THERE WILL BE AN END TO THE WORLD…IT WILL BE “THAT DAY”

Jesus said something stunning just before He ascended to Heaven.  It was after He rose from the dead and Matthew’s testimony is one who relates it. Jesus appeared to women first who followed Him…they ran and told the disciples. (The eleven were in an undisclosed room in Jerusalem perhaps).

Matthew says, “And the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him. But some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All authority is given to Me in Heaven and in earth. Therefore go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things, whatever I commanded you. And behold, I am with you all the days until the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:16-20)

 

Until the end of the world.

 

As I exercise on my bicycle, I ride past a beautiful, fit couple.  We stop and talk sometimes.  One day they asked, “Will there be an end to the world?” Since that conversation I’ve thought about it. Now and then verses in the Bible stand out about “that day” … "...for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." (2 Timothy 1:12) "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night..." (2 Peter 3:10).  Are these referring to the end of the world? Are they referring to a “day” when everything changes? Whatever that repeated “day” is referring to, we who believe in Him, have accepted His forgiveness are safe, no matter what happens.  “I am with you all the days until the end of the world.”

 

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)

 

"But as many as received Him, He gave to them authority to become the children of God, to those who believe on His name." (John 1:12) 

 

I accept that, LORD.

WHY GET TO KNOW THE GOD OF THE BIBLE WHEN YOU LIKE THE GOD IN YOUR HEAD BETTER.

Whether we know Him or not, like Him or not, understand Him at all, the LORD GOD of the Bible is in charge. He is more loving than we can imagine and more terrifying than we imagine.

My husband and I finally reached the Book of Revelation again.  Eric and I looked forward to this because we are discussing and understanding more this time through the Bible. If you have curiosity about the love and terror of God just read the Book of the Revelation. 

From Chapter One His character is described: "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood. And has made us kings and priests to God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 1:5-8) 

Here is love. Jesus is faithful and true, He has all power, He is Prince of kings.  And He loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood. But too many have rejected Him for thousands of years!

The Lamb of God in Revelations, Jesus, relays great mysteries about the end of time. Thunder, strange beasts, an earthquake, the sun becomes black.  The moon becomes blood red.  Stars fall to earth.  Every person, including kings, hide from the wrath of the Lamb.

When you like the Jesus in your head better than the Jesus, The Lamb of God, I understand. We cannot imagine our sun becoming black, our faithful moon turning red as blood.  But if you read the Bible through, and through and through throughout your life, you will see "Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood."  Such love, when rejected gives us a terrifying future.  

In this Book the voices of the angels speak loudly.  "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." (Revelation 14:6,7)

After he rose from the dead, “…Jesus came and spoke to them… All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Because of His love we get to know the real God in His Word.