Rev. Marlene W. Pomeroy
May 22, 2011
John 14:1-14

Okay, I’ll admit it; I watched the clock a few times yesterday. When I was hanging out with the ATT technician at church, I jokingly said I didn’t want the last few hours of my life watching him run telephone wires.  I turned on the news at 3 pm yesterday to see if there was an earthquake happening in New York City. Did I really think the rapture was coming? No. But I did wonder what I would do if there was a catastrophic incident at that time? Yes. That is what 100 million dollars spent on advertising on 6,000 billboards will get you … some attention. I don’t run in apocalyptic circles so I saw my first billboard a few weeks ago on my way to Long Beach. I wondered what it meant – the ominous date of May 21 and the words “Judgment Day.”  Apparently I have missed all the billboards and RV’s that have been rented to frighten folks into wondering if they are part of the 2-3% who will be lifted up to God in the Rapture. Harold Camping, who predicted the Rapture to happen, for the second time yesterday, heads up the Family Radio organization; According to their most recent IRS filings, Family Radio is almost entirely funded by donations, and brought in $18 million in contributions in 2009 alone. That is down from $177 million in 2005, but far more than the $22 million in 2002. This organization, based in Oakland, CA employs 350 people who make an average of $23,000 per person. Since 1958 this Berkeley educated man has been building his nonprofit Christian Radio Network to about 65 current stations around the country and now the world.

Wow, I kept thinking, as I read about him and his cause, what could have been done with the $100 million that was spent on this one campaign. How many people could have been fed, how many schools could have been built, how many individuals and organizations could have benefited from that kind of Christian giving?

Apocalyptic predictions of the world coming to a cataclysmic end are not new. As far back as 44 BC there have been predictions about the end of the world.  Biblical literature introduced this new genre of Apocalyptic Literature with writings such as the Book of Daniel, Chapter 13 of Mark’s Gospel and the Book of Revelation. Written during times of great stress, oppression and persecution, these writers wrote to address the chaos and fe3ar of their time by imagining a cosmic battle between God and the powers of evil that would result in God’s triumph.  So, there is some biblical reference3 to this kind of event, although it is not overwhelming the message of the Bible.
When the year 1000 came the hysteria was enormous. During late 999 there was actually an unexpected positive change in human behavior as people anticipated December 999.  Crime was reduced; a deep religiosity pervaded the globe; jails were opened as criminals were released; crops went unattended to; buildings were not repaired; many sold their possessions and gave to the poor; there was a mass pilgrimage to Jerusalem as the return of Christ and the end of the human race was anticipated. But again, the world did not end.
Since the predictions are usually woven around interpretations of Biblical passages, with particular reference to the activities and person of Christ, there arose a similar prediction in A.D. 1033. That year marked a thousand years since the crucifixion of Christ. Expectedly, a mass pilgrimage to Jerusalem from around the globe was witnessed. Yet, the world did not end.

In the year 1666 there was a “foray of fit and frenzy. Nothing could be more disturbing than both the biblical and mathematical perception of the number 1666. London was most devastated as over 100, 000 people were killed with a new outbreak of the Bubonic plague and the Great Fire of London took place that year as well. It was a dual desolation. Playing on the number of the year (1666), it generated heated discussion both at religious and public gatherings. It was 1000+666. 1000 signified a millennium and the number 666, according to the biblical book of Revelation, is the mark of the beast, the antichrist that is expected to oppose Christ at his coming. Again, the globe sat unshaken.”

1914 pointed to one of the most important calculations done by the Jehovah’s Witness of the start of Armageddon. In 1975, they had estimated that the year marked the 6000 year after Adam, the first man according to biblical records, was created. Again in 1994, they added another 80 years to 1914 as the beginning of Armageddon. Again, the world has remained.

A local group in Australia calculated that Jesus would come back to earth through the Sydney Harbor at exactly 9.00 a.m. on the 31st of March, 1991. Islamic leader, Louis Farrakhan had declared that the Gulf War, which he termed Armageddon, would signify the end of the world.

Quite dramatic were the effects which the prediction of Korean Lee Jang Rim made in 1992 when he was jailed for two years after embezzling over 4 million dollars of his cult members. He had predicted that by 28 October, 1992, the world would end. On that day, his members had waited anxiously; they sang songs; they prayed; they counted down. When the world did not end, some of them fainted; others committed suicide.

And don’t we all recall the whirl of anxiety that swept across all human borders at the close of the year 1999 which automatically was to mark the end of the second millennium. The year 2000 when brought to the fore was divided by 3 and the number recorded a recurring 666 which of course is the Biblical mark of the beast.
Camping’s latest predictions were just another in a series of predictions – only this time well publicized and well funded. (last four paragraphs pulled from Nigerian Tribune Sat. May 22, 2011 internet site).

Why does it matter that throughout time people have predicted the end of the world? Why should we care if someone wants to raise money and spend it on billboards and RV’s?  I would suggest that because they are using the name of Christianity and Jesus to spread fear and falsehood. Instead of building up the realm or Kingdom of God with faith-filled communities that advocate for God Shalom, they are urging people to put their lives on hold for Divine wrath and overwhelming punishment. Because we as Christians don’t want Jesus or our faith held up and ridiculed as a sham based on fear. Because who we are and what we are called to do is far more important than what these predictions seem to imply. Because $100 million is a lot of money to waste.

Finding our way as faithful people and learning where to put our trust is crucial to us as we strive to be whole persons. As we read the John passage today the disciples were questioning Jesus on just this. They were confused about finding their way. In his imminent absence they wanted to make sure they understood what God wanted them to pursue and where to put their time and energy.  When they questioned Jesus about this, his response was, Look at my life and where I have spent my time; remember what I have taught you and showed you; I have been an instrument of God; when you see me you are seeing the embodiment of God. In verse 15, the next verse after our reading ends, Jesus tells them, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments? “And God will give you a Helper or Comforter to guide you. You will not be orphaned after I am no longer with you. God will always be present to you in some way or another.

Now, contrast that teaching with the 6000 billboards which simply tell people that 2-3% of them will be spared God’s wrath – which means up to 98% of us will be languishing in misery.  What Bible are these people reading from and why are they not focusing on the overwhelming passages of love and comfort and hope? I will say this for these kinds of teachings (and it may be the only thing I admire about them; no, I also admire their fund-raising ability) – they pursue their faith with a passion and intensity that is remarkable. It is a faith that is single-minded in its focus; absolutely rock-sure of their mission. Now, that focus is that most of the world is damned to hell, so we need to work with them on their message. But intensity and fund-raising ability – A+

As we find our way as people of faith, we absolutely, positively need to do the same. If we are not passionate about some aspect of our faith, this should be a red flag. If there is no urgent slogan that you would be willing to pay to put on a bumper sticker or billboard, ask yourself why?! What urgent message do you want the world to know about your God? What would you pay money, big money, to have the world see on a billboard every day driving to work? So, first, we should have urgency or, and a passion about, our faith that we are willing to put our money and energy behind. If you don’t have that, ask yourself why not? Jesus modeled nothing else if not single-minded, devoted passion to bringing us the word of God’s unyielding love to us.
Secondly, we all need hand rails to hold onto at times to hold us up. Sometimes when we are involved in a longer process of something, we can lose sight of the progress in the middle. I don’t care what movement or process you are involved with – the civil rights movement, working on a cure for cancer, finishing an educational degree, or even parenting – but somewhere along the way you are going to get discouraged and feel that nothing is changing, or developing, or that justice will ever come. During those times we need some type of railing to provide a little support and encouragement. Nothing important and worth doing in this world is ever easy. So, hanging in there, and urging others to hang in there is our duty when the going gets tough. Jesus built the early church community as a community for that very reason. He knew people had different gifts and he knew people needed nurture and support along the way, so he gathered groups of people to care for one another and then sent them out to build other groups of people. Gathering for food and prayer and direction was the hallmark of the early house church. We too need both physical and emotional railings to support us throughout our journeys.

Thirdly, we need some confirmation that we are on the right path and are safe in the graces of God. Once in a while we need to ask others for some feedback. We need to check-in and allow others to be honest with us. There is nothing in scripture that urges us to be lone-rangers. Every time Jesus taught, he taught to a group. He sent his disciples out two by two. We are told that when 2 or 3 are gathered in God’s name, God will be there. So, if we perceive ourselves to be healers, or teachers, or whatever, ask someone about your ministry. Ask them how you can be more effective. Now, I don’t mean pick out your biggest critic and give them an open forum!! I’m not talking about starting an argument!! I’m talking about finding a faith partner to give you constructive feedback about your life. Get some perspective from someone you respect and admire. Obtain an outside opinion about your gifts.
The Bible gives us story after story throughout scripture of people banding together to forge their way. It is not just a success story of all the miracles and fine deeds done by upstanding people. It is a series of stories of people:

- who build arks amidst sunshine and criticism;
– of people escaping oppression and starting out anew in a foreign l                 and with no roadmap;
-of women wearing down weary judges asking for justice;
-of powerful people learning how to share power;
-of fledgling followers learning how to find their voice to  offer to   a needy world.

The Bible consists of story after story of people listening to God and making their way in their own circumstances. But with each of these biblical heroes we find people who were passionate about what they were doing, had supporters who were there to guide and encourage, and were always part of a community that helped to shape and mold them to use their unique gifts.

We too need to find our passion for living out our faith. It will not look like someone else’s, but it will be authentically ours and we will know that God has called us to that. And that my friends, is what true rapture feels like. Amen.