This was the headline a day or two ago! It was fuelled by three events taking place within just a few months, allegedly echoing scriptures about the end of the world. These are: the birth of a red heifer in Israel; the claim that the Dead Sea is now populated by fish and other forms of life (with a reference to Ezekiel 47:8-9 - but no mention that the picture given there depends on water that has flowed from the Temple!); and a snake slithering out from the Western Wall on Oct 31st.
Of course, there is only one relevant Scripture in this context. Referring to the end of the age, Jesus said: "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only." (Matt.24:36).
However, although we may not know the day and the hour, there are many genuine signs (not just three doubtful ones!) that we are, indeed, in the end times. How do disciples of Jesus react to this? Sadly, it would appear that many who claim to be Christians remain unmoved and complacent in their attitude. This means that, with the exponentially explosion in the population on the one hand, and the lethargy of professed believers on the other, we are losing out on the great task of going and making disciples of all nations, baptising them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that Jesus has commanded us. (see. Matt 28:19-20).
In the light of this, someone has made the point that, "We must go posthaste and full throttle if we are to reach this dying generation with God's message of hope and salvation."
"full throttle" most of us will understand. But what about "posthaste"? Well, the word goes back all the way to the time of Henry VIII, king of England. At that time, postmasters were given relays of horses to carry messages for the king to important cities of the realm. Because some couriers were irresponsible, and wasted time in taverns and inns on the way, a drastic law was put into effect demanding that every dispatch rider should "ride for his life"!
The king's edict meant that anyone caught delaying his messages would be publicly hanged! Often, upon particularly important messages, the figure of a man suspended from a gallows, was drawn. Beneath this was the ominous warning: "Haste, post, haste! Haste for thy life!" A number of men were put to death because of their inefficiency, but the practice was eventually discontinued. However, the old expression remains as a reminder that the utmost speed and urgency is required when the king's business is involved.
Writing to the believers in Corinth, the apostle Paul states that we,who claim His name, are ambassadors for the Lord Jesus (II Cor.5:20). Are we, as His ambassadors running "posthaste" to deliver His message of love and grace to others? "The harvest is plentiful," said Jesus, "but the labourers are few; pray, therefore, the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest." (Matt.9:37-38). There is, let us not forget, a compelling GO in the GOspel!
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