After the End

What do you say on the Monday after the “end of time”?  There has been much hype about the rapture that was supposed to happen last Saturday.  I have to say, I did not at any time think that this was going to happen.  But as I sat home by myself at 6:00, there was the tiniest little doubt that somehow, I had missed the big event, and I wouldn’t even know.  I called my parents.  Whew – they are still here.  I texted both my husband and a good friend.  Yep, they are still here.  (Although I wouldn’t have put it past any of them to not answer my call or text, just to freak me out a little.)  Sunday morning at church, there was no one suspiciously missing.  If there was a rapture, apparently I’m hanging out with the wrong crowd – because I don’t know ANYONE who is no longer here.

The person who did all the calculations – who collected and spent so much money for advertising this – probably was very sincere in everything he did.  The people who believed him were also most likely genuine in their faith.  How sad that sincerity and faith aren’t enough.  I imagine they will face tremendous embarrassment, possibly even ridicule.  For me, this is just a reminder to be very sure of the things I choose to place my faith in.

When it comes to this journey – as tempting as the “quick fixes” might be, they are like what happened on Saturday – a LOT of hype, but not much follow through.  I’m much better off being smart – using common sense to control my calorie intake and exercise to control what I expend, making sure that what goes out is more than what comes in.

“Jesus, answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.  From now on, you do know him and have seen him.’”  (John 14:5-7, NIV)

“’But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  Be on guard!  Be alert!  You do not know when that time will come.’”  (Mark 13: 32-33, NIV)

Jesus is the only way to God – and He says that even HE doesn’t know when the end will come.  Not only is it presumptuous to think a mere man could know more than Jesus, but think about what the people who believed this so sincerely must be feeling now.