Tag: Apocalypse

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Future fairness and justice.

Reading Time: 2 minutes 
“Soon—and it will not be very long— the forests of Lebanon will become a fertile field, and the fertile field will yield bountiful crops.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭29‬:‭17‬-24 ‭NLT‬‬

Things are not just, not fair, and absolutely not equitable here on earth. It’s not possible in a broken system, a humanly flawed system. It’s flawed because there are so many who just want what they want, when they want it. And everyone else is just a nuisance in the way.

Isaiah sees that just on the other side of this whole human experience, which has tremendous highs and devastating lows, awaits justice, wholeness and a global, godly equality that we all yearn for. The earth itself waits and aches for all things to just be made right again. Isn’t that something we ALL share? The angst and anticipation for everything to make sense? Isaiah gives a shortlist of examples of those who want but are not satisfied, but that completion is coming – “SOON,” he writes. In that day…

Goodness and justice will rise:
▪️ the deaf will hear words, read from a book, and the blind will see through the gloom and darkness.
▪️ The humble will be filled with fresh joy from the Lord.
▪️ The poor will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

Evilness and selfishness will subside:
▪️ The scoffer will be gone, the arrogant will disappear, and those who plot evil will be killed.
▪️ Those who convict the innocent by their false testimony will disappear.
▪️ A similar fate awaits those who use trickery to pervert justice and who tell lies to destroy the innocent.

We can all agree on these terms and future hopes! Ah, but for those who have no sense of, nor belief in eternity, they only have annihilation as the end of everything. I get it. They should try to cram it all into what is a very brief existence called life. Go for it. Reform the animalistic, degenerate, darwinian, literal hell out of humans. All you have to do is convince every single person, from every corner of the planet, every culture and conversation to snap to it and transform themselves for the better good!

It’s so easy, and humans without any shred of belief in God have been frustratingly trying to pull it off for eons. The non-believer does have a hope outside of the Creator though. It will be a short-lived hope. There will come an anti-god, a demigod, the Bible calls the anti-Christ who will come with platitudes and promises to bring world peace. He’ll be so convincing that billions with believe. Ah, but in the end, he’s just the master trickster representative, the guy behind the scenes with the the red suit and the pitch fork just enjoying his temporary rise to power.

Isaiah called it thousand of years ago. This will all come to pass and I just plan to be on God’s side of it and not shake my little self-determined fist at Him.

Prayer

Dad,
So be it. Come quickly Lord Jesus. Come and make things right and just forever and for all. Amen.

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Our environment wants justice.

Reading Time: 3 minutes 
“The earth mourns and dries up, and the land wastes away and withers. Even the greatest people on earth waste away. The earth suffers for the sins of its people, for they have twisted God’s instructions, violated his laws, and broken his everlasting covenant.” Isaiah‬ ‭24‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Isaiah picks up on this theme of of extreme eco-disasters coming to earth because of the sins of its inhabitants. Earlier, he had said that God would “destroy the earth and make it a vast wasteland. He devastates the surface of the earth and scatters the people.” Human sin and our selfishness has deep and irreversible effects on our souls, our kind, plus the entire animal and plant kingdom of the world.

I’m sure environmentalist would quickly agree that, as humans, we misuse and abuse our own home. Isaiah’s point goes much further than our carbon footprint, plastics addictions, or pulling far too many precious metals out of the earth. Isaiah says the earth suffers because of our sins against God, not the planet!

I for one believe that believers in Christ should be the very best at caring for the planet and ecosystems of our world. We were in fact given that job back in the garden of eden. We have a responsibility as good stewards. But I would also be the first to say, in no way should our care for animals, plants and natural resources take priority over human life. I’m not a fan of saving whales and sea turtles only to end the life of infants in the womb. This is a gross misunderstanding and results of our sin. Isaiah states what much of our world has lost site of, God is the creator, is good and He alone dispenses justice and truth.

When we are in line with God’s laws, the planet, even in our sin, fares much better. The end is coming though. The finality of this planet, in anticipation of a brand new one, is approaching as each moment of time passes us.

It’s coming. Our culture senses it and it shows up most often in our entertainment of movies and shows. If someone were to map the amount and frequency of apocalyptic books, movies and shows, you’d clearly see that everyone believes there is a end coming. Some are some very dark, like “the walking dead,” or the Terminator or Matrix franchises. Others are oddly utopian in nature, thinking of some strange technological advancements that help humans achieve and neurochemical enlightenment of some kind. The movie, Moonfall finally told us some truth. People are ridiculously gullible, untrusting and turn back into base animalistic behaviors when the end finally comes.

All of these fantasy projections either resolve in perpetual misery or happily received annihilation. God’s story is very different. The planet will be destroyed and remade. Human life, our souls and bodies will not end in annihilation. We will find ourselves living in eternity in one of two places – heaven, where God continues to rule as He always has done. Or hell, a place of eternal separation from God and in that, a forever tortured soul in misery of never ending loops of pain, blame of selfish lonely conversations with themselves. I ask myself, “who wants that?” The possible answer, people who would rather live in misery than bow heart and knee, submitting to God’s authority and rule.

Prayer

Dad,
It is so interesting that you were speaking through Isaiah, thousands of years ago about all the events (Christ, the messiah coming and a lot of end times) that would take place in the future. I remember hearing that the prophecy had to make sense to people then and now. What a challenge for those back them. I’m pretty sure their world was more violent than even ours today. I would make sense to the listener back then. I don’t look forward to the world ending, but I do look forward for the finalizing of your plans for the Kingdom of God on earth to be here.

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Bending towards evil.

Reading Time: 2 minutes 
“And the Lord was pleased with the aroma of the sacrifice and said to himself, “I will never again curse the ground because of the human race, even though everything they think or imagine is bent toward evil from childhood. I will never again destroy all living things. As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night.” Genesis‬ ‭8‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Starting over, but still with broken, evil people who will always bend towards evil. God Completely annihilated the human population at the time of Noah, and yet still sin and evil was not permanently drowned with the massive, twelve month flood over the earth.

There is a lot questions and mystery concerning the flood that God doesn’t seem to be worried about nor interested in addressing. When Noah offers a sacrifice to God (which I believe God showed Adam, Eve, Cain and Abel how to do) from selected animals on the boat, God is pleased. Why? Because Noah understands the association of substitutionary death of an innocent animal to temporarily cover his and his family’s sin. This is an act of humility, obedience and best of all faith. God makes a unique promise, “I will never…” He says. The earth’s ground, in totality, will never be cursed because of US. Then God adds the perpetually sad commentary, “even though everything they THINK or IMAGINE is bent!” And it’s bent from childhood on.

In Chapter nine, God gives Noah and all humans thereafter a permanent sign of this promise (contract) – the rainbow. “Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth.” Genesis‬ ‭9‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬. I love that God makes a permanent, declarative and obvious sign in the skies that show up when it rains or the rays of the sun catch the mists of water just right. These moments make for a beautiful array of splendor and delight wherever and whoever you are. Sadly, the rainbow, which is intended to be a contractual observance of promise, has been abused by so many to represent anything but a promise and nothing to do with God.

Prayer

Dad,
This whole post apocalyptic, global flood story is fascinating. Noah and family, with their miracle boat ride for an entire year. Then the days leading up to the landing an evacuation of water. So amazing. This picture/object lesson of Noah making a sacrifice is epic because it completely takes place well before the law, and well before the Abrahamic Covenant. This super old story is still all about faith and obedience – not perfection. Noah and his family were certainly not perfect and did not have perfect children. Yet, they knew the situation concerning their sin and gratitude for saving them. Bravo 🙌🏼.

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Ambiance of the future city.

Reading Time: 3 minutes 
“No longer will you need the sun to shine by day, nor the moon to give its light by night, for the Lord your God will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set; your moon will not go down. For the Lord will be your everlasting light. Your days of mourning will come to an end.” Isaiah‬ ‭60:19-20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Isaiah gets to describe some environmental aspects of the future city of God. For the past seventy+ years folks have been describing the future of humanity. It’s been quite the phenomenon to project what people think is a possibility.

Writers and screenwriters, with books and movies have been guessing at it for a long time. Many are dystopian and dark. Some are fantastically modern, with A.I., robots and super utopian possibilities. I think of authors like George Orwell, in his book 1984, written in 1949 describes a horrible version of government and “big brother.” It was so bizarre to experience 1984 and be thankful that most of Orwell’s predictions had not come true.

There’s plenty of hope-filled, peaceful projections as well. Most of these are about everyone being blandly similar in a weird idealistic socialism kind of way. And of course, these rosey projections have all solved our selfishness and greed, hate and murderous nature which magically translates into “fixing” the environment.

Isaiah, hearing this straight from God himself takes a completely different approach. He defines the future, for the people of God, as good as God himself! These couple of verses seem to defy our understanding of even light itself. Isaiah just announces, “you’ll no longer need the sun or the moon!” What? Wow. Way to go God. As Jesus himself said, He is the light of the world, and in Him there is no darkness (literally and metaphysically). This future city, this New Jerusalem – heaven itself, will be absolutely lit by God who is everlasting light. And this is just one aspect of the future for believers. Those who love sunshine and light will be so happy 😁- me with 🤚🏼 raised.

This is a major benefit to those who know God and believe in Jesus! God has a beautiful future planned. Where all sin, all suffering, all pain and all mourning will not exist. You may think it’s impossible, but God created everything we’ve ever seen or experienced in this world. And He created us in perfection with none of the dark shadows and downsides to our existence. Sin, our sin, is what changed all that. With sin permanently removed from the equation – perfection in all things will RESET back to the original plan.

Prayer

Dad,
Life, here on earth, with all of its beauty and splendor must pale in comparison to heaven and the new earth. This is the only the reflection. And life, even living within the confines of the curse, is also a unique and amazing experience. One the angels, who were also created, will never experience. Of course it is filled with horrendous acts of hate and depravity, but it is also filled with tremendous acts of love and goodness. I see both just walking my own neighborhood! In this strange, paradox of mystery it is hard to look outside of my circumstances and daily situations to see you at work redeeming and saving us. However, I know your Word is true and I know that you are trustworthy. Both have been proven and experienced over the past forty-five years since you saved me. Living here and thinking about this future utopia of grace in your presence is hard. Yet, taking just a few moments to clear away all that is happening in my world, and reading Isaiah’s optimistic words I can see the future – and it will be spectacular!

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Check the expiration date.

Reading Time: 3 minutes 
“I will gather the armies of the world into the valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will judge them for harming my people, my special possession, for scattering my people among the nations, and for dividing up my land. They threw dice to decide which of my people would be their slaves. They traded boys to obtain prostitutes and sold girls for enough wine to get drunk.” Joel‬ ‭3:2-3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We have all sorts of foods, mostly spices, that made two or three “house moves” with us. My son in law pointed out that we have a lot of expired foods still stored in our kitchen. One, I had no idea spices even had an expiration date. Two, I though sealed cans and dry goods were, ya know, eternal. Everything here on earth has “best by” date on it.

Joel is the book of “final days,” when justice and judgment are fully realized on the earth. The people that have not only done their own thing and had their own way, but have done so in horrible, ways have an expiration date. Humans that ultimately pursue the darkest, dirtiest deeds to bring them pleasure through power over others, will come to an end.

It is a fact, humanity is not getting better, we just cycle in and out of horrendously selfish behavior. We are getting worse. In ancient times they had whole industries for abusing children for their own pleasures. Today we have local and global gangs and underground businesses that traffic children – human trafficking is more lucrative than drugs. It’s more sophisticated today, but runs as a constant sub-current of our society.

What would happen if all the vices of human pleasure were to suddenly be shut down? These are things we call “freedoms,” and personal rights. My body, my money, my right, my autonomy… my my my. Each one has alluring, even innocent edges. “It’s just gaming,” not gambling. It’s “recreational,” not additive, nor destructive to family, especially children. “It’s occasional,” infrequent, I can’t quit anytime I want. The worst lie we tell ourselves, “I’m not hurting anyone.”

Joel is speaking for God when he writes, “my people.” God is possessive, He is jealous over us. Many think that just goes for Israel, “God’s people.” It goes far beyond that. It extends to us, all of humanity. We were created in perfection, no vices, no sin, shame or regrets.

It was our choices to not trust God, thinking He was holding out on us, keeping us from truly knowing evil. What’s God hiding from us?, we thought. Obviously it’s something really good and God is just being mean and controlling by keeping it from us. Yeah, we STILL believe that lie, don’t we? We all have this little voice inside our head and it’s not just an American thought, “I want everything I’m due… all of it!” Joel affirms, “you can have it, but it will not end well.” Getting “all of it,” experiencing all of it, having, managing and keeping all of it – will never end well. Check the expiration date.

Prayer

Dad,
How can I ever give up this pursuit of evil and just go all in on pursuing good? The pursuit of evil, no matter how tasty it looks, always results in a bitter outcome. Cursed are these cycles we endure as humans. Maybe I ache for justice to finally and forever get that curse off my own back? I see the evils of our kind and have experienced the destruction it has caused in my life and so many others. I yearn for that final day when this world closes out and the new one is born.

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Soon and very soon.

Reading Time: 3 minutes 
“Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.” James‬ ‭5:7-8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We’re going to see the King. Andraé Crouch wrote the soul inspiring song in 1976. And by 1978, churches like ours were singing it often. Andraé and the Church never thought we’d see the 80’s.

In 1967 the “Summer of Love,” wherein 100,000 hippies gathered in the San Francisco district of Haight-Ashbury. They had a hippie-style revival and were found openly worshiping God, carrying and reading the Bible. Time Magazine headline in June, 1971 “The New Rebel Cry: Jesus Is Coming!” By the end of the 70’s, it was the end of the Jesus Movement and thousands of young people had come to Christ, supernaturally. I came to Christ in 1977 and knew nothing of the movement, I only knew my life and family was a mess and I desperately needed God.

Back to James in the first century church. James believed Christ would return in his lifetime. He encourages the Church to be patient. He uses the agricultural illustration often used by Jesus, “consider the farmers who patiently wait.” I don’t think James or any of our spiritual leaders over the centuries thought the Church would be looking at well over 2000 years of patience! And with each swell of unbelievable, undeniable rise of wars, wickedness and societal stupidity, the Church rallies – this has got to the sign of the coming of the Lord!

Two points to remember: One, Christ is absolutely returning. Two, just not yet. Many a believer and doomsday prep-per alike has sold everything or bought up every roll of toilet paper thinking that end is NOW. Our eagerness, as believers, has been – let’s get out of here! Yet, quite contrarianistically, God’s eagerness is “none should perish.” Look at the historically heightened seasons of complete chaos and global distress. Whether that is super hurricanes, earthquake fueled tidal waves, volcanic eruptions or melting ice caps – they all signal that even the planet itself is done! Add to that the unstable, verge of war, countries threatening nuclear domination and a good old fashioned 100 year pandemic and you’ve got yourself another opportunity for folks to look around, take stock of their lives and realize something.

The world, the culture and even my life is a complete mess! The crazy part, the super powers of media and entertainment keep playing and pushing the same, tired solution. Lose yourself in pleasure, music, sex, drugs, alcohol, or causes and campaigns – do whatever you desire, whenever you desire it and don’t let anyone tell you different! At some point, and I believe soon, folks start figuring out they’ve been lied to? Then the smart ones start looking up, not in, not around and certainly not into their own screens.

Prayer

Dad,
Oh how I look forward to Jesus’ return, it’s just for the same reason as James wrote about. I am, most of my friends aren’t suffering the way the early Church did. I am not suffering the way much of the world, led by maniacs, suffer. My suffering is waiting for finality of never ending injustice and cycles of hubris talk and incessant dribble of searching for meaning through selfishness and denial of You as creator and God. And who suffers, it’s the children, the youth. They have to live in this world of falsities and fallacies about the one thing, the one person that would bring true freedom… Jesus. I appreciate the delay of Jesus’ return simply to have more time to tell them, to show them.

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Journal entry from Ezekiel in 593 bc

Reading Time: 3 minutes 
“On July 31 of my thirtieth year, while I was with the Judean exiles beside the Kebar River in Babylon, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. This happened during the fifth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity. (The Lord gave this message to Ezekiel son of Buzi, a priest, beside the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians, and he felt the hand of the Lord take hold of him.)” Ezekiel‬ ‭1:1-3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

​On a nice, warm, summer day back in 593 bc Ezekiel is out by a river in Babylon. He tells us that they had been in captivity or exile for five years at this point. We are reading a journal entry of a man that lived over 2600 years ago! He writes about this extraordinary vision as he looks over the river and up into the sky. And, he knows it’s a message and feels the hand of God on him. Chilling right? Then, for the next several verses, Ezekiel describes what he sees.

I’ve got to tell you, I read this as a new believer and could not make any sense of it AT ALL. And, I remember thinking, “who CAN make sense out of this?” It kind of blew my mind when a special speaker came through our church and asked us, “as an ancient observer, how would you have described something “futuristic,” maybe something that would not exist for thousands of years ahead.” Like a vision from someone who travels through time? Whoa. I would never have imagined something so syfi, so cool.

I mean 593 bc could not have had, would not have had any modern day equipment, especially something that could fly! This was a theory I had never thought about – and I liked it! Is it true? I have no idea. Could Ezekiel have been describing a modern Black Hawk helicopter? The guest speaker seemed to think it could have been. Ezekiel could only use words of things that existed in his time to describe what he saw – most of which are animals with a mixture of human faces or features that only the great beasts of his day had. Rotor blades back then could only be described as wings – like a giant dragonfly!

It turns out the modern helicopter may have been designed by studying the dragonfly (The world’s leading helicopter manufacturer, Sikorsky, finished the design of one of their helicopters by taking the dragonfly as a model, IBM, which assisted Sikorsky in this project, started by putting a model of a dragonfly in a computer (IBM 3081)).

Yeah, Ezekiel could have been seeing a futuristic scene of a war and God was telling him to write it down and even share it with the leaders of Israel. This was not just a fanciful dream and Ezekiel wasn’t trippin on some wild mushrooms. There was a reason for it. Many of Ezekiel’s visions were straight out of scenes from the apocalypse, the end times, the final days of the earth and its struggle against evil.

There have been so many possible interpretations and theories of these stunning visions and when they come true in real life, folks will be able to say, “oh, that’s what Ezekiel saw!” So, if you just recently turned thirty, just know this is the kind visionary of stuff you can look forward to! j/k.

Unless I’m joining God as a warrior in his army, I’m not sure I want to be there when this future scene takes place, especially if it’s some kind of global world war. Either way, I know God has got this, He’s in control.

PRAYER:

Dad,
Wow! These Ezekiel (and others) visions are so amazing. We can only wait and watch as you bring about the finality of your grand story, the epic war and peace, the ultimate love and justice of all things! It’s all there – all written out beforehand for everyone, anyone to read and see for themselves. Either folks have heard or have seen your truth and make a decision. All of us have been given ample time and opportunity to do so. I am so very grateful for your Word and the plans you have for me and the entire world.