I'm sure you've seen many of these signs around- or at least heard enough about the May 21st prophecy for the end of the world. Well, obviously, we're still here!
Today at church I was very much convicted that I have taken the WRONG stance on this whole "Judgement Day" thing. I was of the mindset that the whole thing was rather funny, and I often joked about with fellow Christians that I knew didn't believe any of that "crap" either.
I look around on my Facebook News Feed (made up primarily of believers) the last few days, and I find myself finding and "liking" funny comments, or silly pictures about how "Judgement Day" is almost over, or how the billboards are dumb, etc., etc. The news is covered in it too- just take a look if you don't believe me:
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/Religion/post/2011/05/may-21-end-of-the-world-doomsday-harold-camping/1
... hahaha. Funny, right?
Nope.
Wrong.
Today I came to the realization that as a believer in Jesus, I should be 1) GRIEVED and 2) UPSET...
FREEZE! Now, right away- I know what you're thinking... "Oh, that's so sweet, she feels bad for them."
WRONG again.
So to preface my 2 points further, I'm gonna ask some questions that got ME thinking- hopefully they will for you too!
-Why is it our instinctive nature to NEED to be RIGHT?
-Why would pointing fingers EVER be Biblical?
-How can we GLOAT over another person's failure?
-When does GOD get the MOST GLORY?
When you begin to think about some of these questions- it begins to open your mind to new things.
#1- Don't you think this whole thing is rather grieving to the Holy Spirit? I mean, think about it... do you know how many people are led astray by the false teaching, and how many Christians will question the power of God, because they were taught to believe lies? Shouldn't we (as believers) be saddened that this whole campaign has literally ruined some people's lives, and that the enemy is using it to instill false teachings in our churches? WOW. How then, could we EVER mock? We're working against ourselves- people don't know the difference between "those" Christians and "real" Christians... If we are advocates of TRUTH, why would we EVER pass judgement, trying to make ourselves look more "holy"? It's utterly disgusting.
#2- I'm pretty sure that if the Holy Spirit is grieved, we should be too. Doesn't it upset you that people on NATIONAL television are floating fake people up in helium balloons to mock the "May 21st Rapture"? Doesn't it bother you that people are mocking God, and his Almighty power? Can't there be a RIGHTEOUS ANGER and SADNESS that we are pointing our wrath at people, rather than the deceiver, thief, and liar who brought this all about? Doesn't it make you MAD that the devil is leading people astray? Doesn't it upset your heart and make you sick to see people perishing because they are MOCKING the King of Kings? May we not be a generation who laughs on the sidelines, but rather invest our knowledge of transformational power into those who are drowning in the lies!
Helloooooo.... We need to WAKE UP!
This isn't a JOKE- it's not even the slightest bit FUNNY.
Why then, is it so easy to LAUGH, or to turn it into a "Who's RIGHT"?
I feel sick. Who are we? By what authority do we pass judgement on the people of God?
We are laughing when our brothers and sisters are falling down- when our DUTY is to help pick them back up and be partners committed to seeing the BRIDE of CHRIST glorious.
If the the heart of God is so saddened- why would I ever feel differently?
"Do not gloat when your enemy falls;
when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice."
Proverbs 24:17
"And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it."
1 Thess. 14-24
_________________________________________________
Lord-
I am grieved, because YOU are grieved. My spirit is touched and saddened by the lost-ness of humankind, and how many of us are willing to point fingers. Show us, Lord, how to build these people up- to partner as advocates of truth.
Let us be a people and a generation committed to bringing the body of Christ together- to aim in faith for a glorious bride that would give You glory and honor.
Rise up in the American church a righteous anger towards the enemy- and all of his plans for destruction. We declare that his plans for evil will be turned for good by the power of the Holy Spirit!
~Amen
Such good stuff my friend, I miss our conversations. This morning I was in Westport and my message was taken from Ezekiel and the valley of Dry bones. Last night I was up till 12:30 this morning, as I was on Vacation last week and even last night, it was on my mind. The thing that kept going thru my mind is don't come Lord, don't come, cause we as Christians haven't done our job well enough to bring in the latter rain. This morning I preached about that. Maybe this guy was right, maybe God was planning on returning maybe Jesus the Son got God the father to stay the tide one more day, so we as christians, can get up off our lazy butts, and do the job God called us all to. Bring in the harvest. If it did anything for me it made me remember time is short, whether it be by his imminent return or because of breath in my lungs, life is short, and people are weighing in the balance. Love ya Jazz.
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Everything is complicated.
Wow Jazz, well said. I too have been convicted. I keep thinking aobut the vierse in 2 Peter 3:3-4 First of all lyou must understand that in the last days scoffers will come scoffing anf following their own evil desires. They7 will say "Where is this coming he promised?" Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation"? I think events like the May 21 doomsday prediction cause scripture like this to come true. That saddens my heart. I have taken my rebuke from this mornings sermon and am rethinking my mocking spirit. NOt mocking the Lord or his coming but mocking the man who predicted it and is now hiding himself. My heart cries out for the truth to be said in a way that will attract people to come to Jesus and be excited about it.
ReplyDeleteWell said!! I have a relative who is a follower of Harold Camping and I have been praying for and greiving for his followers for years. So glad you posted this!
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