The media are making mock of a certain fringe figure from the Reformed/Evangelical world who has confidently predicted the end of the world (for at least the second time). I didn't want to give publicity to his fear-mongering, or his anti-church views ("Give your money to me, not to your church.") but I feel compelled to comment, in case anyone who reads this has any anxiety about these things.
Eugene Peterson's translation, "The Message" brings home Jesus' teaching in Matthew 24 on the End Times:
Jesus said, "Watch out for doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities, claiming, 'I am Christ, the Messiah.' They will deceive a lot of people. When reports come in of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don't panic. This is routine history; this is no sign of the end. (vv. 4-6)
"So if they say, 'Run to the country and see him arrive!' or, 'Quick, get downtown, see him come!' don't give them the time of day. The Arrival of the Son of Man isn't something you go to see. He comes like swift lightning to you! Whenever you see crowds gathering, think of carrion vultures circling, moving in, hovering over a rotting carcass. You can be quite sure that it's not the living Son of Man pulling in those crowds. (vv. 26-28)
"But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven's angels, not even the Son. Only the Father knows. (v. 36)
If anyone has a concern or a question about these matters, please contact me!
--Jack Lohr, Interim Pastor
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