Happy New Year!

     According to the Mayan calendar, this is it!  The Mayan calendar runs out in December of this year, and so there are a bevy of nutjobs out there who think this could be the end of the world.  You’re bound to hear about this event all year long.  No doubt there will be experts examining the Mayan calendar, religious officials chiming in and lots of “news” about this possible apocalypse.  I imagine some of us are already tired of hearing about it.

    The end of the world is a theme in scripture, as well.  The difference in scripture is rather pointed.  First, Jesus reminds us that no one knows when it will happen.  In Matthew 24:43, Jesus describes his return in very vivid language: “But understand this: If the owner of the house knew what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and not let his house be broken into.”  There are a couple other references in scripture to the end of this world, but the common theme is that the end will come when God says it will come.  No one else knows.

    Second, for the people of God, its not really an end.  Jesus will return to judge the sinful, and to give eternal life to his followers.  But in doing so, he will make a new heaven and a new earth (see Revelation 21).  And the new creation is going to greatly surpass the old.

    So when you hear these stories over the next eleven months, don’t panic.  God is still in control.  And if this is the end, its actually going to be pretty great for us as we begin an eternity in the presence of God, soaking in the New Creation.

Happy New Year,

Pastor John