‘End- time’ attracts interest

Vindy.com, Sat, August 28, 2010

Last week, residents of Michigan were treated to a magnificent light show as the Aurora Borealis danced across the Northern skies with unprecedented brilliance.

Although falling short as a “magnetic tsunami,” as predicted, it nevertheless raced toward earth from the sun, reaching further south than it usually does.

It had to be a powerful reminder to people of the recent apocalyptic predictions in general and the years 2010, 2011 and 2012 as years of destiny in particular.

The documentary on the History Channel about “The Final Day of History,” the edition of Newsmax on “The Jesus Question … Will Jesus Ever Return?” and recent environmental and societal catastrophes ranging from earthquakes and tsunamis to economic meltdowns force us to wonder if “something prophetic might be going on.”

This isn’t the first time that “end-time” ideas have captured global attention.

But this time, it all can’t be dismissed as the rantings of wild-eyed prophets.

This time the scientific community seems to be weighing-in with as much concern as the religious group.

NASA officials announced “a massive solar storm (“solar maximum”) may strike earth soon.”

Last year, the National Academy of Sciences confirmed that the 2012 event of polar shift would be more severe than others we’ve experienced in the past.

Voices of multiple cultures spanning several centuries allege a convergence of “end-time” events within the next few years.

They speak prophetically of apocalyptic phenomena with uncanny precision.

The Mayans, Mophi Indians, Hindus and numbers of significant seers like Nostradamus and Sybil, independently and without collusion have written that 2010, 2011 and 2012 are to be years of destiny.

Contemporary “prophets” like David Wilkerson, Hal Lindsay and Tim La Haye preach a similar message.

What is striking this time is the apparent fulfillment within our lifetime of many world- impacting Biblical prophecies that have “end-time” implications; and their convergence with what scientists and other cultures are telling us is about to happen.

We can quibble about a lot of things. But who can intelligently deny national Israel was restored in 1948; that nuclear weapons that can “melt the heavens” now are stockpiled; that now we actually can see anyone, anytime and anywhere around the world; and that after 2564 years Jerusalem now is in control of the Jewish people?

Isn’t it curious that for 1,945 years mankind hasn’t had one fulfillment of a significant end time prophecy, then within a relatively brief period, a series of “end-time” prophesies began to happen.

Jesus said, “When you see these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth near.” (Luke 21:28)

Numbers of Christians also find reason to believe from Jesus’ words that the generation that sees these things begin will be the generation that sees them end.

Could it all be coincidence that so many religious and secular voices speak to this precise time just as dramatically as biblical prophecy?

Is it “chance” the sophisticated calculations of the ancient Mayans, for example, established Dec. 21, 2012, in their calendar as a time of cataclysmic upheaval resulting from a reversal of the sun’s polarity?

One thing is certain: no one knows absolutely if the next few years really will be “years of destiny.”

It’s rather universally sensed that something unusual is happening.

Wisdom suggests we assess our relationships with both God and man to make sure they are what they should be.

If the “end” does come, we’ll be ready. If it doesn’t, nothing is lost.

It’s just good common sense.

The Rev. Guy BonGiovanni is the director of Life Enrichment Ministries in Canfield.