The Shape of Things to Come???

Consider a local church's upcoming sermon series (below) to determine if eschatology matters. I believe we have a whole lot of work to do to stem the tidal wave of doom and gloom. The "Good News" of the gospel appears to have been so severely distorted, that it's victorious nature has been ripped from its moorings. Even though 2,000 years ago the apostles lived in the perilous times described by the sermons below, they spoke of the overcoming nature of their faith. I pray that people begin to wake up. This sermon series makes me weep. How has the church gotten so far off course?

Terrorists attacks. Food shortages. Political upheaval. Disintegrating morals. Surely we must be headed for earth’s final days. Is there any room for hope?

God’s Word answers: YES!

In these simple but profound Bible messages, Pastor Rummage identifies crucial truths every believer needs to understand about the end of time, and the difference those truths can make in our lives today. Join us for this exciting and encouraging prophecy series.

March 20, 2010 – Apostasy: The Corruption of the Church (1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:1-5)
March 27, 2010 – Rapture: The Next Date on God’s Blackberry (1 Corinthians 15:20-24; 35-50; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
April 3, 2010 – Antichrist: The Future World Ruler (Daniel 7)
April 10, 2010 – Tribulation: The Worst is Yet to Come (Matthew 24)
April 17, 2010 – Atonement: The Center of Time and Eternity (Romans 3:21-26) – PALM SUNDAY
April 24, 2010 – Resurrection: The Hope for Your Future (1 Corinthians 15:1-11) – EASTER
May 1, 2010 – Armageddon: The Last Battle (Revelation 16:16; 19:11-16)
May 8, 2010 – Millennium: The Reign of Christ on Earth (Revelation 20) – MOTHER’S DAY
May 15, 2010 – Judgment: The Final Verdict (1 Corinthians 3:12-15; Revelation 20:11-15)
May 22, 2010 – Eternity: The Beginning of Forever (Revelation 22:1-6)

Matthew 16:27-28 - "Some Standing Here..."

Have you ever pondered the implications of Matthew 16:27-28 (below)? It seems rather straight forward, doesn't it? So it's rather puzzling that commentators are all over the map on this one, with most refusing consider its most obvious meaning i.e. that some of those who stood listening to Jesus, would still be alive to witness His second coming. What's your first impression? Do these two verses make you uncomfortable, causing you to scurry for your footnotes? It can mean what it sounds like it means, can it?

Matthew 16:27-28 (NASB) "For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds. 28"Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom."

Most often the commentators attempt to do one of two things and sometimes both. They either divorce verse 27 from verse 28 (since chapter divisions were not part of the original manuscripts) as though Jesus was speaking of two events separated by thousands of years i.e. verse 27 referring to a still future 2nd coming, while 28 referred to a more imminent event such as either the transfiguration or Pentecost; OR they couple verse 27 and 28 and argue that Jesus was speaking about about either the transfiguration or Pentecost.

Let me ask you a question. Are the above solutions the most natural and plausible explanations of these verses?

Is it possible that the paradigm/worldview of the commentators, is driving them far afield from what Jesus was actually teaching? Without steeling any of his thunder, consider the short videos believe from Don K. Preston (www.eschatology.org). In these"Preston's Ponderings", Don presents what I believe makes the most exegetical . Well, dig in and be prepared to be challenged.

Handling two objections

Mysterious Mass Deaths of Birds & Fish - Last Day? Kirk Cameron Weighs on CNN

The more I cross paths with actor Kirk Cameron, the more I appreciate him as a brother in Christ. Even though I don't agree with his eschatology, I really love this guy. He's so down to earth and such a committed member of the body.

In the below CNN story regarding the mysterious mass deaths of birds and fish, the interviewer, Anderson Cooper, tried coaxing Cameron into linking these strange occurrences to an impending "end of days" scenario.

Kirk could have easily taken this interview in a very different direction, however, much to my appreciation he stay focused and grounded. Kirk pointed out that after everything is said and done, any given day could be our last. And we MUST be prepared for that day. I think he's right on the money. In this CNN interview with Cameron (halfway through the above clip), Kirk said with a little grin, "I'm not the religious conspiracy theorist go-to guy". And I just about busted a gut. Bravo Kirk!

Then, when CNN's Anderson Cooper pressed him on the whole "Left Behind" series (in which Kirk played a prominent movie role), Kirk said, "I'm probably going to die of some other cause before this [the end of the world] happens." How refreshing! This is a wonderful perspective and one I wish more Christians took.