You say, “I choose the appointed time; it is I who judge with equity. – Psalm 75:2

Today’s Scripture Reading (September 8, 2013): Psalm 75 & 76

The idea that “the end is near” has always been a point of tension within the church. It is not that we do not believe the truth of that, but rather the tension exists on how high the idea makes it on our priority list. Everyone in the world knows that this world is not forever. We know that somewhere out there lurks the end of everything that we are familiar with. The only question that we have is in when. Does this world whimper out of existence three billion years from now as our sun goes through its own process of dying, is there a life altering asteroid, with our name on it, on a collision course with earth, or does Jesus come back at some future time to take his people home, but no matter what model you decide to choose the earth (at least as we understand it) eventually disappears. (Just as a note, inside the church there are a group of people that believe that the signs are all aligned for the earth to disappear – or at least be severely changed – because Jesus will return, and they believe that it could happen any minute now. The question that they want to ask is “are we ready?” Surprisingly, the same group exist outside of the church. This group is also very sure that there is an asteroid or some other environmental disaster on the way, but this group does not have a question, instead they have a statement - they know that we are not ready.)

The bible actually provides an answer to both groups, and the psalmist echoes the answer. With all of the big questions of life, including the question of when the end is coming, the biblical answer is that only God knows. Even Jesus expressed the same answer saying that “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24:36.) Sometimes, the problem with all the discussion that we have about the end, is that the question itself is above our pay grade. The question lies in the hands of God and it can only be answered by him.

There is also a group of people that believe that the time for the end has already come and gone. No, we didn’t miss it, but God decided not to bring the end, or rather he postponed it. The idea is that God’s mercy keeps him from pulling the trigger on the final destruction. And support for the idea actually comes from the Apostle Peter. He writes in 2 Peter “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise (a promise that he would return and the end would come to the earth - Garry), as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9.) 

I admit the idea intrigues me, even if I am unsure about it. But this I do know, when the end finally comes, it will be at a time appointed by God the Father, and he will be the judge. And I am happy in just knowing that.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Psalm 77