Several weeks ago as he was unloading my trailer, the crane operator asked if he could keep a small, circular piece of metal that he found. As I gave my assent, he noticed my inquisitive expression and replied (with a twinkle in his eye), “I need this for target practice in order to prepare for the apocalypse that is coming!” He spoke in jest, but many people are living in fear and paranoia as they ponder whether the apocalypse might truly be here. By this they mean, “Are the pandemic and the recent earthquakes, wildfires, and swarms of locusts around the world signaling the final, violent end of humanity?”
The Greek word for apocalypse actually means “unveiling” or “revealing” rather than “the end.” As Christians, we recognize that we should “be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected” (Matt. 24:44). We always live with the expectation that the apocalypse is near and yearn for that time when the new Jerusalem is revealed, pandemics will be no more, and “there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain” (Rev. 21:4). Rather than fearing a violent end to this world, we live with expectation that the eyes of many will be “unveiled” and true hope found in our Savior, Jesus Christ will be “revealed.”
-Pastor Jay
