EOTWAKI, again

The ‘prophets’ are warning about the EOTWAKI again! They say that September will bring us an economic collapse, a new world government, an evil alliance of the US President, the Pope, and the United Nations, and so it goes. Part of the their predictions are based around an interpretation of the OT pattern of “Shemitah,” the cycle of 7 years, sometimes called “Jubilee,” in which old debts were cancelled and the land was rested.  Don’t worry if that seems a stretch! It seems a large leap in logic for me, too.  Do I think that these United States could go through some tough times? I do!  

But, I believe it will be because we will drink the cup we have prepared for ourselves.  For example –

The mountains of debt that we have created to inflate our standard of living will eventually fall on us. (Remember the real estate collapse of 2008? That wasn’t God, that was greed!) 

The social dysfunction introduced by our complete disregard of society’s foundational unit, the family, our relentless pursuit of personal happiness that breaks up our homes and marriages, will eventually (I think we see it in the streets now) bring so much chaos, who knows the sorrows that will follow?

The perversion of justice, where the poor bear the weight of a corrupt system, has eroded the foundations of a law-abiding society. Think about it! How many of us really have much confidence in our government in 2015?

But, I do not cower in fear, nor do I despair!
Instead, I keep on doing what He calls me to do; walk worthy of my Savior, pray for wisdom, pursue a holy life, and keep my hope set on my eternal home – all the while, building the Kingdom of God with steady faith and loving service.

Jesus reminded His disciples that tough times were ahead, but that they should not assume that suffering, war, or hard times meant that it was the EOTWAKI! (*End Of The World As We Know It!)  He said that these cycles of growth and collapse would come and go because of human sinfulness, He taught us not make too much of those who constantly preach that it is the End. Here’s the truth- we should be living right now in a way that we would change absolutely nothing if we sometime discovered that our Lord was returning tomorrow!

"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.

Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over.

Famines and earthquakes will occur in various places. This is nothing compared to what is coming.

“They are going to throw you to the wolves and kill you, everyone hating you because you carry my name. And then, going from bad to worse, it will be dog-eat-dog, everyone at each other’s throat, everyone hating each other. “In the confusion, lying preachers will come forward and deceive a lot of people. For many others, the overwhelming spread of evil will do them in—nothing left of their love but a mound of ashes.

“Staying with it—that’s what God requires. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry, and you’ll be saved. All during this time, the good news—the Message of the kingdom—will be preached all over the world, a witness staked out in every country. And then the end will come." (Matthew 24:4-14, The Message)

God rules! For the Christian, that is not a message of fear, but of great comfort. The Scripture consistently calls us to be responsible, proactive, and engaged all the while reminding us that we are not in charge and that we need not be afraid. Though we are aliens in this world, passing through on our way to our home, the Spirit is with us and God is guiding us.

Disciple, I want to urge you to trust that revelation today.  Don’t make the often repeated error of “End Time Christians” who have set dates and made fools of themselves!  Jesus will return for His bride, but that day and hour are hidden in the mind of God. Our responsibility is to live in a way that welcomes Him – today, tomorrow, or a thousand years from now.  So, steady yourself in faith in God, that He is capable of keeping you in the palm of His hand, no matter what happens to our economy, no matter who controls the government, or what resolutions are passed at the UN!

Pray for eyes that see what God sees and a mind that is filled with His wisdom. In this time when so many have so much anxiety about the future of this country... remember the Truth! "Blessed be the name of God, forever and ever. He knows all, does all: He changes the seasons and guides history, He raises up kings and also brings them down." (Daniel 2:20-21, The Message) He has charged us with responsibility to pray for His will to be done, and then we will obey Him and live with heart-deep faith and rock-solid assurance.

"This, then, is how you should pray:
"‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’" (Matthew 6:8-13, NIV)

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Cornerstone

My hope is built on nothing less,

Than Jesus' blood and righteousness.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame

But wholly trust in Jesus' Name.

Christ alone, Cornerstone!

Weak made strong, in the Savior's love.

Through the storm, He is Lord,

Lord of all.

When darkness seems to hide His face,

I rest on His unchanging grace.

In every high and stormy gale,

My anchor holds within the veil.

My anchor holds within the veil

He is Lord, Lord of all.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,

Oh may I then in Him be found.

Dressed in His righteousness alone,

Faultless stand before the throne.

Edward Mote | Eric Liljero | Jonas Myrin | Reuben Morgan | William Batchelder Bradbury

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