Amos 5:18-27: So you really want the end to come?

Amos 5:18 Woe to you who long for the day of the Lord! Why do you long for the day of the Lord?

The coming of the day of the Lord was scary for Israel, and I wonder if most Christians today realize how terrifying God can be. We know that we have been saved from his wrath by the blood of Christ, so that takes some of the edge off. However, the message of Amos speaks loud and clear: "I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your gatherings. Even though you bring burnt offerings to me, I will not accept them. " (Amos 5:21-22)

If we think that God is near, and perhaps that the day of the Lord is near, then we should react with fear and trembling with much repentance. Yes, we are forgiven. But how sure are you that your current lifestyle and actions totally please the Lord? He took his people to task with Amos because they were prideful in their religious accomplishments. Will he view today's church in America in the same manner?

It scares me to think about it.

When things look out of control

It is always an adventure when big-picture events in our world take a negative turn. When the banking industry suffers a significant meltdown, all of us are left to ponder the future. Most of us have to acknowledge that fact that most of the things we put our faith in are very temporary and subject to change. Thus, when Wall Street shakes, we all feel it. Our faith is only as strong as the object of our faith.

Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and Russia. Rumors of wars in Iran, N. Korea, and any other country in the world.

Persecution of Christians all over our world.

The upheaval of nature including hurricanes (four MAJOR hurricanes in three years between New Orleans and Houston), a major tsunami, wild fires, global warming or freezing (depending on where you are standing at the moment).

All of the signs of the end of the world about us. Is it time?

These events remind me of "The Gospel Apocalypse" found in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. These accounts have a general order of events that goes something like this:
1. False Messiahs will appear
2. Political unrest (wars, rumors of war)
3. Upheaval in nature (famines, earthquakes)
4. Persecution of Christians
These images also appear in Revelation 6 in the four horses of the Apocalypse--a sign to me that both passages seem to be addressing similar issues.

And these things are just the beginning.

But I do not want to sound an alarm of panic. The basic truth of the situation is that our mission as Christians does not change in the end time. We are to be proclaiming the good news of Christ regardless of the day or the hour. There is an urgency that the "end" brings, kind of like a 2 minute drill in football. However, we are to be urgent about the eternal fate of all people, and our motivation should be more than the end of time. Our motivation should be the love of Christ.

We want to avoid the sign of the end times mentioned in Matthew 24:12: "Because of increased wickedness, the love of most will grow cold . . ."

Instead we need to be like those "who stand firm to the end. . ." (Matthew 24:13).

Stand firm is the opposite of panic. So, hold to your hope in Christ and continue to serve him regardless of the times.

Remember, when things are out of control, God is in control.