Pastor's Ponderings, January 9, 2017

Afraid Of The End?

Peter Turchin, a professor at the University of Connecticut’s Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, predicts that the end of the world is near.  He uses historical and mathematical modeling to predict events and is well respected in his field.  In a recent article in Phys.Org, he described that because of increasing social unrest from “wealth inequality, stagnating well-being, growing political fragmentation and governmental dysfunction,” America could risk implosion within the decade.

We have heard predictions of the world or societies ending before. Some have sound scientific theories and others have been quite far fetched. Regardless of the theory or evidence, we can thank God that He will protect those who love Him (John 17:15-16).

At some point, each of our lives will be over but we do not need to live in fear. While God’s children may see the destruction that is coming upon the earth, the Bible says that it will not hurt them (Psalm 91:5-8).  The Bible also says because His children love him, He will rescue and protect them (Psalm 91:14).

While some will see physical death, Jesus promised that we would live with Him eternally (John 14:1-3).  Because of current trends, the professor’s arguments about our society collapsing may be 
convincing. But we know from God’s word that in spite of any personal, societal or global destruction that may be coming, He will never leave us and He will not give up on us (Hebrews 13:5).  We can be comforted in His promises.

John 17:15-16
New International Version (NIV)

15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.

Psalm 91:5-8

New International Version (NIV)

5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked

Psalm 91:14

New International Version (NIV)

14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

John 14:1-3
New International Version (NIV)

1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.
2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am

Hebrews 13:5
New International Version (NIV)

5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."