Is the sky really falling in?

"What the caterpillar calls the end of the world the master calls a butterfly." Richard Bach

Media hype is nothing new. Randolph Hurst did not invent yellow journalism, either. The phenomenon has been around, I suspect, since men first began to talk, and that takes us all the way back to the Garden of Eden.

Who started the first rumor mill I have no way of knowing. I do know, however, that a good story has always drawn a crowd, even if it is just a cock and bull story at that, especially if it has the scare factor in it. After all, nothing like a good adrenalin rush to spark a reaction to watch more television or buy more newspapers.

Now, I am sure by now that you are saying to yourself, “Okay, Roane, where are you headed with this?”

Hold on, give me time and I will tell you.

What I have in mind is the recent (an ongoing) Ebola scare. Here in Texas, my goodness, news has been 24/7 on the nightmare of what can-a, or could-a, or might-a, have happened given the right scenario. You know the stories. One poor fellow, who unfortunately (at least in this case) happened to be black, sneezed on a plane, after which he jokingly said, “Oh, I must have Ebola.” You can guess the rest of the story. Yep, that’s right, the pilot turned the plane around mid-air and headed for the closes airport. Nothing a six dollar bottle of Theraflu couldn't handle, the doctor said.

I find it truly amazing that in the most serious times some in the news media get a kick out of whipping up the gullible public into a frenzy. I say, get a kick, because I am sure none of them really believe that a new black plauge is just about to sweep across America. The naïve buy into the hype, however, and hype sells. News ratings go up, and, of course, along with that advertising revenue.

Well, enough of that.

What really annoys me is that politician see an opportunity to criticize the opposition so they can garner more votes. Preachers pontificate from the pulpits painting the most sordid stories of a gloomy disaster lurking just beyond the next daybreak, and if not then, then surely soon. Just wait until the next red moon, that’s the sign, so get ready. It's Halloween all over again.

My question is simply this: Whatever happened to old fashioned faith and trust in a loving God? Sure bad times are likely to come, but there’s always tomorrow. And, friend, there will always be tomorrow until the God Lord says it’s enough and raptures His Bride. Now, guess what, neither you nor I, or even Jesus himself knows when. That has been reserved for the Father’s own choosing. Oh, I know, some argue that Jesus knows now since He has ascended to Heaven—although, I don’t necessarily go along with that line of thinking, I can tell you that one way or the other, He is not telling. The same goes for these doom-sayers also—they simply do not really know.

Yes, I have written a book on modern jihadism which I think fit well into the whole scenario Biblical prophecy, but one thing you won’t catch me saying is that I know precisely when Christ will return to snatch away His Bride, the Church. That I don’t know or pretend to know. That’s a secret He hasn't let me in on, nor anyone else I might add.

It may be today, tomorrow, or a thousand years from now (although, I seriously doubt it will be that distant in the future).

So, let's get busy. We are told to occupy until he comes (Luke 19:13), and as far as I can determine there's not a hint in those instructions to flurry about like Chicken Little chirping that the sky is falling down on us.

Just keep in mind that we are not on this journey alone. He is with us each step of the way.

Take care,

Jim

Will someone please give me a break!

Consider this –

“I have never been lost, but I will admit to being confused for several weeks.”—Daniel Boone, American Frontiersman

Often when listening to the lame excuses some of our political leaders give us, particularly on such crucial issues as the recent incursion into Iraq by the al-Qaida linked Islamic terrorist group is mind boggling. I sit in total amazement as our Secretary of State with a straight face mouths off the words,

"[While, I am] not taking anything I hear to the bank … there is a capacity to have a new government that could be a unity government that could reflect a greater capacity for success."

Good luck! Mr. Kerry. The last time I remember anything that could match this is when way back in 452 AD Pope Saint Leo the Great negotiate terms with Attila the Hun; and believe me Attila had nothing on these guys.

Well, in any event, we have to give the Secretary of State credit for trying to beef up the image of a failed policy; but unfortunately if history has taught us anything, it’s a lost cause. Shiites and Sunnis—along with a few Kurds thrown in for good measure, have fought for centuries, and I suppose still will until the end of time. One would think that after a while these factions would self-destruct, but they haven’t. Ever wonder why? I have, but I don’t have the answer except to say in the words of Scripture—

“And you know what restrains him [speaking of the old Devil, of course] now, so that in his time he will be revealed. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming …” (2 Thessalonians 2:6-8)

Oh, some say, that just religious metaphor. Really, then you haven’t a clue who that man of sin is. There’s just a whole lot that I don’t agree with Hal Lindsey on, but he got one thing right—Satan is alive and well on planet earth.” So, as much as I would like to think differently, I cannot help but see dark clouds on the horizon. Therefore, once again, in the words of Scripture—

 . . . encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Heb. 10:25b)

Now, I am yours for that journey,

Blood moon a sign of the end times?

Kerby Anderson has written,

Many prophecy teachers point to the fact that some verses of Scripture mention the moon turning to blood and believe this tetrad of blood moons might signal the end of the age. The first blood moon occurs today during Passover (April 15). The next takes place during the Feast of Tabernacles (October 8). Then a third occurs next Passover (April 4, 2015). And the last takes place during the following Feast of Tabernacles (September 29, 2015).

The question is, is this really a sign of the end times spoken of in Scripture? According to Mr. Anderson,

These are significant events in the heavens, but do they predict the return of Christ? Authors of books on the four blood moons usually point of a number of biblical passages, such as Joel 2, Matthew 24, and Revelation 6. I realize that Christians have different views of prophecy, but I think we might at least be able to agree on a basic interpretation of these passages.

Joel 2 was written to people who needed to repent. He prophesied about the "day of the Lord" and Revelation 14 seems to confirm that the prophet Joel was referring to Armageddon in his prophecy. Jesus in Matthew 24 talks about a great tribulation and predicts a time when the sun is darkened and the moon is not giving its light. A blood moon would only occur if the sun is giving its light. Likewise, you have in Revelation 6 the sun becoming black and the moon becoming like blood. Both of these verses seem to be talking about something supernatural not a lunar eclipse.

Admittedly, the coincidences are intriguing; however, we must point out that coincidences are not  necessarily mutually contingent and there may be other factors like for instance since the Jewish calendar is a lunar calender and the coincidence of the first blood moon falling on the Passover by necessity astronomically will place the other three blood moon on a Jewish holiday also. So, as with so much that goes with prophecy identifying the signs for and of fulfillment can sometimes get really wonky depending on the inclination or the predisposition of the interpreter. Therefore, I don't think I would hock the country store to wager a bet on this one. Besides, admittedly I am color blind, but it looks more orange than blood red to me. 

Furthermore, what these doomsday sayers neglect to tell you is that the coming four blood moons will be the eighth time this has happened since 1 AD. They mean nothing as far as the Bible is concerned, as far as I can see.

It has been my observation that prophecy is understood more thoroughly after the fact, consequently, it is best not to sell one's theology out to specifics which may or may not be there. As the song goes, "Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be Will Be)" and I would just leave it there in the knowledge that we are safe and secure in His presence and forever safe there in HIs loving arms.