Groundhogs & The Future

Why were so many people concerned about a groundhog last Saturday?

Oh, I know all about Groundhog Day. I even saw the movie. But why does it make the national news? Why does a whole town in Pennsylvania obsess over a groundhog’s shadow?

Can a large rodent-like creature actually make a dependable prediction about winter?

Americans are fascinated with the future (in this case, the weather for the next six weeks.) It’s still amazes me that with all our satellites, radar and ability to forecast weather, the groundhog tradition still hangs on.

Of course the media likes a good story. And the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania has made a media-friendly circus out of the event. But back to the weather.

We’re not the only ones to be fascinated with weather prediction. Back in ancient times people wanted to forecast the weather also. But without our technology, they had to rely on observations about nature.

We still quote the ancient proverb today when we say, “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight; red sky at morning, sailors take warning.” Jesus even referred to this common observation!

Then he said, “You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.” Jesus noted that by observing “signs of the times,” we should know when his return is near.

Have you been paying attention? Events in the Middle East and around the world seem to indicate that we may be living in the last generation before Christ’s return.

A recent survey revealed that 42% of Americans believe we are living in the “Last Days.”

Hold it right there for just a minute! Is that even a possibility?

Non-Christians tend to view talk of Jesus’ return as religious hype. But modern Evangelical Christians are not the only ones to talk about Jesus’ return and the end of time.

Sir Isaac Newton, born in 1642, found the Old Testament book of Daniel’s view of the future intriguing. After a thorough study, he predicted the world’s end would come 1,260 years after the establishment of the Holy Roman Empire. The Empire began December 25, 800 A.D.

For those committed to human reason, that’s a tad unnerving. This was not the raving of some wild-eyed apocalyptic preacher. Newton was the father of modern science. His predictions about the laws of gravity and the motion of the planets eventually proved correct.

Consider this: at least 80 specific Bible prophecies were fulfilled at Jesus’ first coming. And their accuracy was amazing. But, even with all that, his arrival still caught most by surprise.

Many will be surprised when Jesus returns. Christians, however, should not be. The Bible says, “But you brothers are not in darkness that this day should surprise you like a thief.”

Since Christ’s return is near, the Apostle Peter asks, “What kind of people ought you to be?” His answer is “You ought to live holy and godly lives.” But how do you do that?

First you need to have faith. The Bible says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” That means to believe that Jesus died for your sin, was buried and rose to give you a new life. Next you must personally trust in Christ as your Lord and Savior. Finally, the Bible says that we must be “alert and self-controlled…putting on faith and love.”

Jesus asked, “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” I hope he finds it in your heart and sees it in your life!

Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!

The Armageddon Triangle

Ever heard of the Bermuda Triangle? It’s an area of ocean near the island of Bermuda where many ships and aircraft are believed to have mysteriously disappeared.

What could be more amazing? How about the ”Armageddon Triangle?” What’s that? Well if you’ve got a minute, I’ll tell you.

The Armageddon Triangle is what I call the convergence of End Times beliefs from the three monotheistic religions of the world: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

A recent survey of average Americans shows that 42% believe that we are living in what the Bible calls the “Last Days.” And it’s not just Evangelical Christians. One in three Jews also believe we are living in the Last Days.

Due to the best-selling “Left Behind” books, many Americans are aware that Evangelical Christians believe in the “Second Coming” or return of Jesus Christ. They also believe that it is “imminent”—that it could happen at any time.

What many don’t know is that Islam and Judaism share similar expectations.

The Muslim President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is not a lunatic, as some believe. He is a dedicated Shiite who believes in the soon return of a Messiah-like figure, the Twelfth Imam or Mahdi, a descendant of the Prophet Mohammed. (Jesus Christ is expected to return at the same time, working by his side.) Shiite Muslims of this persuasion believe that the Imam’s return will coincide with an apocalyptic battle between the forces of good and evil (an “Armageddon,” if you please). Ahmadinejad appears to see his role as a “John the Baptist” type, preparing the way for the Muslim “Messiah.”

(If you would like documentation for this, see Joel C. Rosenberg’s book, Epicenter: Why the Current Rumblings In the Middle East Will Change Your Future,” Tyndale, 2006. You might also want to read the last two paragraphs of Ahmadinejad’s September 2006 speech to the U.N. where he prays for the return of his “Messiah.” See below.)

While thinking all this over near the end of 2006, I received an email promoting books by Rabbis in Israel. Their topic? –Whether the Jewish Messiah is about to come and if we are seeing a present-day fulfillment of the Biblical Prophecies in Ezekiel 38 and 39. Those prophecies refer to a treaty between Russia and Iran. Such a treaty has not existed in 2500 years—until now.

My first response was “Wow! I had no idea that these three religions shared similar, Messianic/”End Times” expectations!” (Even more interesting is that Israel apparently had a similar Messianic expectation just before Jesus Christ was born!)

Regardless of what you believe about the Bible and its prophecies, just a brief review of these facts should be interesting, if not disconcerting.

There are many differences between the three major monotheistic religions. But all three seem to agree on this: Jesus Christ was a teacher or prophet and that he (or a messianic figure like him) is about to come soon—in one way or another.

All of this, plus the daily events in the Middle East, is enough to make a thoughtful person wonder if something important (of Biblical proportions?) is starting to unfold on the world stage.

Do you want to see what Jesus said about all this? Now might be a good time to pick up a Bible and read the Gospel of St. Matthew, chapter 24.

Jesus said he is coming back. –It may be sooner than you think!

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[Following is the last four paragraphs from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s speech September 16, 2006 before the United Nations General Assembly in New York.]

The Almighty and Merciful God, who is the Creator of the Universe, is also its Lord and Ruler. Justice is His command. He commands His creatures to support one another in Good, virtue and piety, and not in decadence and corruption.

He commands His creatures to enjoin one another to righteousness and virtue and not to sin and transgression. All Divine prophets from the Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) to the Prophet Moses (peace be upon him), to the Prophet Jesus Christ (peace be upon him), to the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him), have all called humanity to monotheism, justice, brotherhood, love and compassion. Is it not possible to build a better world based on monotheism, justice, love and respect for the rights of human beings, and thereby transform animosities into friendship?

I emphatically declare that today's world, more than ever before, longs for just and righteous people with love for all humanity; and above all longs for the perfect righteous human being and the real savior who has been promised to all peoples and who will establish justice, peace and brotherhood on the planet.

Oh, Almighty God, all men and women are Your creatures and You have ordained their guidance and salvation. Bestow upon humanity that thirsts for justice, the perfect human being promised to all by You, and make us among his followers and among those who strive for his return and his cause.