Apocalyptic: In the End All is Well

Apocalyptic grows in importance for me. Partly, perhaps, it is my age. I think older people reflect more on the end of the ages as they realize their own personal end is hastening upon them. However applicable that element of my interest may be, there is another reason that apocalyptic means more to me, and I think, rightly, means more to people of all ages. The message of the apocalyptic writers is that in the end all will be well. In the end all things will be made right.

Judy and I recently watched a 1948 move entitled The Search which told the story of a young Auschwitz survivor and his mother who searched for each other across post WWII Europe. Many scenes were difficult to watch, but I stayed with the movie because I knew that a film from 1948 would conclude with a happy ending. Because I knew all would be well I enjoyed the movie; if I had thought that the writers would have given their viewers a tragedy I would not have enjoyed the movie. I wouldn't have watched it.

The message of apocalyptic assures us that all will be well in the end. This belief which is the meaning of Christian hope enables us to go through each day confidently however difficult the day may be. In another movie, a comedy which I much enjoyed,  a main character assured someone who came to him with a complaint, "In the end everything will be okay, so if it's not okay now, it's not the end!" Jesus said it this way, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

I've heard it said that "God does not re-write history." The message of apocalyptic is just the reverse: in the end God re-writes all things to make them right. Nothing is beyond the power of God. Every tear will be wiped away. (Rev. 21:4) Every injustice will be reversed. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead brings us the assurance of the truth of the apocalyptic message: in the end all is well.

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Grandchildren. Recently, I preached at a church that has three worship services. The first two services have children and young people, but the last service of the day is attended mostly by seniors. Judy was taking care of our grandchildren on that Sunday, and because I had to leave early in the morning, she did not come with me, and I did not expect to see her at the church where I was preaching. Happily, she surprised me, and she came with all three grandchildren to the last service. Of course, the seniors were happy to see small children and a baby at their service. Much was made over them. Sweetie Pie and Mr. Happy ran down the aisle before the service and gave me a big hug. I walked to the back where Judy was holding the baby; folks were all around him making appropriate comments of admiration. When I came to them, he held out both arms to me! I think I preached better at that service!