[amc] a note from the pastor
- From: "garland robertson" <pastor@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "Austin Mennonite Church" <amc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 09:31:34 -0600
Members and Friends of Austin Mennonite Church
I trust you are finding support and peace as you continue your journey of
faith.
The anticipated 'end of days' affects the attitudes and behaviors of persons
in a variety of ways. This concept is called the 'doctrine of eschatology'
in theological language. The biblical witness clearly reveals that there
will be an end to the created order as we know it. Eventually there will be
a 'new age'-- a new heaven and a new earth which conform to the universe
that the creative spirit has intended. It will be characterized by eternal
peace. The scriptures designate the transition to this new reality in
several ways: the Day of the Lord; the Return of Jesus Christ; the Day of
Tribulation. These events are described in detail by the authors who
introduce them. Some of the writers speak of darkness, gloom, desperation,
fright, punishment, vengeance, devastation. Another describes scenes of
blood baths--deviant victims indiscriminately slaughtered until their blood
reaches to the height of the horses' bridles. And there is a less
predominant, less popular voice that introduces this spectacular event as a
time of light and release into the presence of a welcoming God. How are we
to understand these contradictory prophecies associated with the 'end of
days?' And what difference does our understanding of this event make in how
we live today? These thoughts will compose the sermon for this next Sunday,
"Living toward the 'end of days'"
May it go well with you. Sincerely,
Garland Robertson
...always hold firmly to the thought that each one of us can do something to
bring some portion of misery to an end
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