There Is Hope

I am sitting here in my office writing Sunday's sermon and other weekly lessons.  I just finished this Wednesday's lesson on Eschatology, the study of end times.

I have to say, it's been a while since I've taught an in depth study on this.  Not that I don't enjoy it, but it is a lot of work.  But after today's preparation, I have to say that I have a lot more hope.  Why?

The world sees history as something with no beginning and no end.  We say things like, "History is doomed to repeat itself." and "We never learn from our mistakes." because of this point of view.

Because mankind sees life from an evolutionary point of view, it embraces philosophies that only bring emptiness and meaninglessness to human life.  No hope.  Today human efforts are still attempting to lead the world to democracy, freedom, and a new order.  But instead, they lead to new slavery and potential self-destruction.

So what's the Good News?  God has a plan!

From Genesis 1 through Revelation 22 God tells us that there is a beginning and there is an end.  That God has a plan to redeem us from our sins and give us hope that after the last tick of the last clock fades away - we will still be with Him - forever. 

Yesterday I quoted Revelation 7: 9 - 10 9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

All roads lead to this point.  Eschatology shows us what that path looks like.  The Bible tells us how to get on and stay on that path.  But here's the deal!  There is hope!!!  There is hope today, there is hope tomorrow, and there is hope for all of eternity.

PRAY:  Dear Jesus, help me to remember that there is hope.  AMEN