There is so much hitting our world, so fast and all at once. Some people are worried about this being signs of the end of the world. Who knows? Your guess is as good as mine. It isn't something that I choose to focus on. However, there are people out there right now who don't usually read the Bible that are trying to learn what it says about the end times. As you do read it, please remember that it is important to read whole chapters, and to keep verses in context with their surrounding text.
The book of Revelation, written by John, is right near to impossible for me to understand. I doubt if I am the only one that it baffles. Except for the part that God wins in the end. I get that part. Revelation is full of John's visions, and reads like a science fiction screenplay. I'm just saying that it is hard for me to follow. It is easier and more fun to watch Star Wars, and know that the Force defeats the Dark Side when all is said and done.
The book of Luke is pretty clear cut, especially when I read it in The Living Bible version. I'm not here to preach or predict. But if the end times is a subject that interests you and you would like to research it in the Bible, Luke: Chapter 21 is a good place to start. Luke is located in the New Testament, between Mark and John. Luke was one of the twelve guys who hung out with Jesus before he died.
When I was reading Luke: Chapter 21 the other day, two things really stood out at me. The first one is the warning to avoid false Messiah's. If anybody goes around saying that they are Jesus, don't believe them, they are lying ... even if they seem convincing (Luke 21: 7-11). The Bible says that Jesus is not going to be walking around introducing himself ... we'll know for sure when he comes back. There will be no doubt. The second thing that stood out was that when the time is getting close for Jesus to come back to Earth, that we will know it in our hearts (Luke 21: 25-32).
Actually, I prefer to concentrate on things that I can have input on. I certainly can't control what is happening in the world, and certainly not what Mother Nature can think up, but I can do my best to be the best Kathy Matthews that I can be.
The following verses jumped out at me the other day too. After I got done reading Luke 21, I was flipping through the pages and landed in 1 Peter. This is the good advice and reassurance that I found there:
"If you want a happy, good life, keep control of your tongue and guard your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Try to live in peace even if you must run after it to catch and hold it! For the Lord is watching his children, listening to their prayers; but the Lord's face is hard against those who do evil.
Usually no one will hurt you for wanting to do good. But even if they should, you are to be envied, for God will reward you for it. Quietly trust yourself to Christ your Lord, and if anybody asks why you believe as you do, be ready to tell him, and do it in a gentle and respectful way.
Do what is right; then if men speak against you, calling you evil names, they will become ashamed of themselves for falsely accusing you when you have only done what is good. Remember, if God wants you to suffer, it is better to suffer for doing good than for doing wrong!" 1 Peter 3:10-17 TLB
Best and God bless,
Kathy
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5 comments:
I don't spend any time worrying about, or trying to calculate the 'end times.' It's in God's hands.
I like the 1 Peter references. We need always to keep that in mind.
Hope you're having a great day.
Praise God that our times are in His divine hands. You are so right about not reading verses out of context;I was preaching on that just the other week. There is a real need, even amongst those who love the Lord, to immerse themselves in the scriptures and to know exctly what they say. x
Thank you for sharing this!
No matter....people will believe what they want to believe. It's just human nature. But if your words helped just one come to grasp of what life is for them, then your job of work is perfect. Don't fret about whether you're preaching to someone or trying to sway a thought into anyone's mind. This is YOUR blog...write what you want and what feels right for you.
We are in trying times and the only thing we really have control of is ourselves and our actions. We should make them good.
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