The end is upon us. What path I shall take I do not know. I could, like so many others, embrace the impending doom of this earth; build a bunker underground and store up my dried raisins and apricots. On my current budget my underground bunker wouldn't protect me from the local dog digging up his bones, let alone a nuclear holocaust.
With the unfeasibility of my first idea clearly evident, as is also the case with the vast majority of the earth, for whom doomsday prepping is not as high on the agenda as finding food and clean water for their families each day, I must embrace a different outlook.
What about the path of unbridled optimism? This also has become a very big trend in religion and the world. Life is bound to only get better. Your dreams will come to pass. You are going to get richer. Your house will be bigger, your car will be better. God is going to upgrade you. 'Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow.' Whether an optimistic tomorrow, or a pessimistic tomorrow, both alike are the lifeblood of religious employment and the Babylonian world system.
We need deliverance from both.
Today is the day of salvation!
This is the truth that brought an end to generations of religious employment, nullified a priesthood, brought an end to sacrifice and offering and fulfilled the expectation of countless generations.
The very same truth would bring us rest from our religious workings and wanderings today if we would only believe it. It would probably spell the end of Christian TV, wipe out half our bookstores and leave many ministers out of a job also if we were totally honest. Enough of a reason for many to suppress the truth just as they did the first time.
So while we all fight over whether the glass is half full or half empty we forsake the clear and present reality that the glass has water in it and the best thing for us to do would be to just drink it. Oh, and by the way my cup is overflowing, so Jesus killed that question. I've got rivers of life today; I don't need to store up when I have an eternal spring.
Speak the words
After the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, we see that same religious and worldly system which Jesus so severely threatened by His mere existence, once again trying to suppress the truth by throwing the apostles Peter and John into prison.
What does the angel instruct them to do as he looses their chains and walks them out of the prison doors? 'Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.' (Acts chapter 5, verse 20). Not tell them about the afterlife, or tell them to follow their dreams, not even to tell them about the impending destruction of Jerusalem. Speak to them the words of THIS LIFE!
This present life! The Holy Spirit life, the salvation that has come and invaded today! The Holy Spirit takes care of tomorrow by bringing heaven to the present.
Why do trends come and go, and why hasn't this thing been wrapped up by now? Have you ever thought, just maybe, that we like the children of Israel have been doing laps around the mountain because of unbelief?
Some may protest that their chosen path of bunker building and bean buying has been supernaturally guided by God. Or those who are on their way to acquiring their mansion and private jet have seen supernatural blessing which must make their way right.
Well, just remember it was God who, by fire and cloud, led Israel around the mountain, not because they were right, but because they needed to die. You too can perish in the error of Balaam, just call now and send your best seed offering.
Unbelief takes generations to destroy. Belief fulfils in a moment.
Don't worry about tomorrow, sufficient for your attention is today. What's today's priority? How about the rest of salvation? How about belief? The cup of religion isn't half full or half empty; it's been washed away in the river of life. So drink, jump in and swim, enjoy.
The best life is the one you have been given. The life of Christ. The day all the prophets spoke of is not tomorrow. The day is called TODAY.
Joshua Robbie is from the Gold Coast Australia where he runs a painting and decorating business. Though he has many interests, including basketball and surfing, he with Rene' have determined to give themselves in service to the kingdom of God in all aspects of life.
Josh Robbie's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/josh-robbie.html