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But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers (1 Peter 4:7, NKJV).
It’s the 4th of July.
Let’s take a moment in this Interruption, before family gatherings and picnics, to remember the “therefore be serious” advice of 1 Peter 4:7.
On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence. Two hundred and forty-eight years later (today), we celebrate the birth of the United States of America.
In the Wall Street Journal, I recently read a review of a bestselling book with the title of The End of Everything by Victor Hanson. It’s a book about the collapse of four ancient civilizations.
From this review in the Journal, I include the following quote. . .
What stands out in these four accounts of four civilizations’ sudden destruction is the working of time. We believe that what we have built is so magnificent it must go on forever. But then, it is eradicated, and the world does not come to an end. Only our own world has done so … In this context, one has to think of the fate of the U.S. and the West and how—and if—it will come to an end: whether by internal decay or by a sudden cataclysm. Rather than saying it can’t happen to us, for the sake of our own self-defense, we should always contemplate that it very well might.
Things can end quickly with our lives, our job, and our country. Okay, be patient. We will soon be eating a cheeseburger at our picnic, but let’s continue this sobriety by thinking about the Biblical end of everything.
As the Apostle Paul writes. . .
For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief (1 Thessalonians 5:2-4).
I love reading end-times prophecy in the Bible. With a bestseller entitled The End of All Things—I was hooked and purchased the book.
The four ancient cultures depicted in the book seemed eternally steadfast, but all were conquered in a short period of time, often within a day.
The author of this book says. . .
Unfortunately, the more things change technologically, the more human nature stays the same—a law that applies even to the United States, which often believes it is exempt from the misfortunes of other nations, past and present.
With the United States and any other country in this world today, the Bible teaches that God will have the final say. And whether during the rapture or the battle of Armageddon, many will find themselves unprepared!!!
Too much seriousness for a holiday blog. Now it’s time for that cheeseburger—perhaps we should make it a double cheeseburger.