Left Behind

If you are among the many people that have been deceived by Harold Camping this past weekend, I want you to know that my heart goes out to you this morning. This is the first day that you had planned to spend in glory with Jesus. No doubt you have found yourself here on this side of life, facing at least some amount of disappointment.

Many of you have left your homes, families and jobs because you believed in your heart of hearts that Jesus was coming back for you yesterday. I can’t even pretend to know how you feel in your heart. Nobody can bring your sincerity into question. Neither can we place your devotion to Jesus into question, having forsaken all. I can’t begin to imagine the disappointment that you face.

Please know that Jesus isn’t the one who let you down. If you’ve suffered financial loss and public humiliation in front of your family and co-workers, it doesn’t have to be in vain. Jesus is still coming back for you. It just wasn’t yesterday. You have in Christ the opportunity to rise from the ashes, if you are able to see the situation for what it is, and cling to the Saviour whom you have so eagerly been waiting for.

Sure. Harold’s got your money. Much of it has been spent on billboards around the country. It doesn’t have to happen again. As for the final days, Jesus Himself told us, “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” Matthew 24:36.

Jesus Himself didn’t even know the exact time that the Son of Man would return. So the next time someone claims to know more than Jesus, I pray that you will be the wiser. Please don’t allow this great disappointment to be a dark shadow which allows itself to loom over the rest of your life. Let today be a day where you, having waited so expectantly, would receive Him in humility. You can meet Jesus today on your knees in the brokenness of faith and considering the brevity of life, don’t worry, you’ll meet Him soon enough.

We're All Going to Die!!!!

This past Sunday, our pastor began a series, ‘2012 – Is This The End?’

There is just something sensational when we start talking about the end of the world. It pricks our ears and compels many to buy books and movie tickets. One of my own friends keeps saying that she feels like Jesus is coming back very soon.

I must admit that every so often, I have the sense that the end is right around the corner. In fact, I didn’t think that I would make it here to 2010. But here I am.

Harold Camping is one guy who says that the Bible points to May 21, 2011 as being the day when Christ returns to pick up His people. There is also lot of media hype surrounding Dec. 21st, 2012 as being our final day as the Mayan calendar comes to close.

Here is my prediction and you can quote me if you like.

Kevin Abell says that the world will NOT end on May 21st 2011 or Dec. 21st 2012.

Feel free to print T-Shirts and bumper stickers if you like. The way that I understand end times prophecy, is that the end is supposed to come at a time when we feel rather secure.

1 Thessalonians 5:2-3
For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.

P lease read more of Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, but I think he’s quite clear in saying that Christ’s return will come as a surprise. So if there are hordes or people expecting the world to come to a close on Dec or May 21, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise now would it?

We don't need to ask ourselves 'When will it end?'

The more important question is this - 'Are we ready now?'