It's the end of the world as we know it...

Eschatology.

For those of you who could care less about Greek-based theological terms, eschatology is the study of the end times, the final days on this earth, often specifically concerned with the Book of Revelation in the Bible.

What has been quite interesting here in Hilton Head, SC is that many of the people here take the book quite literally, expecting rapture and tribulation, the beast and the four apocalyptic horsemen, the 1,000 year reign of Christ on the earth and the rule of a certain anti-Christ.

Me? Not so much. Jesus said that the day of His return will come "...as a thief in the night..." and I put my trust in that. Who am I? I'm student at a Christian college with a very limited epistemological perspective of this world.

In short, I don't know a lot about a lot. This included.

Many a conversation has been held in my office (of all places) between people talking about how it would stink to be on a plane during the rapture, or how they've visited the hill where Jesus left and where he will return again, or how reading Revelation it is very clear that we are in the last few years, that soon and very soon the world will fade into oblivion with those under the wing of Christ whisked away to heaven.

There sits me, quiet. The last thing I want to do is to get into a heated argument over the meaning of Revelation, the literary and generic aspect of Scripture, and the entire inerrant / infallibility fiasco argument. If there's one thing I learned in life, sometime you avoid the argument until you cannot any longer, after all, there's no point of arguing with anyone if you're doing it merely to prove your correctness and another's fault. Rather, to argue means that such a subject means so much to me that I wish dearly for the others to see where I come from and even more dearly, I wish them to accept what I say.

That's easier said than done. Righteous indignation is not fought without difficulty.

Lately I've been reading Richard Hays Moral Vision of the New Testament and, as I've said before, it amazes me how deeply the return of Christ drastically affected the authors of the New Testament. Mark felt the coming was soon, and his gospel reflected that, whereas Matthew was admitting not to know such an hour. Paul's eschatology was much different in his first letters than his last letters and John passionately preached hope to those being persecuted and discriminated, stating that when Christ returns all will be made better.

Whether you're Paul, Mark, Pastor Roy or Blake Jurgens this matters. After all, this is the end of this world as we know it (and I feel fine) we're talking about, regardless of whether we may have very dogmatic views or just eager expectation of the coming of Christ, whether we are looking towards tomorrow, next week, next year, or two thousand years from now.

I want Jesus. I need Him. The thing is let us not forget in the midst of our planning for the future that He is here, working about us. How awesome is that?!? That the Creator of the universe works in us, us of all people! He works in rough and gruff construction workers, in sleepy hotel managers, grumpy mechanics, and even in silly psychologists and philosophers...every day!!! And our response?

We're working towards his kingdom. Til then, we are pilgrims on a journey, travelers on the road, and merchants without a place to rest their heads. Our work? To bring the love of Christ to those here, to be His hands and His feet.

My fellow believers. In this way, we are as close to heaven on earth that this planet will get until He comes again? How cool is that? That we of all people are the ropes and chains which are, inch by inch, slowly pulling heaven down here to this earth. Sure, we are frayed ropes, cracked chains, and our strength is insufficient on it's own terms, but when we are enforced with His spirit, we becomes strong. Two ropes are not easily broken, three not easily snapped, and a multitude unbreakable as long as they are weaved together by their heavenly Father. Heaven is coming, someday...just don't ask me when...but it comes. Be excited!!!

Even if there's no rapture...sorry premillennialist folks!

Love u all.

Staying busy, pray often.

Blake