Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Greetings, dear people.
This blustry Spring weather is a bit unpredictable...unless you predict it to be blustry Spring weather. I say the day is half gone because it's now 2:41pm. Time sure flies when you're having fun. It even flies when you're not.
I need to get to other things. So please excuse me while I do. I hereby excuse myself with the wish and prayer that you will have a good and blessed rest of your day.
Love and prayers. Dad/Ray
4 May 2010
Passage: 1 Peter 4
Focus: “The end of all things is near.” 1 Peter 4:7
You have to admit that it’s kind of amusing to read Peter’s words almost 2000 years ago that “the end of all things is near.” So much history has been compiled since Peter, yet we still haven’t reached any kind of terminus. (He addresses this again in 2 Peter 3.)
I have a theory of relativity concerning this kind of thing. And I think Peter is speaking in relative terms. It really doesn’t matter if the fulfillment of his words take place within the week or within the next 3 millennia, it is still NEAR when measured against the backdrop of time and history—and very, very near if considered along side the mind-boggling concept of eternity. The important thing to agree on and believe in is that IT WILL HAPPEN—whether we like it or not, whether we’re ready or not. John points out that truly believing in the imminent return of Christ and the wrap-up of all things has a kind of purifying effect on the believer. “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure” (1 John. 3:2-3).
Let’s not overlook the advice that is attached to this statement. “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” Be reminded that true prayer is relationship or fellowship with God. We will be wise to protect that relationship above all else. Don’t let anything block or damage it. If we protect and maintain it, then it really doesn’t matter when our end or THE END comes. We’ll be ready. That sure makes a lot of sense to me. Resisting or rejecting this basic Biblical idea (for any reason), once it is revealed, really doesn’t make any sense to me at all.
“Whatever happens, there is always Someone Who knew it would.”