December 21, 2012 - Really??

True story...this past weekend, my 14 year old nephew Austin and I were watching TV and during a commercial he randomly tells me that he had a dream last week, informing me that it was about the apocalypse. Now Austin doesn't go to church and while he is quite intelligent, I was a little shocked that he described his dream as being apocalyptic in nature. He went on to explain his dream. The sky was brilliant red, purple and orange. The sun got brighter and brighter till it was bright red and then exploded (though there was still light). He told me of 4 horses (green. white, black and red) located at the 4 corners of the earth, sitting upon them were warriors. Apparently there was two sides in a war for the earth. There was a creature with 7 heads, each head had a horn. The warriors looked like animals but were muscular like men and had giant wings. He said each of the warriors had a name but he could only recall the name of one called "Famine". That's all I remember him telling me, needless to say I was taken aback, though I did not let on. I asked if he had read or watched anything about the apocalypse, but he said no. When I talked to his mom the next day, she said he had come home from school and had mentioned something about 2012, and perhaps that is what initiated it.

December 21, 2012 the hyped date of the end of the world. Let me share something with you, the bible says, we will not know the day or hour of Christ's return. "No one knows about that day or hour, 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." By the shear fact that December 21, 2012 has been thrown out, we can know that this is not the exact day. Regardless, the day is not significant - the outcome is, and for those of us who have placed our trust in Christ we need not be afraid. The original apocalyptic writings of John found in the book revelations gives us the truth we need to know.

Be assured VICTORY is the LORD’s and the book of revelation serves as His final word to His chosen people. John the apostle, working in the office of prophet, vividly portrays the fulfillment of all the promises of God. What was begun in the pages of the Old Testament finds it’s fulfillment in the pages of this last book of the Bible, where God’s glory will ultimately be revealed through Jesus Christ the conquering Saviour who wins the final battle over evil. God has always, is and will forever more, be in control and His Will shall be done. Though the days of a Christian may be marked with suffering their lives will be marked by salvation. So with prophetic vision in mind, John writes to the seven churches of the days ahead, to warn and encourage them of the demise of Rome and in essence speak to the Holy war and God’s victory and the coming restoration of all things unto Him.

“Write therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later” [1:19] this is the charge given to John and this is exactly what he has accomplished in the pages of Revelations. John shares with the readers, what he has seen and what had already taken place through the King of Kings, Son of Man, Son Of God, Jesus Christ. “To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father – to Him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen." [1:5-6]

God is so intimately aware of our human nature, knowing our tendency to worry and fret about the future, that in His grace He provides us an account of how it is all going to turn out.  Revelations serves as a sort of assurance to our otherwise worrisome souls. We can relax knowing how it is going to end, perhaps not all the details – but certainly who rises as the victor – Jesus Christ our Saviour & Lord to whom all glory and honour is due!

My favourite verse from revelations is presented as a trustworthy and TRUE saying “He who was seated on the throne said, “'I am making everything new!'” [21:5]