The phrase used by Jesus in the Olivet Discourse, “And Then the End Shall Come,” cannot in any way be a reference to the end of the world. To interpret it that way is to commit several errors: Such an interpretation misreads the prophetic word of Jesus by taking it out of context, denies the sovereignty of God in His omniscient plan for history, overemphasizes evangelism, imposes misplaced guilt on people for not evangelizing, and creates a truncated view of our calling and purpose in the kingdom of God. Perhaps most deleterious of all, such an interpretation creates fuzzy and unethical thinking about the word of God and, therefore, all of life.
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist (Colossians 1:16–17).
Today’s preachers might tell David the following when he inquired about fighting Goliath in a man-to-man combat to the death, which would decide the fate of Israel: “You’re presumptuously meddling with something that’s too far above your head. We don’t think you’re reformed in your thinking; the sovereign God can take care of that giant. Leave it to the professionals. You’ll be killed needlessly, thus bringing discredit on the cause of the kingdom. It’s just boasting by that giant; you don’t want to get into some type of proud game of ‘I dare you,’ do you? You’ll be just as bad as Goliath by stooping to his level of violence and antagonism. It’s peace and reconciliation that we must have, not fighting and arguing. Who knows? Perhaps his religious beliefs have some value; how are you so sure that you’re completely right? Can’t we learn from others through common grace? Why be so exclusive; maybe we should live and let live with the Philistines. Any way, it’s political; why get tangled up in such?! God has no specific template as to how His people are supposed to be ruled. Perhaps we’ll get more evangelism accomplished if we’re persecuted under Philistine rule? ”
Think about a competition in the world on the scale of the Super Bowl, where everyone tries to have the brightest light. Context: Throughout the history of mankind, it has been nighttime 24 hours a day. Therefore, it’s more than a competition; it’s about finding your way, perhaps even survival, as you seek the man with the brightest light. Some men carry candles, and those with the brightest candles others follow. Still others come up with other ways to carry an even brighter light than that of a candle, and those seeking light follow them. These are the best of mankind, the ones others follow, the ones with the brightest light. Some were frauds, but some were truly great.
Then one day, an amazing and unprecedented thing happens – the sun rises on the earth for the first time. Yet those who we thought were the best of men continue carrying their lights – in broad daylight. Those with the brightest light call on others to follow them, as if the sun had not risen. You have been following one of those men with a very bright light, a light which is now barely visible. Yet he calls you to continue following him. You look around and see things you’ve never seen before, and you now have the light to get around without the light of the man you’ve been following, a man you thought was a great man. What do you think of him now that he demands you continue to follow his light in broad daylight as if the sun had never risen? His light is so tarnished as to eclipse all of its former brilliance. You wonder what you saw in him that caused you to follow him. You don’t even consider continuing your former life. You would have to shut your eyes to the sun and pretend it didn’t exist to continue to follow that man. His judgment seems worse than imperfect; it is fatally corrupted in your sight.
This is a depiction of an Alpha, part of the nervous system of the Omega.
Tom Cruise stars in this Sci-fi movie about an alien invasion
and the ability of an American Army Major to reset time when he dies. As my
wife said, its plot is something of a Groundhog Day meets Aliens. And it is
much too involved & complicated to try to sum up in this review. Therefore,
I am assuming that everyone reading this review either has seen the movie or
plans to see it, and I will simply give the themes by writing this. Also, I
will avoid giving away too much of the plot of the movie so those who have not
seen it can enjoy it.
