The end of the world (and I feel fine)
By mattsmallbone. Filed in God |
With every earthquake, flooding, famine, war and rumour of war that occurs, the cuddly evangelical ‘left behind’ community of which I am a member braces for Armageddon.
Most of us believe that the world is going to get worse and worse… and then one day we will all be swept up to heaven (the rapture). Some believe that this will happen before the ‘Great Tribulation’ (I am hoping this is the case), some think during (this is a bet either way), and some think after (I suspect that it will be this guy). Whatever the case, many Christians expect the world to end at some point soon.
As scary as all of this sounds, the rapture doesn’t keep me awake at night. I rest easily because my life on earth ending via rapture or death is pretty much the same equation.
The reality is that an Australian man is expected to live for only 81.4 years. (As a patriotic aside, USA men average only 78.4…. which proves once and for all that you Americans should adopt ‘no worries mate’ as your national mantra). This means that the best case scenario for me is that I have a bit over 50 years left in this sweet body of mine. Of course… I could die in a car crash tomorrow.
Hmmm…
Whether or not I am raptured mid or post-trib is therefore a moot point. I just need to prepare for meeting my maker.
We are all going to die one day. People drink alcohol, use social networking, or knit sweaters to put death out of their mind. But the certainty of death remains.
Am I scared?
Only in the way I was before I got on Aerosmith’s Rock’n'Roller Coaster. I was unsettled by the journey, but I knew things were going to end up OK. Fear and faith often collide.
So all in all I’m ready for it. I like who I am, and I love who I am becoming… and it is because I am getting closer to Jesus every day. I have found peace within the storm.
I’m with R.E.M. on this one… “It’s the end of the world as we know it… and I feel fine”.
Writing location: Kelowna, BC CANADA
Monday, May 10th 2010 at 12:30 pm |
I wonder if such events (floods, earthquakes, fire…) have been with us constantly. It’s the media who are evolving and repeating/recording/transmitting more information on the world than ever before, so it SEEMS like there’s more than usual.
That said, I’m with you Matt. Who cares about when… just be prepared at all moments at all times (just as Jesus asked us to be).
Monday, May 10th 2010 at 4:35 pm |
Great blog! Thanks for sharing! I am praying for all of you on the Canadian tour!
Love in Jesus,
Neeta