The End of the World As We Know It

You've heard it already, I'm sure. It's the end of the world. Of course, what is the end of the world varies. Maybe it's Obama or maybe it's Trump. Maybe it's gays or maybe it's Christians. Maybe it's Islam or maybe Bible believers. Currently it's guns ... or the lack thereof, depending on your perspective. Or maybe it's not "the world"; maybe it's "our way of life" or some such. I've had discussions with Christians regarding their consternation that the Church may be coming to an end in the current societal environment. Same thing -- the end of the world as we know it.

This is where I find great comfort in a world of turmoil. And it isn't found by eliminating the turmoil. Did you know that? Genuine peace does not require placid circumstances. Genuine peace, in the words of Scripture, passes understanding (Phil 4:6-7). So in this topsy-turvy world, where is this peace? The simple answer is in Christ, for "as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes." (1 Cor 1:20)

We have the certainty that while others intend evil, God intends good (Gen 50:20), the promise that God works all things -- ALL THINGS -- together for good (Rom 8:28). We can say with Job, "Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" (Job 2:10) We know that trials produce patience and patience produces perfection (James 1:2-4). We can be sure that God works all things after the counsel of His will (Eph 1:11), that He does all that He pleases (Psa 115:3; Psa 135:6; Ecc 8:3). We know that, since "God is for us, who can be against us?" (Rom 8:31)

Some take this kind of thinking as either proof or refutation of the concept. "If this is true, then there's nothing to do but sit back and do nothing; God will work it all out." If they like that idea; it's proof. If they think that's wrong, it's refutation. But both miss the point. The certainty of God's promises around His care for His own glory and His own people in the midst of hard times is not permission to be lax; it's license to be bold. It's not a means to do nothing; it's the empowerment to do much. The people of God can stand on the promises of God in the face of "the end of the world as we know it" and know peace, know power, know good, know perfection.

You see, then, that God's promises in times of trouble aren't a reason to do nothing. We ought to act. We should oppose evil and favor good. Why? Because we can fix things? No, that's only God. Because good will save them? No, that's only Christ. But the more our society aligns with biblical morality, the better off our society is and the more we work toward God's ends, the better off they and we are. That work must begin with sharing the Gospel (Matt 28:19-20). That work must include good works done for God's glory (Matt 5:16). That effort must be based on loving God and loving others (Matt 22:37-40).

The truth is we know the end of the story. The world doesn't go out with a gun shot, a president, or false beliefs. It goes out with Christ as the winner, the King of kings. When we lose sight of that we lose the peace we are promised. Therefore, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil 4:6-7)

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isa 40:28-31)