We have all heard the saying "prophet of doom" regarding someone who speaks of events people don't want to know about, but have you also heard of the Doomsday Clock? Yes, there is one. In 1947 (co-incidentally the year of my birth), it was established by an international group of of researchers called the Chicago Atomic Scientists. The clock was chosen to reflect the urgency of a problem: like a countdown, the clock suggests that destruction will naturally occur unless someone takes action to stop it.
It not only represents nuclear threat but other things such as climate change, bioterrorism and, interestingly, artificial intelligence. In 1947 it was set at 7 minutes to midnight. During the intervening years it has been set forwards and backwards a number of times as scientists met to consider the current 'climate'. In January this year it was set at 2 minutes to midnight which is a rather sobering thought.
You may be wondering why I am writing about this, but I write as a warning; even scientists consider that we are living in the last days. The Bible has quite a lot to say about the last days. God's prophets have written for centuries about the last days. I believe that these last days began when Jesus Christ was born in Jerusalem a bit over 2,000 years ago.
I was stirred to write this as I read the Apostle Peter's two letters written to believers way back about AD68. He wrote this "I am writing this......that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” 2 Peter 3:2-4
It is certainly a long time since these things were written and the church speaks very little (for the most part), about time, as we know it, running out. Probably because to do so usually stirs up the scoffers and that is uncomfortable. Peter addresses the time issue with these words, "...do not forget that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years as one day." 2 Peter 3:8.
When the end finally comes for all of mankind, and it will, that will be God's time to judge. It will be a great 'sorting time' between those who chose to believe God and follow His way and those who chose to refuse his gift of salvation and do life their own way. Peter goes on to tell us why God allows this time lag. "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." God is gracious, loving and patient, but he is also just. Righteousness and justice are the foundations of His throne (Psalm 97:2). You may want to consider that and what it means for you.
Peter goes on to say that "...the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up." 2 Peter 3:10 He goes on to say, in effect, that since this will come to pass we had better examine ourselves and be found to be following God's way.
Get your Bible out and read this chapter, there's more. If you haven't got a Bible then pull one up online, it's easily accessible. Read for yourself and consider. It's 2 minutes to midnight, and besides, we never know when our own last day will come!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me to understand what you require of me. Amen
