Signs of the End or Signs of the Times?
We live in apocalyptic times, no question about that. And with the development of Wilma into yet another powerful storm, the end-times speculation is beginning to mount.
But there are two ways to interpret apocalyptic events. We can read them as signs of the end, or we can read them as signs of the times. I'm not quite sure I can understand them completely, but I tend to read many of the apocalyptic texts such as Matthew 24 as warnings to not get too "worked up" about the meaning of cataclysmic events. They are to be expected during what scripture often calls "the present age."
Under the "signs of the times" way of reading these texts, Jesus will return when he returns, and when it happens, the return will be obvious to all. In the meantime, our day will be characterized by the "apocalyptic" because they are birth pangs. Perhaps they are even birth pangs that can be seen as preparing us for a new life in a new creation.
In a sense, it is more comforting to view "apocalyptic" events as a sign of the end. After all, things may seem bad, but we are soon to escape this world, right? On the other hand, it can be depressing when cataclysms are viewed merely as signs of the times. There is no end in sight.
But Jesus' words can also be a comfort even when we see these events as signs of the times. He warned us, we can assure ourselves, that these things would happen. The world will indeed suffer under earthquakes, famines, storms, etc. during our age. This is not a reason to give up. Rather, it is an assurance that Jesus, true to his word, will some day return.
In the meantime, however, we should not overlook the fact that Jesus can be present in the aftermath of these events. He "returns" to those who suffer from cataclysmic events such as earthquakes and storms when his body reaches out across both state lines and oceans, bringing relief and hope to those who suffer from these events.
Is it better, in apocalyptic times, to focus on God's timetable for bringing Jesus back into the world? Or to focus on how Jesus can come into the world here and now in the way we reach out to others?
I think that this is a pretty important question.
Technorati Tags: End Times, Apocalypse, Wilma, Matthew 24
But there are two ways to interpret apocalyptic events. We can read them as signs of the end, or we can read them as signs of the times. I'm not quite sure I can understand them completely, but I tend to read many of the apocalyptic texts such as Matthew 24 as warnings to not get too "worked up" about the meaning of cataclysmic events. They are to be expected during what scripture often calls "the present age."
Under the "signs of the times" way of reading these texts, Jesus will return when he returns, and when it happens, the return will be obvious to all. In the meantime, our day will be characterized by the "apocalyptic" because they are birth pangs. Perhaps they are even birth pangs that can be seen as preparing us for a new life in a new creation.
In a sense, it is more comforting to view "apocalyptic" events as a sign of the end. After all, things may seem bad, but we are soon to escape this world, right? On the other hand, it can be depressing when cataclysms are viewed merely as signs of the times. There is no end in sight.
But Jesus' words can also be a comfort even when we see these events as signs of the times. He warned us, we can assure ourselves, that these things would happen. The world will indeed suffer under earthquakes, famines, storms, etc. during our age. This is not a reason to give up. Rather, it is an assurance that Jesus, true to his word, will some day return.
In the meantime, however, we should not overlook the fact that Jesus can be present in the aftermath of these events. He "returns" to those who suffer from cataclysmic events such as earthquakes and storms when his body reaches out across both state lines and oceans, bringing relief and hope to those who suffer from these events.
Is it better, in apocalyptic times, to focus on God's timetable for bringing Jesus back into the world? Or to focus on how Jesus can come into the world here and now in the way we reach out to others?
I think that this is a pretty important question.
Technorati Tags: End Times, Apocalypse, Wilma, Matthew 24
posted by Matt at Thursday, October 20, 2005
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