Be Afraid and Confused!

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27 NIV)

Throughout the bible God continually tells us not to be afraid and to have peace in our hearts and minds. Even if you don't read the bible very often, you can probably think of several passages where God says "Fear not" or "Don't be afraid." and then there are all the places where Jesus or Paul or another epistle writer offer, "Peace be with you." It is obvious that God never wants us to be afraid, and always wants us to be at peace, knowing that He is in charge and that His love will always win, and that no matter what, everything is eventually going to be just fine.

But then some well-meaning Christians would have us believe that once we turn to the last book of the bible, Revelation, God changes and says, "Be afraid!" "Be confused and let chaos rule in your heart!"

I don't think so.

I have often worked with children and youth in one capacity or another at church and it is not surprising how often they ask about end times and the book of Revelation... Especially when the "Left Behind" series was popular. They hear this bad theology from their friends and classmates and on tv on on the Internet all the time. And we don't know what to tell them, because we ourselves are bombarded with the same bad theology and don't know the answer to their questions. Why, we may not even realize that Lutherans don't adhere to "rapture" theology.

We need to learn about this so that we know what to tell our children and grandchildren when they are threatened by friends about being left behind and are made to fear for their salvation and fear that God wants to torture them and confuse them.

At the Wild Women's bible study retreat I recently attended, the pastors there touched on the subject and suggested this book: "The Rapture Exposed," by Barbara R. Rossing. I've just begun to read it, and I'm finding it very interesting and informative. We owe of to ourselves to find out the truth and not be sucked into "manipulative theology"... Theology that makes you feel like if you take one wrong step or believe one wrong thing, you will burn in hell for eternity...so be very afraid!

Lord Jesus,
Guide us in your truth. Help us to fear not and let peace be with us, now and in the end times and forever. Amen.

Joys: NiteQuil and Dayquil; good books; watching Cecelia and her passion for learning