Do natural disasters mean the end is near or just nearer?

http://www.thenoblesvilletimes.com/main.asp?SectionID=13&SubSectionID=211&ArticleID=18771

6/22/2011 11:44:00 PM

By Teri Ditslear Joy in the Journey Crystal balls, lines on the palms of your hands, bumps on your head (Phrenology), crystals, cards, mind readers, and tea leaves are all known in the mystic world as resources that can potentially tell the future. Many people make a living at the expense of reasonably sane people who want to know the future. We are inquisitive humans, we like to know what to expect and when to expect things, and we like to figure things out. Without inquisitive minds we would not be able to enjoy our longevity in life. Thank goodness for scientists who have found ways to eradicate diseases, flues, tetanus and polio. Thank goodness we have people right now working on cures for cancer, the HIV virus and other deadly infestations. The natural disasters that have been happening around the world, with seemingly increasing numbers and intensity, sure have some of us wondering whether or not the earth is about ready to stop spinning, blow-up, implode or self destruct. We are subject to the media telling us that we are in danger of global warming, increasing pollution in the air and waterways, carcinogens from the bad food we eat and the cell phones we use, and then we have to think about the effects of the destruction of the rainforests, the damming of waterways, and the extinction of some animals and insects. Bible readers across generations have looked to the scriptures for clues that can tell us when we can expect rapture to occur. When will the earth disappear? When will Christ come again to judge the living and the dead? Much to the chagrin of various false prophets and soothsayers including, the now famous Harold Camping (doomsday May 21, 2011), we do not know when the world will end. It is not for us to know. In Matthew 24 Jesus says that there will be wars and famines and earthquakes and that these things will indicate "end times." And later in the chapter Jesus says that the end times are coming but that nobody except the Father knows the exact time. Dear people, wars and famine and natural disasters are happening, and they have been happening ever since the beginning of man and woman. Yes, we are heading to the end times, the time when Christ will come again. It could be today, or tomorrow, next year or in the next 100 years or 1000 years. It is not for us to think about or to dwell on. Our purpose today, and for all of our days, is to bring glory to God here on earth, in this kingdom. Our purpose is to love God, love one another and to tell the world about Jesus. When we do these things, in this order, we will help the kingdom as a whole become the whole body of Christ here on earth. Is the end near? I do not know, but I do know it is closer than it was yesterday. Joy in the Journey is written by Connie Thomson and Teri Ditslear. Thomson is the Senior Pastor at New Joy Lutheran Church in Westfield and Ditslear is the Intern Pastor at New Joy Lutheran Church in Westfield.