Should We Pray About The End Of The World ? - 12/5/2009

Today's Mental Image:

The End Of The World

Pray That The Son Of Man Will Be Pleased With You

It is my contention that we, as Christians, grossly mishandle the words of Jesus, the revelation of John, and other prophecies about the end of this present world.  We get the issues confused.  We respond in ways I do not find in the Bible, either as recommended responses or in the contexts of the teachings.

Do we want to miss out on the values, the cautions, the precautions, and the life shaping purposes of these revelations by God?  Do we really think terror and fear are the responses God was trying to cultivate in faithful believers?  I hope the answer to the first question is, "No!  We want all that God has to offer!"  Likewise I hope the

answer to the second question is also, "No!"

       We want only to hold a rightful reverence and awe at what is coming, but not a terror and fear that is unbecoming of God's children and unhealthy when leading others to the peace we know in facing the end times.

        In Luke 21:34-36, Jesus touches on both of these issues.  He directly instructs us in how to respond to information about this world's final days.  The English translations below help to highlight the various messages in Christ's Words.

34"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."  New International Version

34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”  The New King James Version

34-36"But be on your guard. Don't let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it's going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don't go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that's coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man."  The Message

34Don't spend all of your time thinking about eating or drinking or worrying about life. If you do, the final day will suddenly catch you 35like a trap. That day will surprise everyone on earth. 36Watch out and keep praying that you can escape all that is going to happen and that the Son of Man will be pleased with you.  Contemporary English Version