So We all know what day it is and the implications it holds. But what are we really thinking about when we hear about this date? Are we cowering in our fears and reservations? Or as Jeffrey has already prompted us; to put on and equip yourself with the armour of God and to brace yourself for what's to come?
If you're just a bit more cautious on a Friday the 13th, wouldn't fly on 9/11 or could never live in a house numbered 666, you are not alone.
Authorities in some cities are worrying prophecy theorists or hate groups might read something ominous into the date and use it as an excuse to stir tension. Some expectant mothers are making birthing appointments to ensure they avoid the date, according to the Sunday Times in London. Whereas a small handful of others have remained strangely nonchalent and casual about the ominous event.
Speaking about omens..I took the privilege to catch the talked-about doomsday flick of the same title just this morning at midnight to be honest. And as curious as I was, I began streaming 'what-if' scenarios.
WHAT IF..06/06/06 would be the start of a series of calamities? WHAT IF..06/06/06 would be the day the Anti-Christ would be revealed? WHAT IF..06/06/06 would let spark the final World War by some funky haired dictator by the name of Kim Jong Il, armed with enough nuclear missiles to give light to one third of space.
As Methodists, we take a relatively conservative stand towards the preaching of the Gospels. One book of holy scripture in particular - The book of Revelations - stands out as the one book whose message is not as readily dispensible as the others by ordained pastors. For those of you who choose NOT to read this book because of fear or other ridiculous reasons such as personal disbelief, take this piece of advice..You SHOULD.
Interestingly enough, here's a small piece of what it says.
"He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666."
Among many coincidences that occur with numbers, life itself is based partly on these three: Carbon atoms, key to life as we know it, have six protons, six neutrons, and six electrons in their most common form.
That there is concern over the date at all is a reflection of how popular it's become to search for the hidden meanings in numbers, experts say.
While some Armageddon believers fear that 6/6/06 will be “a day of satanic power” that may be marked by a comet hitting the Earth, others believe that the world is coming closer to what is widely known as “the rapture” — the moment the Lord calls the Christian faithful home and millions of born-again evangelicals will suddenly disappear from the Earth, leaving non-believers behind.
But I'm not here to create chaos nor am I here to scare anyone. The reality of things is, as Christians, we are empowered by God, to stay strong and firm in His faith. To proclaim His truth. As youths of the church, we shouldn't be afraid. Lest we forget who the Greater power is.
By contrast, another website claimed that the Antichrist had already arrived — he is supposedly George (six letters) Walker (six letters) Bush Jr (six letters), the president whose name adds up to 666. “The violence and destruction that began when Bush first entered office is now certain to culminate in the apocalypse, as predicted in the Bible over 2,000 years ago,” warned Stephen Hanchett at www.isbushantichrist.blogspot.com. (So is Bush really Public Enemy #1?)
Either way, John Moore, the Irish director of The Omen remake — entitled Omen 666 — realised that June 6 was too good a date to miss for a film about a sinister child named Damien who turns out to be the Antichrist. “It’s a fantastic marketing gimmick,” Moore said. “We figured if we could hit this date it would make it all the more interesting.”
So here we have it, straight from the horse's mouth. What we see in the movie, is nothing but false man-made hoodoo and perhaps another form of spiritual warfare which we do not see but should prepare for.
Who's interested in the Da Vinci Code now? With unforseen events looming, it doesn't matter if fear is brought upon by a marketing gimmick. What I want to share and remind us of is that we have a Mission. In fact this mission has a proper name. And it is known as the Great Com-Mission. To spread the word of God to all the ears that have not heard and to all the captives that have not been set free.
We should not fear, dear friends, because each day that we live is a new mercy that God brings onto us. For "the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning, new every morning. Great is They Faithfulness O Lord, great is They Faithfulness. "
Let us unite and praise and call upon his name while casting out all doubts that we have of God and of Christianity.
This was a message brought to you by:
Sherwin.
 |
|
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
 designed by
yenskie
|
|
Quick bits
|
Free Hit Counters