Through a Glass Darkly

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face:
now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
1 Corinthians 13:12

My View of Eschatology

Many people are anxious to know the future and will seek out those who may be able to give them some clue to their fortune. Whether it is seen in a horoscope, tea leaves or a crystal ball, the future fascinates us and those who make predictions have a certain audience.

The Bible teaches against witchcraft, divination and fortune telling and many Christians would never consider consulting those who use dark arts. But throughout my life I have heard predictions about the future in sermons and studies. As a child, many of these things terrified me! I was twelve years old when Israel won the Six Day War and occupied Jerusalem. I remember an old pastor telling us that all prophecy was now fulfilled and the end of the world was imminent.

"For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west;
so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matthew 24:27

I would sit at the top of the stairs during a night time thunderstorm, or awaken my mother to complain of a stomach ache just so I could be sure I was not alone in the house.

Well, we made it through 1967 and a host of other end of time deadlines including Y2K. Now we have to prepare for December 21, 2012. (If you don't the significance of this, just Google the date.) I have heard many people called the Antichrist, from Gorbechev to Clinton. Before my birth, Hilter was the most likely suspect. I have seen the sudden fall of Communism in Europe and the rapid removal of Bible prophecy books that had to be re-written before they could be returned to store shelves. I have found my own children frightened by overhearing those who spoke at length about plagues and judgments coming to the earth.

The future is as clear as the dark windows on the old shed I found along the river last week. Ecclesiastes 8:7 says, "Since no man knows the future, who can tell him what is to come?"
I no longer fear what is ahead and know that each day is a gift to be lived in the best way possible. Troubles will come but I do not need to know about them before they happen. Fear is a strong tool that can be used to control others, but faith allows us to believe the words of Romans 8:28.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life,
neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God
that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.