Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear ones.

Oh my, as I look up and out this window, the dark clouds are ominous…and rain is starting to fall again. It would be nice if I didn’t have to contend with more rain and wind as I need to get a lot more milling done today. Yesterday the wind was so strong and swirling that my normal safety glasses were not adequate to keep the sawdust from blasting my eyes, I opted to operate with my ski goggles…a great solution. But I didn’t put on my skiis.

May you have a great day. Yesterday was the National Day of Prayer. (Our nation sure needs prayer.) Be reminded that you can have a personal day of prayer every day.

Love, Dad/Ray

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 a conclusive 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 when we compare time alongside the mind-boggling concept of eternity. The important thing to agree on and believe is that IT WILL HAPPEN—whether we like it or not, or whether we’re ready or not. But it is far better to like it and be ready. 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 this vital personal connection. 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 TRUTH (for any reason), once it is understood, makes no sense.