We’re Still Here

Scripture Reading: Galatians 5:16-26

Live by the Spirit. According to Harold Camping the rapture was suppose to take place yesterday. Thank God that His written Word, when used properly, prevails. Most of us knew we would still be here today, that the doom predicted was not going to happen. What does scripture have to tell us about end times? God’s Word always has checks and balances built into it. If it is mentioned, you can find conformation within it’s pages.

Failed Prophecies:

Over the years there have been many end time prophecies that have not come true:

The Prophet Hen of Leeds, 1806: a hen began laying eggs on which the phrase "Christ is coming" was written, proven to be false when someone witnessed the hen laying her eggs.

The Millerites, April 23, 1843: the world would end some time between March 21, 1843 and March 21, 1844. Later the group split and remnants became the 7th day Adventists.

Mormon Armageddon, 1891 or earlier: Joseph Smith said God told him (February 1835) Jesus would return within the next 56 years, after which the End Times would begin promptly.

Pat Robertson, 1982: May 1980: "I guarantee you by the end of 1982 there is going to be a judgment on the world,".

Heaven's Gate, 1997: When comet Hale-Bopp appeared in 1997, rumors surfaced that an alien spacecraft was following the comet, a San Diego UFO cult named Heaven's Gate concluded that the world would end soon. The world ended for 39 of the cult members, who committed suicide on March 26, 1997.

Doomsday groups run a line of excuses after failed predictions. On occasion, a leader will admit he or she was wrong, other groups will come up with a face-saving explanation. Some groups blame themselves, rationalizing that their lack of faith caused the failure and other groups blame outside forces and redouble their efforts. The Bottom Line, they are not being scriptural.

What Does Scripture Say?:

God clearly tells us that no one knows the time or day when Jesus will return. Not even Jesus Himself knows, yet these alleged men of God proclaim certain doom.

Matthew 24:44 “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

1 Thessalonians 5:2 “for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night”

Matthew 24:42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”

Matthew 25:13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”

Mark 13:33 “Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.”

There are many false teachers in the world. Men and woman who claim to be teachers of the law but have no understanding of it. Camping earned a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley (1942). He is not an ordained minister of any Christian denomination. Chalk this one up to yet another person who wants' his fifteen minutes of fame.

1 Titus 1:6-8 “Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm. We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.”

How Should We Respond?:

Respond according to God’s Word. Look at who is making the prediction. Ask what scripture has to say about the subject, research, live according to God’s Word. Live by the fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Against such things there is no law.”

When we live by the fruit of the Spirit we live as if Christ is in us. We develop that personal relationship. Everyday we should live as if it is our last. We do not know the day or time when Jesus is returning. We do know, that by the Spirit, we can take comfort and have peace that no matter when our Savior returns we will be safe.

Galatians 5:24-26 “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”

We have committed our lives to Christ. We have crucified our sinful passions and desires, we live with the Spirit in us. Let us act like we have Him in us. Look at how you treat others, how do you think or act. Are you living by the Spirit or are you being conceited? Are you provoking others? Do you envy what others have? If you said yes to any of these, were you really ready for Christ to return yesterday?

I thank God that His word remained true and no one knows when Christ will return. I thank God that He sent His Son for our Salvation. I thank God that He has given us His written Word so that we can discern fact from fiction. I thank God that He loves us so much that we need not concern ourselves with when He is returning. Jesus is returning, it doesn't make a difference when. Are you ready? Will He say to you “Well done good and faithful servant”?

Next week I will be out of town. The congregation has the day off, I have challenged the members to spend next Sunday with an un-saved family member or friend. The following week I am asking that they bring that person to church with them. Have a wonderful and safe Memorial weekend and may God Bless each and everyone of you.