Daily Post: Anticipate
Crystal balls, 9-23-2017 conspiracy theories, sooth-sayers, shamans, the Anunnaki, and the Bible all compete for prominence in terms of which of these can accurately predict the future. Even now, as the next Category 5 hurricane (Irma) bears down on the state of Florida, it is impossible to know which way she will turn, which route will bear the brunt of her angry winds and tirades of rain. One thing we can be sure of, Irma will be just as deadly and devastating as Harvey, if not more so. What are we to do? And how many more tropical storms are out there somewhere, just waiting for that perfect wind which stirs the ocean waters in a special way spinning up into another hurricane. Can Jose be far behind?
Then we also have the doomsday scenarios from which science fiction has made a fortune. Armageddon was the 1998 movie starring Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thorton, and Ben Affleck who are sent to space to destroy an asteroid the size of Texas, before it can impact the earth. Today there are those who are suggesting that in just a few weeks, we might be experiencing the destruction of the world by asteroids at least this size or larger.
Beyond that we have well-educated folks like Ray Kurzweil, Director of Engineering at Google, who say things like, “Within a few decades, machine intelligence will surpass human intelligence, leading to The Singularity – change so rapid and profound it represents a rupture in the fabric of human history.”
Humans have always been enamored with predicting the future, and anticipate what will come next for them. It wasn’t any different in the first century when Jesus said he was the Messiah, not just to the Jews, but to all the world. His closest followers thought that meant He would set up an earthly kingdom, ousting the Roman Empire, and establishing God’s kingdom on earth. They believed this so completely that right before Jesus ascended back to heaven, they asked Him, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” [Acts 1:6]. The answer He provides should also be heeded today.
Acts 1:7
It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority.
Like it or not, it has never been easy to predict the future. We can make intelligent guesses, and anticipate certain results of events if their status doesn’t change, but that really is the gist of it. Scientists use MODELS to anticipate the path of the storm. Christ-followers use the Bible as their MODEL for anticipating when God might act from Heaven in a final and conclusively redemptive way. But can we know the when and the how? Can we anticipate a certain day, month, or year? Not hardly.
Since there are multiple options for self-destruction in our world today that wreak havoc on our senses, our emotions, and our spiritual existence, one has to wonder “… is it at this time?” But hear me clearly. Wondering is one thing. Becoming completely paralyzed from any and all normal activity of life is another thing altogether. I know only too well how easy it is to be consumed by dreading and anticipating what awful thing might happen, and the chaos ensuing after that event. Since we cannot see or know the future, we must balance our thoughts with something other than paralyzing fear.
So, here’s an idea. Don’t be scared, be prepared.
John 14:1-3
Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.
Translation: Don’t be scared, be prepared.
The chaos in your life can be turned into patient watching and waiting, if only you are prepared to believe these simple words, this simple promise of Jesus. In these words “time” or any concept of time is irrelevant. Either you believe the promise is true, or you don’t. Either you accept that this life experience on earth is a temporary stop-over to an eternal dwelling place, or you don’t.
If you do, don’t be scared by those wielding crystal balls, anyone shouting 9-23-2017 conspiracy theories, sooth-sayers, shamans, or the Anunnaki.
Instead, be prepared by submitting yourself to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and doing His work that He commanded us to do, with however much time you have left.
A good form of anticipation would be:
Revelation 22:20
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
As I was saying... 