The End of the World IS Coming. Are You Prepared?

Over the past few months I have probably heard more conversation about the end of the world than I’ve heard over the last few years. I guess a global pandemic can do things like that. The advent of AI and its impact has also sparked a great deal of speculation: will it build Skynet and take control? Or, will it just blur the lines so that no one will know who to trust anymore? Just read the clickbait- err, headlines, and stay tuned. A few centuries ago, the Apostle Peter ALSO lived during some amazing current events. He felt strongly that the end was near back in the FIRST century!

His epistle gave some advice that made good sense for someone who heard the Olivet Discourse firsthand. He said that we should take life a little more seriously if the end is at hand. When you think of it, his advice still makes good sense two thousand years later. On the one hand, the end of all things may occur; on the other hand, every human also has an individual, inevitable ending… Either way– if the end IS near, then shouldn’t it affect what we do today? Or is it just something to make light of?

“The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins… Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:7-8, 10-11 NIV).

Was he Wrong or Right?

Since we’re still here, we could criticize Peter for being a little premature in his prediction about when the end of the world would occur. (Although from a personal standpoint, his words ACTUALLY DO apply to everyone, since every day the end of this world is nearer for each of us than we think, even if we live to a ripe old age…)

But Peter’s advice make good sense. He encourages all of us to live differently because time is short. His true focus is not WHEN it would happen, but HOW its eminent possibility should make us act. Tell me, do you act any differently at all because the end of the world could happen at any time? No? Well, let’s ask that question another way: If you knew today was your last day, would it change the way you look at it? Would it change the way you live it?

Peter says that because the end of all things is near, it should give us a different sense of urgency and a different way of thinking and acting: We should PRAY, intentionally and intelligently. We should LOVE each other deeply because (wow, how true is this?) love covers a multitude of sins. What else does that? Can you think of any of your sins that have been covered by love? What does that mean?

Theologically speaking, our sins carried the death penalty, but have been “removed as far as the east is from the west”. Though our sins be as scarlet, they have been made white as snow; they “are remembered no more…”

Personally speaking, love enables us to forgive and to find acceptance in spite of our flaws. We all do wrong. Only love helps us rise above. Peter spoke from experience, didn’t he? His arrogance didn’t prevent him from betraying his best friend. He was crushed by his cowardice and ashamed of his failure. But, love brought him back.

So, What’s the End Game?

How then should we live? Peter says that we should be faithful stewards of grace, serving others and spreading the love; the same love, in fact, that had been spread upon him. Are you covered? Are you serving? Since there may not be much time left, make sure you spend it wisely. Basically Peter says, “Make sure you live, serve, and love as if God himself were doing it through you.” Because who knows? Perhaps He is…

The End Game

Peter made it very clear: He said the end of the world was near,
And we should live in such a way that if our world would end today
We wouldn’t have some lame excuse for gifts neglected or misused.
Peter said that we should pray, and act with faithfulness today,
Without regret or doubt or shame, if our tomorrow never came.
If you have a gift, then give it! Take your life: rejoice, and live it!
Take the things you say and do as if God did those things through you.
Live as if the end is near. Do it now. And do it here.

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