Prophets are Rising

Revelation 6: 12

I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red...

Modern day Biblical prophecy is big business. As a poke at Christians at Easter, a friend of mine who is not a big fan of religion posted a picture online depicting Jesus shaking hands with two Madison Avenue business execs behind the large caption, "Congratulations. Prophets are Rising."

I hate to say it but I think he has a point. There is money to be had in Christianity. Just look a the financials at any of the large churches. Some of them are certainly reputable, delivering as much ministry as they can with the donations they receive. Others are notorious for not being so wise and altruistic. Religion scams work because they hit people right where they are most vulnerable; their emotions. And emotions are tied to checkbooks. How easy it is to think you are making spiritual progress when you give for the wrong reasons.

Lately we have had a lot of tragedy in the world at the hands of terrorists and crazy people. We've also seen more of the wonders of our universe too, thanks to advances in technology. So when the universe happens to offer several amazing whammies in close succession, timed with the world's troubles, Humans do what they have done for eons. They assume there are spiritual reasons for the cosmic occurrences. When similar events seem to be spelled out in scripture, well, "look out believers and unbelievers alike! The end times are upon us!"

Ah but hold on.

We have wars and massacres. We have technology for WMD's bartered about like trade deals. We have disease, drought, global warming, melting ice caps, cities incapacitated by snow, floods and drought at the same time we get meteors crashing into Russia, sinkholes swallowing up cars, blood moons (lunar eclipses) and earthquakes. John's revelation; his vision of the future certainly looks to be at hand. Scary stuff. The modern "Prophets" are having a field day. It's not just in the Christian church; Scientology and other cults thrive on such news too. Buy now, pray later.

But what did Jesus tell us? Take a gander at Matthew 24. He acknowledges all the awful things are going to happen, and he predicts correctly that there will be those who will tell you "look here, look there!" What an awesome Lord we trust! He knew the hearts of the evil long before they were born! I like the way he puts it: " For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together."

His advice? Life goes on. Don't bother following the charlatans. Just be ready, anytime, regardless of the news. No one, not even the angels in heaven, know the time for certain. You might be walking down the street, or harvesting the fields, or whatever, and suddenly the faithful will be called. Simply be ready. Anytime.

So, don't let the eagles pick at your flesh. Just be ready... that is to say, be prepared in your heart with your thoughts on God's greatness. Love others. Take care of your house. Reflect on your faith, savor your relationship with a living Christ. Jesus sums it up in verse 46: "Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing."