End of the World -- a Reply

Dear Art,

That was a good letter from you. I could enjoy commenting on a number of things to which you referred. But probably the most salient aspect of your letter, as it appeared to me, was when you asked about “The End of the World.” That topic is significant because of the great pressures that exist today between peoples and nations, and various threats of aggression and retaliation, whether ostensible or actual. This seems of greater intensity today, compared to past times, because of the added capacity that exists to destroy other nations, and perhaps even civilization itself!

Now the Bible has two pictures of the future – one is a picture of immense fulfillment, eternal joy, and incomparable happiness, for all human beings who “go God’s way” in this life here and now. The other is a picture of terrible judgment, unbridled and unending wickedness, complete confusion, unmitigated regret, etc., for all who “go their own way” in this life.

Art, you asked in your recent letter, “Does God have a plan to bring about the end of the world?” In answering that, I would say “Yes.” But usually that idea is based upon an attitude of fear. Even the Bible speaks about a time to come when conditions on earth will be so difficult and prospects for the future so threatening that “men’s hearts will fail them, because of fear” (Luke 21:25, 26).

However, as Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon said so long ago about the true and living God, -- “[His] dominion is an everlasting dominion…and he does according to his will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth, and none can stay his hand, or say to him, ‘What are you doing’?” (see Daniel 4:34-35)

Certainly God is good. All that He does now and all that he will do in the future is according to His own perfect and righteous plan. I take that from a study of His being and character in the Holy Scriptures. If we know that He is in control and we trust Him, there is no cause for the fear about which I was writing!

There is no one else who has unlimited wisdom and ability as our great Creator God does. He doesn’t want any of His [human] creatures to face “terrible judgment, unbridled wickedness, complete confusion, and unmitigated regret.”

But God wants human beings to experience, instead, what I described as “immense fulfillment, eternal joy, and incomparable happiness.” The latter can be ours if we listen to God, i.e. if we pay attention to Him by reading and believing His Word the Holy Bible, which is His “Owner’s Manual” for human beings. And above all else that we may factor in, surely we need to focus on knowing and doing His will – being available to fulfill His plan for us, right here and now!

Art, my friend, the God of the Bible, Who is the great Creator and Redeemer, indeed has a plan for history. He is interested in you and me. His deep interest is in each human being on planet earth, now and for the future. He has made us in His image, and expects us to take responsibility for our decisions, especially for the decision whether we will “go God’s way” in this life and leave the results to Him!

Above when I wrote that perhaps human beings could destroy “even civilization itself,” I was only expressing a conjecture made by those who have an inadequate view of God and what He is like. He has given us in the Bible a trustworthy revelation of His acts and His plans, so far as we need to know them. And that Book indicates that God will someday in the future judge this world and destroy it, but will in its place create “new heavens and a new earth” (see Rev. 21:1).

So when you look at this scenario, there is nothing of man’s ability to destroy civilization in it. God’s Book shows that He is involved in His creation; and this aspect of His character is called His immanence. At the same time we see that He is above His creation and separate from it (i.e. not dependent on it for His own existence), and that is known as His transcendence. He is deeply interested in this world, and especially interested in you and me, so He sets up the rules, (surely we need to know our limitations), and we ought to keep them! At the same time, He is kind and merciful toward us, so that we can trust Him to be fair and loving toward us at all times.

Now, Art, this brings me back to the tremendous declaration of God’s love to all human beings in these words: “For God so loved the world [men and women, boys and girls everywhere] that HE GAVE His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him [GOD’S SON] will not perish [be lost forever at the end of life on earth] but have [has now, that is, and always will have] eternal life!” (John 3:16).

Then, Art, if you ask, “is the world coming to an end? I’d say “Yes.” If you ask, “Is it something to be afraid of?” I’d say, “Not if you rightly understand God’s program of the ages, and get in line with His plan of redemption!”

If you ask, as you did, I believe, “What is this world coming to?” I’d say, “It’s coming to Jesus!” Dr. Adrian Rogers used to put it that question-and-answer exchange on his radio broadcast, “Love Worth Finding”. And that is because the Lord Jesus Christ not only lived here on earth for thirty-three years, was crucified, and rose again, but He is going to return to earth to rule in perfect righteousness. And that is the best future this old world can ever hope to have, before it is finally destroyed, and a new heavens and new earth created.

I hope that this information is useful to you. And I trust that it gives you some reassurance about life on earth, -- that life and its outcome are not random, but that the great Creator God Himself is in charge! He has a wonderful purpose for all His creation. And He loves you and me, Art, so that He has a truly amazing plan for your life and mine!
Here’s hoping that you will recognize Christ for Who He is, and will give the allegiance of your life to Him.

Sincerely, -- “PapaPops”

Art asks about the End of the World

Hello, PapaPops,
Here’s what I’ve been doing, -- my wife and I attended a Portland Symphony Concert, and it was wonderful! Then I dug out some old classic books, and did a little reading. One was Pilgrim’s Progress, -- remember that? It was right in the midst of our library selections, jut waiting to be picked up. It reminded me somewhat of the things you were writing about in your last letter to me. It’s quite mysterious though, isn’t it – strange names for characters and places – “Hopeful,” “City of Destruction,” “Slough of Despond,” etc.?!?

The other classic book I’ve started recently is In His Steps, by Charles Sheldon. That’s quite famous, too, isn’t it? Seems to me that it has something to do with acting today like Jesus might act, in various situations, if He were here in the world, as we are. Is that about right? In fact, I’ve just done a little searching, and find that this book, written in 1896 was, by one hundred years later, the tenth most-read book in the world. Amazing! It seems to have an odd twist to it – a tramp comes to church, speaks to the congregation, and then dies there! Don’t know whether I’ll get through it or not, but at least I’ve started. I think my wife said that she read it, many years ago.

No, we’ve done no traveling recently, but next Spring we may “pull up stakes,” and set out. Bryce Canyon sounds good. Would you recommend it, PapaPops? And Pike’s Peak must be magnificent, too, especially if you see it from the right spot! And what about the Grand Canyon? And Yellowstone National Park, etc., etc?

As far as a new career is concerned, I don’t think I’m ready for that yet. Too many things to do, and I want to go at my own pace, at least for awhile. Then of course there are the “Honey, do” lists. I suppose you know all about them!?!

Here’s something I’ve been thinking about – when will the end of the world happen – in our lifetime? And under what circumstances will this happen? I’ve heard some rumblings that sound pretty ominous. Have you? It just occurred to me that perhaps you’ve made a study of this for your preaching work. Does God have a plan to bring about the end of the world? Or is it possible that mankind will cause such a thing to happen by improper and undisciplined uses of power, such as nuclear power? What can you tell me about this?

It really is scary, isn’t it, when you think of the countries that have large armies? And then of course, there are so many countries now that either have missiles with possible nuclear warheads on them, or are working on getting them “as we speak!” What’s the world coming to, anyway???

Now, PapaPops, I’m not interested in just a lot of speculation about these matters. But if you can give me some reliable and trustworthy information about future happenings, I’d like to know about it.

Thank you very much. And “so long” for now!
Your friend, -- Art

An Open Letter to My Old Friend, Arthur Zee –

Dear Art,
As I sit here thinking about you today, I am very appreciative of your friendship early in life. We had some mighty good times talking together over a cup of coffee, didn’t we, Art? You often cheered me up, and I look back on those days with fondness. Now we’ve advanced a good deal through life, from those “good old days.” But we can still remember them, and we can still find a way to encourage each other. At least, I hope that I can be an encouragement to you, my “old friend Art.”

As I think about the different paths that you and I took in life, I remember how you entered business, and became very successful. You just seemed to have the talent, and one might say, the expertise, for that. And besides your natural suitability, you got a business education in the very best schools, and I congratulate you on that. Business seemed to fit your personality, and your individual interests, to a “T.” Now you are no doubt reaping the earthly rewards from such a brilliant career in business. You’ve been able to have an expensive home, and a great car. You’ve educated your children well. And I believe that you’ve traveled a lot on vacation with your wife, and seen many parts of the world.

On the other hand, I chose the way of the ministry. When we were young, you and I talked about what we wanted to do with our lives. Do you remember that, Art? My thought was, and is to this day, that there’s nothing wrong with business, or with the professions, or farming, etc., and I could probably take an interest in several of them. But, -- my desire was to be a servant of the Lord, “full time.” So I went to college and graduate school, to learn to be the best pastor that I could be. Over the years since that time, I’ve been able to preach the Word of God, pray with many people, and participate in the growth of the work of the Lord, worldwide.

Art, now that you’ve retired and seen the world in large part, what will you do next? You’ve helped your children get established in their own homes and families. You and your wife still seem to be in good health. So what is “over the next hill,” or “over the horizon” for you now? Will you travel even more? Will you start a new career? Will you take up singing, or photography, or learn to be a mountain-climbing guide, or what? Have any ideas? Then if you do, what about after that – after you retire for the last time? Do you have an eternal home to go to when your earthly journey is done?

That is my own firm and steadfast hope, and I wish it were yours, too. I actually know, not that I’m wishing so or hoping so, but actually know that I will be at home with our Lord and Savior when my earthly journey is done. Now I say that, not based on anything I have ever done, or could ever do, to deserve such a future. No, indeed! It is only because of what was done for me (and for you, too, Art, my friend) when our Savior gave His life on the “Old Rugged Cross,” i.e. the Cross at Calvary, so long ago. That most terrible death of His took place because of the love that the Father in Heaven has for you and me, and for everyone.

Art, my hope for you now is that you will hear the love from God that I have in my heart for you as a dear friend, and that you will consider the claims that our Savior has on your life. There is a day coming, for both of us, and for everyone else, when all that we’ve known, and done, and loved here, in this world, will be gone. On that day, all that will matter is what we have done with our Savior in this life. Have we trusted Him thoroughly for our past, present, and future? Or have we neglected Him, and pursued only the pleasures of this life?

May I ask one more thing, my friend – would you please take some time soon, to read and carefully study the Gospel of John in the New Testament (often called the “Fourth Gospel”)? It will answer many of your questions about the highest meaning and purpose that anyone can have in life. And then, when you have read, and re-read it several times, would you let me how it affects you? And I want you to know for sure, that if you have any questions about what you read in the Gospel of John, I would like to know them, and have the privilege of talking with (or writing to you) about them. It is such a wonderful life, and it is meant for you as well as for me!

Sincerely, from your old and dear friend,
“PapaPops”

Three Days of the Greatest Week

Three days there are which tower over
The finest days of time;
The days Christ died and rose again,
God’s work of love so prime!

Fierce nails pierced through His hands and feet, --
They nailed Him to a cross;
His lashed back and crown of thorns
How deep His pain and loss!

Instruments of death these were,
But could not take His life;
Instead He gave all up for me,
My children and my wife!

With Him in death two thieves that day,
Three crosses side by side;
One mocked and died in unbelief,
But one for mercy cried.

His plea was heard, and Jesus said,
With words both kind and pure,
“With me today in Paradise --
Your future is secure!”

Now on the Cross His work all done,
“It’s finished!” Jesus said;
His spirit He dismissed at once,
His body truly dead!

Keen friends then take His body down
And lay it in a tomb;
Throughout the sabbath day it stays
In that cold, stony room.

Though final all now thought His death,
No faith! No hope! No cheer!
No enemy could hold Him back,
He promised to reappear!

The long night past, and then the dawn
Of Resurrection day!
In triumph He arose, Who is
The Life, the Truth, the Way!

On these three days my Savior did
What none could ever do;
He paid the debt of all my sin,
And death He conquered, too!

I’m glad today, so very glad
For those days long ago,
Because the Gospel I've believed,
The Savior I now know!

This greatest blessing on life's way,
No secret to you and me,
Is meant for all who want Him, too,
Believe! And you will see!

-- Poet Les