Armageddon Blues

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According to our Savior, if we think we know when the end is, we don’t. So there is nothing to panic about.

Program Transcript

The popular film “2012” stirred renewed interest, as well as fear, about
the end of the world. Doomsday predictions always gather a following, and
there seems to be no end to new ones. Since the earliest days of
Christianity history records a continual parade of failed predictions.

More recent ones would include the prophetic hen of Leeds. It seems that
in 1806 in the English town of Leeds, a hen began laying eggs that had the
words “Christ is coming” clearly visible on their shells. Fears of doomsday
spread rapidly until it was discovered that the ominous eggs were a hoax.

In 1854 thousands of followers of preacher William Miller believed that
the world would end by March 21 of that year. It didn’t happen, but the
faithful didn’t give up. A new date was calculated – followed by more
disappointment. Even that wasn’t enough. Further Bible study “revealed” that
the date should have been October 22, 1854. What became known as the Great
Disappointment of 1854 is now history, but the lesson has yet to be learned.

In 1980 televangelist Pat Robertson declared, “I guarantee you by the end
of 1982 there is going to be a judgment on the world.”

1999 was a nail biter for those who believed that one of Nostradamus’s
quatrains predicted the end of the world for August of that year.

Millions were uneasy as the year 2000 approached, worrying that even if
the world didn’t end that year, planes would be falling out of the sky as
their onboard electronics would stop working. It was another needless
frightfest.

Televangelist Jack Van Impe declared that the Great Tribulation would
begin in 2001, and that “political chaos, natural disasters, nuclear war and
the worldwide rise of Islam will usher in mankind’s final hour.”

And now we have 2012 taking center stage at the doomsday circus.

Maybe we should take comfort in what Jesus said. He said, “Of that day
and hour no one knows, only the Father.” So according to our Savior, if we
think we know when the end is, we don’t. So there is nothing to predict, and
nothing to panic about. We can trust our safety and care to him, because we
are always safe in his hands.

The bottom line about the Mayan Calendar and the year 2012, and all other
doomsday scenarios is this: Our job is to live faithfully, not make
predictions.

I’m Joseph Tkach, speaking of LIFE.

Program Transcript

The popular film “2012” stirred renewed interest, as well as fear, about
the end of the world. Doomsday predictions always gather a following, and
there seems to be no end to new ones. Since the earliest days of
Christianity history records a continual parade of failed predictions.

More recent ones would include the prophetic hen of Leeds. It seems that
in 1806 in the English town of Leeds, a hen began laying eggs that had the
words “Christ is coming” clearly visible on their shells. Fears of doomsday
spread rapidly until it was discovered that the ominous eggs were a hoax.

In 1854 thousands of followers of preacher William Miller believed that
the world would end by March 21 of that year. It didn’t happen, but the
faithful didn’t give up. A new date was calculated – followed by more
disappointment. Even that wasn’t enough. Further Bible study “revealed” that
the date should have been October 22, 1854. What became known as the Great
Disappointment of 1854 is now history, but the lesson has yet to be learned.

In 1980 televangelist Pat Robertson declared, “I guarantee you by the end
of 1982 there is going to be a judgment on the world.”

1999 was a nail biter for those who believed that one of Nostradamus’s
quatrains predicted the end of the world for August of that year.

Millions were uneasy as the year 2000 approached, worrying that even if
the world didn’t end that year, planes would be falling out of the sky as
their onboard electronics would stop working. It was another needless
frightfest.

Televangelist Jack Van Impe declared that the Great Tribulation would
begin in 2001, and that “political chaos, natural disasters, nuclear war and
the worldwide rise of Islam will usher in mankind’s final hour.”

And now we have 2012 taking center stage at the doomsday circus.

Maybe we should take comfort in what Jesus said. He said, “Of that day
and hour no one knows, only the Father.” So according to our Savior, if we
think we know when the end is, we don’t. So there is nothing to predict, and
nothing to panic about. We can trust our safety and care to him, because we
are always safe in his hands.

The bottom line about the Mayan Calendar and the year 2012, and all other
doomsday scenarios is this: Our job is to live faithfully, not make
predictions.

I’m Joseph Tkach, speaking of LIFE.

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