«For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God» (l Thessalonians 4:16).
PEOPLE ARE AFRAID of the end of the world, but on the other hand, they have hope for the future. Christians, Jews, and Muslims (each in their own way and with their own interpretations) believe that the end of the planet, in its current situation, will occur.
The pace is accelerating. Interest in the future is at its peak. Beyond natural disasters, conflicts between nations, famines, ethnic conflicts, global political tensions, and an uncertain economy, there is hope.
«Come and see the end of the world from the front row,» said the sign on the Yucatan Peninsula. in southeastern Mexico, promoting the day marking the end of one of the Mayan calendar cycles: 21-12-12 and that triggered an apocalyptic tourist boom. It was all excitement. Even the eight best chefs on the planet organized the «End of the World Dinner.»
There is another end of the world announced and promised by Someone who never fails us. Paul affirms that the Lord Himself with a commanding, certain, and powerful voice will descend from heaven. Ellen G. White sums it up like this:
«Soon there appears in the east a small black cloud, about half the size of a man’s hand. It is the cloud which surrounds the Saviour, and which seems in the distance to be shrouded in darkness . . . becoming lighter and more glorious, until it is a great white cloud, its base a glory like consuming fire, and above it the rainbow of the covenant. Jesus rides forth as a mighty conqueror» (Last Day Events, p. 274).
«No human pen can portray the scene, no mortal mind is adequate to conceive its splendor» (ibid.).
«Upon the heads of the overcomers, Jesus with His own right hand places the crown of glory . . . Jesus opens wide the pearly gates, and the nations that have kept the truth enter in» (ibid., p. 282).
Yes, this hope illuminates our future:
«The future has many names. For the weak, it is the unattainable.
For the fearful, the unknown. For the brave it is an opportunity» (Victor Hugo).
Be a protagonist and attend the end of the world in the front row. Take part in the true wedding supper of the Lamb and church.
