GETTING READY

     Here we are with a brand new year in front of us. Time is an interesting concept. God made all of it to begin with (see Genesis for a full account!), though I wonder if He made it all at once with the end-date built in or He makes a little more as we go along and as He sees fit. Makes no practical difference to us since we don’t know when that end-date is in either case.

     This brings to mind the matter of the end of time, a subject about which there is substantial interest. Many religionists and some non-religionists think they know when the end is coming. There is some interest in a Mayan calendar that focuses on December 12, 2012 as a day of transition. Every so often millenialists of one stripe or another come up with a sure-fire return of the Lord date. The day passes but they never return the money. Some scientists will occasionally predict a day that an orbit gets altered or a star explodes or stops exploding, ending “life as we know it.” History Channel has a little industry all about the earth with no people. It’s all very fascinating I suppose to some sorts of minds. To me it is all useless supposition.

     Point being, that God has decided to keep the time at which He wraps this project up to Himself. That being the case, spending much energy on it is a waste of time.

     But that does not keep folks from doing it. The Bible says, “The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and all the works that are therein shall be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10 KJV). Some folks like to ignore the “thief in the night” part and contend that while most people don’t know when this will happen, they do. And they usually ask that you send a check to their PO Box for further information.

     This continual interest in the end of time is due in part to the human characteristic of wanting to know something others don’t know. The end of time, if known, would be an important piece of inside information. Which is probably why God has not seen fit to let it be known to anyone here on Earth.

     But He has suggested rather firmly that we get ready for said Day. If we go back to Peter’s second letter, the next verse says this: “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness.”

     It is manifestly not important to try to know when the end is coming. What is exceptionally important is to be ready for it whenever it occurs. As Peter asked rhetorically, “What manner of persons ought you to be?” He answers that we ought to live holy and godly lives. This is simple and undramatic. The History Channel will not make a series on holy and godly living.

     Thus, as we approach the New Year we do so with no particular concern for the end of time. God may indeed decide to end it. He may have decided already. In either case I haven’t a clue when it will occur. The only thing I know for certain about the timing of that event is that no person on this Earth knows it either.

     But indeed as we delve into this New Year the matter of preparation does come to mind. As per Peter’s letter we ought to live in a state of continual readiness for the return of the Lord. As we look to 2012 we know that it will be full of events good and bad. Our role is to stay as close to God as we possibly can. Bible study and prayer (2 Timothy 2:15 and 1 Thessalonians 5:17) are the keys to getting and staying close to Him. Let’s get ready for a great year and for whatever else may be in store.