I grew up as a PK (Preacher’s Kid) and spent most of my early years in church. The denomination in which my father practiced his craft was one of those on the fundamental side of the Faith. As a part of the belief system in which I was raised, there was a stong emphasis on Eschatology, End Times and the “Second Coming.” My father was big on Biblical Prophecy and even had a set of charts that outlined a history of the Faith as well as a predictive part that “hinted” at a time that the world would end and the next phase of life would be ushered in.
I knew every sermon he ever preached about that subject. I could almost quote them verbatim. I’m not sure I ever really understood any of the details growing up; however, what I heard scared me to death!
I would often awaken in the middle of the night with my heart pounding in my chest as a result of the nightmare associated with the information shared by my father. As I grew older, I realized that this philosophy was shared by a vast number of people. Some of the words and phrases that influenced the early years of my faith were:
- Second Coming
- End Times
- Apocolypse
- Rapture
- Phophecy
- The Beast
- 666
- Armageddon
The list could go on. I walked around terrified that all of the predicted events would happen any day. The end of the World scared me spitless!
As I grew into adulthood, my faith softened a bit. I realized that there were many ways to look at and interpret the passages most often associated with this particular field. I began to explore and study them. I discovered that all faiths have “End of the World” beliefs and scenarios. The similarities far outweigh the differences, regardless of which faith is read.
How the world will end is a fascinating subject. Books and movies and poems and plays have been written about this subject. Suffice to say that there are almost as many opinions as there are people on this planet.
As strange and interesting as discussions about the End of the World may be, perhaps there are some ways to look at this idea that are more practical and down to earth. What if “The End of the World” happens every single day we live? What if “The End of the World” happens in still, quiet ways that leave us devastated, confused and desperate? What if “The End of the World” demands our intervention? Curious? Read on then . . .
I believe The World Ends when:
- We lose a loved one to death.
- Familes are devastated by a divorce.
- A diagnosis of cancer is given after a routine doctor appointment.
- We are given a “pink slip” at work.
- A romantic relationship ends abruptly.
- A family has to move to another town or state due to financial cirises.
- Friendships are severed due to misunderstandings.
- We fail to make the team or get into “that college,” or land that job.
You see, I believe that The World as we know it Ends in small and large ways more often than we are aware. And these “World Ending” events rarely cause an end to all things. No, we are left to deal with the devastating aftermath. As a result of these life experiences, we find ourselves struggling with mental, emotional, relational, physical and spiritual outcomes that demand attention. Many, many times we find ourselves struggling alone in the silence of our own fear and doubt and desperation.
The ultimate redemption that is promised with the “Prophecy Movement” almost gives those who believe and buy into it, an excuse to delay or avoid altogether, the commandments to love, serve and give to our fellow man. It is almost as if there is a “free pass” because Heaven is our home and life will be perfect when all of that comes!
What if the ultimate redemption we seek finds expression in giving to the poor, ministering to the sick, comforting the broken hearted, sharing our possessions, supporting those less fortunate than we or taking care of those judged by the “righteous?”
I belive when we choose to detach from those in need, that “This Is The Way The World Ends.” The World and perhaps our reason for living in it, cease to exist when we choose to ignore.
We are so taken by the flamboyant, the boistrous, the flashy, that we fail to recognize the unifying nature of paying attention to those around us and working within the common ground we share.
As this post draws to a close, I am reminded by a song and a poem that walk the fringe of the more popular, modern-day views of the way the world will end and ask is to think differently. The song is by my bud, Ronnie Dunn entitled “Holy War.” If you’ve not heard it, I urge you to Google it and listen. The poem was writtgin by T.Sl.Eliot in 1925 following WWI. It is entitled, “The Hollow Men.” If you’ve not read it, please do.
The final lines of “The Hollow Men” go like this:
“This is the way the world ends, This is the way the world ends, This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang, but a whimper.”
The world ends every day for many around us. The world ends for us from time to time as well. When it does, it often comes in ways that quietly devastate us. We are left bereft, alone, scared, hungry, confused and . . . whimpering – wondering what comes next.
Maybe if we were to become more aware of the ways the world ends every day, we might find ways to be of more help. Wouldn’t that be good?
Peace!
Mark E. Hundley
