ADVENT

Wow

This must be a Utah thing. I saw the disclaimer briefly, really out of the corner of my eye, I thought it was a prank. I mean I didn't get the memo that the World was ending in Sept.

Church Responds to Inquiries about Preparedness
SALT LAKE CITY — (September 26, 2015) In response to several news media inquiries, the Church recently issued the following statement:  The Church encourages our members to be spiritually and physically prepared for life's ups and downs. For many decades, Church leaders have counseled members that, where possible, they should gradually build a supply of food, water and financial resources to ensure they are self-reliant during disasters and the normal hardships that are part of life, including illness, injury or unemployment.This teaching to be self-reliant has been accompanied by the counsel of Church leaders to avoid being caught up in extreme efforts to anticipate catastrophic events. The writings and speculations of individual Church members, some of which have gained currency recently, should be considered as personal accounts or positions that do not reflect Church doctrine. Courtesy Mormon Newsroom

Did this have anything to do with the Lunar Eclipse and the unusual coloration of the moon as it passed between the Sun and the Earth: blood moon I think they call it? Is it the same as a Harvest Moon, but it would be great for Halloween?

Here on the east coast, we had so many distractions, impending tropical storms turned hurricanes (now that could be the end of the world in a more selective manner). The Pope visited D.C. last week (my hometown), so maybe he brought in some positive vibes. Maybe positive enough to inspired the Speaker of the House to resign.

But seriously, I went back and listened to Elder Neil Anderson's April conference talk; "Thy Kingdom Come", where he exhorts that preparing for the return of Christ helps to build our faith. So the key word is prepare, which is less about food storage, and amassing a arsenal of firearms, than it is about looking at the eternal. 

In Malachi the Lord asks “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? There are two really good points in this verse: Endurance which can imply faithfulness and standing which implies covenant making and living according to those covenants.

Psalm 24:4 answers He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. Clean hands reference our integrity, and a pure heart entails just that. We should strive to have a heart for God, to love him with all of our heart, our might and our mind. We are “fixed” on serving the Lord, and not the idol’s of the day which can be any worldly pursuit that is taken out of context and goes against God’s statutes and commandments. Or as a saying in the world goes, name your poison.

If our goal is life eternal, then we need to think on these things and reconcile them to ourselves in this earthbound life. Fear not we are counseled, Peace I leave you. Not as the world gives peace but my peace. I believe that peace is power, blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God.

Maybe we should define  what is the "end of the world". Is it the earth upon which we stand? Or is it the "established order" of all things social, political, and religious, etc? 

Maybe a cursory reading of the Book of Ether will put things into perspective. The scriptures also teach that when Jesus returns he will destroy the wicked.  Psalm 145.20 The Lord preserves all who love Him, But all the wicked He will destroy.

After all is said and done, old things will pass away, a new heaven and a new earth will replace the old earth. But look at this verse: 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; Behold all things have become new. We are a fallen people who are a part of a fallen world ideology, a fallen earth. But now, we who are in Christ are in process of being made new and newer still and shiny and new when Jesus returns. All of the rules, and fallen state of the old world order, the laws of sin and despair, of hopelessness, of dirt and filth, should not be our Truth. Jesus said that I AM come(ing) that they (you, me) may have life and have it more abundant. At this very moment, old things are passing away, sloughing off.

 Have you ever wondered why there would be a need for a “new” Heaven?  Isaiah 29:14  Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work among this people; A marvelous work and a wonder; For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, And the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.”

Before Jesus was crucified his disciples asked him where was he going, he said in John 14:2  In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

In my Father’s house; or rather  in the presence of My Father, (my Father and your Father, My God and your God); in the place where He abides, there are rooms/mansions/glory. This is beautiful Temple imagery that points to Malachi 3’s question of abiding the presence of the Lord. Jesus as the Great High Priest officiates in the presence of God, seated on his right hand of power and authority. He prepares that place; he prepares us to come into the presence of the Lord. But these concepts are too high to understand by the average man, the natural man. But if you consider yourself a new creation, preparing to inhabit a new heaven, a new earth, and then it is important that we seek to understand this.   

  

I have wondered then if we lump the term "world", with earth, moon and sky. I have thought about this a lot and after I got over the fear and panic of "not knowing", I prayed for knowledge.

We have covenanted to "stand" for the Savior and be a witness for Him, in all things, unto death. Do we escape the end of the world if we "die" before His coming? No, we are still bound, but is the destruction of the wicked you or I? I hope not and I believe not. Paul the apostle said in Philippians 1:21 for to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 

For in Him we live and move and have our being: Acts 17:28 "We are his offspring. 

So what is the answer for the “end of the world”, it is the Atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The atonement is a perfect answer, a perfect scenario, a perfect solution for an imperfect and fallen situation. We are not spared trials, and storms and job losses etc. This comes with… but as I understand it, the atonement is that Balm of Gilead, the way and the truth and the light. It is the hope, the truth against the lies. We must prepare ourselves in many ways to live in this world, and we must prepare for our eternal life, and Jesus is coming soon. 

How will we know for sure? Jesus asked his disciples a rhetoric question: “What manner of men and women should you strive to be; he answered “Even as IAM. Wow what a tall order, but then here is wisdom,

In the Book of Mormon, we learn the great truth that we “pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that [we] may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that [we] may become the sons [and daughters] of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure” (Moroni 7:48). Visiting Teaching Lesson Ensign Oct 2015

We have nothing to fear, there is no fear in Love.  Proverbs 29:25 the fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe. 

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