Imagebearer’s Weblog

This is me running in Heaven someday

November 5, 2009 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Book Review – 2012 The Bible and the End of the World

To relieve some fears, Hitchcock does not believe that 12-21-12 is the day the world as we know it will come to an end. He has written the book in response to the huge interest in the belief that when the Mayan Calendar runs out on December 21st, 2012 the world will come to an end. In the book, Hitchcock says this date has the makings to be larger than the massive amount of people who believed Y2K and the calendar rolling over to the year 2000 was the end. There are thousands of youtube videos posted relating to the end of the world being in 2012, there are thousands of web sites including those that will help you prepare to survive the coming destruction. This thing is really big!

It is not a bad book and I believe it is an honest representation of what is taught regarding the Mayan Calendar and what people are teaching. Again Hitchcock believes it is just another end times prediction that will fail just like every prediction with a set date to this time.

In the book Hitchcock gives an overview of what many believe to be the course of events. With God Rapturing the church and then a course of events including a 7 year peace treaty etc….It is what I have found as a typical belief and teaching in the evangelical circles. Let me state that I believe people who teach this have good reason to do so but I am not fully convinced of this teaching. I would dare say that a large number of people who believe this view only believe it because it has been taught by their religious body to be the right teaching. I am not saying they are wrong, just that they have not studied it for themselves. If people are honest, even many reading this post will have to admit they believe whatever it is they believe about the end times because of someone else’s belief.

After studying the Bible for many years now and completing my Masters Degree in Seminary I still have not studied the end times scriptures enough to come to my own conclusion. After my years of study and witnessing how God often used stories that happened in life to describe what would happen in Gods economy, such as flood stories etc… I believe it is possible that God could use the Mayan Calendar and come back on 12-21-12. However the scripture says that no one knows the day or the hour of Christ’s return, He does say that we can discern the “signs of the times”. in my discernment of the times, I would say that we are ready for a catastrophic event in this world.

There is a bit of great information in this book that will help you to be knowledgeable of the many things that are being done in this electronic age and how that relates to the end of time as we know it. It was a profitable read for me.

No I do not believe that 12-21-12 is the day that Jesus will return, I believe it could be tomorrow!

Ronnie

November 5, 2009 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Meditating and developing a sermon for November 22nd

1 Peter 4 NIV

Living for God

¹Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. ²As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. ³For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. ⁴They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. ⁵But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. ⁶For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

⁷The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. ⁸Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ⁹Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4 The Message

Learn to Think Like Him

^1-2Since Jesus went through everything you’re going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you’ll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want.

^3-5You’ve already put in your time in that God-ignorant way of life, partying night after night, a drunken and profligate life. Now it’s time to be done with it for good. Of course, your old friends don’t understand why you don’t join in with the old gang anymore. But you don’t have to give an account to them. They’re the ones who will be called on the carpet—and before God himself.

⁶Listen to the Message. It was preached to those believers who are now dead, and yet even though they died (just as all people must), they will still get in on the life that God has given in Jesus.

^7-11Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!

November 5, 2009 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

This day in the life of your pastor – November 4th, 2009

November 5, 2009 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment