A Numbers Game?

Just because something sounds like something doesn’t necessarily mean that’s what it is. The same is true regarding looks and even smells. I remember walking into the home of our oldest son’s family and thought I smelled something good baking. Our daughter-in-law said, “No Dad, its just me.” Still, there are those who are continually quick to put Biblical labels of varying things of life simply because they appear similar, and in the process cause people to be fearful of what may not be.

Today is June 6, 2006. It is a significant day in that it is another gift from God and should be used in a manner that exhibits our appreciation to Him for it. However, some have looked at the numbers of today’s date (06/06/06) and attempted to cause alarm from the fact there are three sixes in a row. There are those who have feared “666” wherever those numbers might be found because of the reference in Revelation 13:18 to the number of the beast. I remember reading a number of years ago about an individual seeking to get their social security number changed because it had three sixes in a row. Some might even be concerned that on the Scripture index I keep for passages I have used for the “teEn-MAIL” focuses, I have Revelation 13:18 listed with 06/06/2006.

Due to the attention some have drawn to today’s date, there have been reports of expectant mothers making birthing appointments in order to avoid having their babies on this date. There has been the fear in some cities that this date might be used as an excuse for stirring up trouble by hate groups or prophecy theorists. It has also been noted that 20th Century Fox’s remake of the movie “The Omen” and Ann Coulter’s book “Godless: The Church of Liberalism” were scheduled to be released today, with the date 06/06/06 seen as a marketing opportunity. There are also some who apparently believe the antichrist will appear today. However, John referred to many antichrists having already come. ( 1 John 2:18) Then there is also the view that today’s date is a sign of our Lord’s return being imminent. People too easily take one passage of Scripture and build a whole host of ideas around it that God has not revealed and too many people are quick to believe.

It appears the same ominous focus has been placed on this date that created a lot of fear preceding the transition from the last millennium into the one we are presently living in. Remember all the Y2K hype and how quietly the transition actually went? Have those alarmists just waited for the next date and numbers that inspire some kind of superstitious focus? We need to keep in mind that John (in Revelation) was giving a lot of warning regarding things that were soon to take place (i.e. Revelation 1:1 & 3; 22:10) and the figurative language has been continually misapplied and shifted as major historical events have taken place. Perhaps it should be no surprise that there will be false prophecies today since there were false prophesies made even during the first century.

Paul, writing to the church at Thessalonica cautioned and encouraged…
“(1) Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, (2) not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.” ( 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 ESV)

During the first century of the Lord’s church there were some who rumored Jesus had already returned. Jesus Himself warned that there would be many false christs who would attempt to lead others astray ( Matthew 24:5 & 23-24) and they were not to be followed. He also pointed out that when He returns it will be an event that will not be missed! ( Matthew 24:27)

Paul also encouraged the Thessalonian brethren…
“(15) For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. (16) For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. (17) Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. (18) Therefore ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS.” ( 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 ESV)

Certainly we ought to live everyday as if it were our last, because Jesus declared that day and hour has not been revealed. ( Matthew 24:36) However, for us as Christians, our Lord’s return and the end of all things in this realm should not be a thing to be feared, but rather a glorious event to be joyfully anticipated. May we keep our trust in God’s control regardless of what might be going on in the world around us and live with a longing for the glorious day of our Lord.

Have a great day SUSTAINED BY A SURE FAITH AND HOPE!
Carl

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