The End of Time?

My morning routine consists of hot coffee-black, no cream, no sugar, since I actually like coffee-and the daily copy of the USA Today newspaper. Yesterday, as I was reading the national news section, imagine my surprise when I found out that the world is going to end on May 21. As in May 21 of this year, 2011. That's less than two weeks away! This headline, however, was not written by the newspaper staff, but was captured in a full page ad sponsored by a religious group. Granted, the beginning of the end may start on May 21. Or it may start by the time you finish reading this blog entry. Or it may not be seen in our lifetimes. I don't know; you don't know. But some things are certain. First of all, whenever these types of predictions are made, Christianity as a whole often suffers. We are perceived as just another group of doomsday prophets, spouting empty jargon about the end of time. I pray that our witness will be protected from such prejudice. Secondly, we must understand, that at some point, the end is coming. That is why we must labor for the Gospel while we have opportunity. Finally, we must recognize that for many, the end is near by way of death. Read the obituaries. People of all ages and life experiences die every day. Some in the grace of Jesus; others in condemnation. We need to understand that the end for most will not be announced in a national newspaper. As servants of Christ, we are to herald the Good News that whenever or however the end comes, people may be ready to meet God as sinners saved by the grace of Jesus. Whether it be today, tomorrow, or May 21.