Are we in the End Times?

Today's Reading:

• Luke 21:1 - 22:13

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Luke 21:1 - 22:13
I find chapter 21 to have confusing timelines. This is because Jesus tells of two prophecies that are separated by a vast amount of time. I had to do some research to see if I understood these passages correctly. It seems that versus 5-24 are talking about the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem, as well as the severe persecution of Christians. These prophecies would occur in the near future, and be reported in the book of Acts.

In verse 9, Jesus declares "but the end won't follow immediately". In verse 25, Jesus starts to talk to about His second coming. Jesus warns there will be strange signs in the sky, as well as roaring seas and strange tides. The nations will be under turmoil, and that people will be terrified of what they see coming upon the Earth. In verse 27, Jesus says: "Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory."

Jesus then tells us to stand up and look when these things start to happen. He goes on to talk about how fig trees, or any tree, gives signs as summer is coming. And when we see these things start to take place, that we can be assured the time is near. We should stand watch, and not be caught off guard.

Do I believe we are living in the end times? I am unsure. I certainly haven't studied enough of the bible to know (yes, I have read the bible in its entirety, but that is not the same as studying, and I have trouble placing timelines and such). I kind of feel like everyone, since the time Jesus died on the earth and was resurrected, has felt that the second coming is near. I do not know personally what all the signs are. I know that we have many terrible disasters, earthquakes, tidal waves, devastating happenstances. But I wonder, do we have more of those than before? Or, are we just more knowledgeable of affairs of the world?

I know that Daniel 12:4 talks about the increase of knowledge in the world at the end times. I definitely see that as happening right before our eyes, right this very second. We can see what is happening in another country in real time. That is just amazing to me, considering how news used to travel. Stories can be propagated throughout the entire world in minutes from the time they are written. And who needs a doctor these days? You can google and solve it yourself in a few minutes. The answer is always cancer, by the way (sarcasm intended - but you get my point). People used to have to find other people who had knowledge on a subject, and today you have an unlimited amount of knowledge at your fingertips. Literally at your fingertips. How many of us have smart phones? Little computers that go with us everywhere. Yes, knowledge has greatly increased. And for that, I am leaning towards believing that we are in the end times.

Whether or not we are in the end times, our action is to remain the same - be ready, be alert, be looking for the Lord. Never be caught unawares.

As for Me and My Family, We Will Serve the Lord

Today's Reading:

• Joshua 24:1 - 33

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Joshua 24:1 - 24:33
The book of Joshua ends with Joshua's death at the ago of 110 (24:29). Before he died, Joshua summoned the people one last time. Joshua gave them a message from the Lord, in which the Lord reiterated all the mighty deeds he had done for His people. He talked about the lines of Isaac and Jacob (24:4), He talked about the plagues sent down on Egypt (24:5). He talked about the parting of the Red Sea for escape (24:7). He talked about the victory over the Amorites (24:8), Balak (24:10), and Jericho (24:11).

Joshua then warns the people that may must choose which god to worship. The decision to worship the Lord should be made wholeheartedly (24:14). Should the people turn away and worship other Gods, they would be abandoned by the Lord (24:20). Joshua also gave this famous verse:

But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord. (24:15).

The people of Israel agreed to worship the Lord, and were faithful throughout the rest of Joshua's life, and the life of the elders who outlived him. Joshua died peacefully and was buried in his allocated land.

Verse 24:15 speaks dearly to me. It does not matter what the world says. It does not matter what the nation says. It does not matter what my neighbor says. It does not matter what my friend says. It does not matter what my brother says. But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.

Let God Not Forsake Us

Today's Reading:

• Psalm 89

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Psalm 89
This psalm starts with great praise to the Lord. We are reminded that the Lord's unfailing love endures forever (89:2), and that He will sit on his throne from now and throughout eternity (89:4). We are then reminded of the Lord's covenant with David. Although the Lord made a covenant with David, He also warned the people that disobedience would result in punishment (89:32). The psalm then moves into a story of despair - a denounced king (89:39), and a people who are wholly vulnerable and defeated. The psalm ends with a plea that the Lord would swoop in and rescue his people. The psalmist reminds God that his life is very short (89:47) and not to forsaken him.

I don't ever want to feel the Lord's wrath like this. I can't imagine what it would be like to live every day, knowing that you were living out the Lord's punishment against you. All throughout the old testament I've seen God dealing punishment in terms of entire nations. It makes me worry for my nation, as we fall further and further from the Lord. As our government dictates that every religion but Christianity should be celebrated and protected. As the White House lights up in rainbow colors - God's promise - in celebration of marriage covenants that the Lord would not sanction. As ten commandment markers are removed from courthouse lawns. As local businesses are ruined because they don't want to do something against their beliefs; yet businesses that stand on other religions are not touched. As marines are brought up on charges for leaving an open bible on their desks.

I feel our freedom slipping away, large chunks at a time. Little by little Satan infiltrates the Christian mind. We are conditioned to think that sin is normal and should be embraced. After all, it's all about "love". We are being desensitized and pulled away from the holy life God has called us to live.  Please pray for our country, and vote for our leadership. Those are the two things that we as Christians can do. We are NOT a minority in the US, yet we are letting these things be taken away from us. If we stood together, and with the help of the Lord, we could take back our nation. Our Lord is far mightier than Satan and the work being done against our nation. Please pray for your nation, pray for its leaders, and vote.

The Concept of Marriage in Heaven

Today's Reading:

• Luke 20:27 - 20:47

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Luke 20:27 - 20:47

The most interesting passage to me in today's reading is the passage about marriage after the resurrection. The Sadducees tried to trap Jesus by asking him who would be married in Heaven if a woman was sequentially married to 7 brothers, each of whom had died before she married the next. Jesus gives a startling response that challenges many people's ideas of marriage in Heaven:

"Marriage is for people here on earth. But in the age to come, those worth of being raised from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage. And they will never die again. In this respect they will be like angels. They are children of God and children of the resurrection." (20:34-36).

I did a little online research about this and could not find any articles that contradicted this statement with scripture. I found many references that talk about how Jesus is our "bridegroom" and how our marriage here on earth is but a shadow of Heaven, for we are the bride of Christ. The marriage relationship we foster here on earth will pale in comparison and we will not lack that intimate sharing of ourselves, but instead be utterly fulfilled by our relationship with Jesus Christ. It seems "till death do us part" is most certainly a true statement. I can't really fathom how it will all work, but I trust the promise of eternal happiness.

Taxes and Caesar - The Perfect Answer

Today's Reading:

• Luke 20:01 - 20:26

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Luke 20:01 - 20:26
Jesus is tested by religious leaders, spies, and Sadducees. All were trying to trick him into saying something that they could report back. These people hated Jesus so much that they were constantly trying to trap him into a situation where he could be executed.

Jesus responded perfectly to these traps - questions that were perfectly sculpted so that any answer would be wrong. In verses 20:21 - 20:26, the people asked about paying taxes. If Jesus said to pay taxes, it would be upsetting because the people were unfairly taxed. On the other hand, if Jesus said not to pay taxes, they would report him immediately. Instead, Jesus asked them whose face and name were on the coin. When they replied "Caesar's", he told them to "give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God" (20:25).

Jesus could not be accused of telling people not to pay taxes. As much as I don't like to pay taxes, taxes are a necessity for maintaining the land we live in. On the other hand, we know that everything is God's, no matter whose face is on it. Jesus's ability to appease all parties with his answer is truly amazing. Can you imagine that today, with the battling political parties? Only Jesus would be able to craft a statement that no one could find fault with - a statement that would speak differently and appease each person who heard it.