knowing" looks that couples who have been married a long time use to communicate with each other.  Then later, when we were alone, we continued our discussion of the 2012 Domesday theory.  Neither of us had thought much about it before now; because a lot of the information that you see on TV is speculation, or just plain weird.  We had lumped the 2012 end of the world talk in with paranormal activity and UFO sightings; topics of unverified supposition.

What do I believe about the future and the things that will happen when the world as we know it comes to an end?  Our source of authority is the Bible so that is where I will look for information.  The next event we expect will be the rapture of the Church. See 1Thessalonians 4:13-18.  Christ will claim his Bride (the Church) and we will celebrate the wedding feast for seven years with him in heaven.  See John 14:1-3.  That seven year period will coincide with the Tribulation period here on planet earth.  See Revelation 3:10.  The last three and a half years of the Tribulation period will be a time of great troubles; including war, economic failure, earthquakes, and stars falling from the sky.  After these things Christ will return to earth with the Saints to destroy the Antichrist, imprison Satan, and establish his Millennial kingdom. See Revelation 19:11-20:3.  The events associated with the return of Christ are certain and infallible.  They are well documented through out scripture. 

How does all this fit in with 2012 Doomsday theories?  I'm not sure, but I am confident that there is a day of reckoning coming when life as we know it will drastically change.  Evil has been running rampant ever since Adam & Eve chose to disobey God, but evil will not be allowed to continue indefinitely.  Satan's days are numbered and God will triumph in the end.  If it happens in 2012, so be it.  But my confidence is not in Mayan calendars or the words of a mystic; my confidence is in the certain Word of God. 


In the last words of the Bible, Revelation 22:7,12,20, Jesus says three times, "Behold, I come quickly."  And with these words Jesus reminds us of his greatest promise - his return.  May we have confidence and not be ashamed at his coming.  See 1John 2:28.