Do Not Be Led Astray

“And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, 6 “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” 7 And they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” 8 And he said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. 9 And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.” (Luke 21:5-9)
“See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and “The time is at hand!” do not go after them.” Such simple instructions and yet is seems no one can really get them right. I never do get the doomsday cults, and how people get all caught up in the end times. There isn’t anything we can do about the end of the world. We can enjoy today and thank God for it. We can listen to God and be prepared for his coming. But there won’t be any preparation for the end of the world, food and ammo will be useless. Don’t horde it, use it up. Quit buying up all the 12 gauge ammo already! You are spoiling my plans to go skeet shooting.
And these people who tell you that the time is at hand? The Hal Lindseys, the John Hagees of the world, Jerry Falwel and the like? Don’t listen to them. Listening to them is not listening to Christ. Not listening to Christ is not believing him. Seriously, Jesus tells you not to be led astray by people saying the time is at hand. So don’t be. Why buy into all that fear mongering? These men are anti-christs, their doctrines are lies designed to fleece old widows. I do not understand when people tell me I will enjoy them. And if you think they preach the gospel, then you know not what the gospel is.
When the time comes there won’t be any doubt about, and there won’t be a billboard telling us it is coming. So just be prepared. Start by going to church and having your sins forgiven, and your faith strengthened with Holy Communion.