At nine-ten yesterday evening I was a bit puzzled, not only by the view through a kitchen window revealing darkness had not yet overtaken us, but also by the strange orange aura that seemed to permeate the whole neighborhood. Were my eyes deceiving me? No; my wife and the lady next door both confirmed my sanity, all of us stepping outside at the same time to investigate the matter. To the north, bright blue skies beyond a fringe of white clouds suggested Cincinnati knew nothing of such phenomenon. The atmosphere directly above our heads, however, was a mysterious light grey soup being stirred by an almost “spiritual” breeze, its content growing blacker and much more ominous to the south. The setting sun evidently was being filtered through this particular portion we possessed, creating conditions that seemed to suggest “rapture” had just occurred. Beth and I joked in such manner; but, in truth, it’s probably been at least thirty years since either of us have heard that word mentioned within Pentecost. Eschatology preachers, no doubt, yet manage to make a good living selling their books to those who feast on solving prophecy; but when Hal Lindsay’s prediction of 1981 marking the Church’s departure point didn’t come to pass, holiness folk chased “faith” in another direction. This generation is too busy with “prosperity: name it and claim it” to ponder just when Gabriel going to sound the trumpet. Nonetheless, I believe; not in the sense of swallowing the doctrine “hook, line, and sinker”, its details set in concrete around some certain date; but, most assuredly, in some form or fashion, the idea of being “caught up” to meet the Lord is a probability this old man holds to be factual. It is no different than “heaven”, “eternity”, or the Creator, Himself. Salvation is in the connection, not the translation; and it is amazing to me that many who testify to the theology, seemingly fear the finality. Whether merely a step through some unseen portal or a vertical bungee jump into outer space, what counts is judgment on the other end……
So much to read; so little time! Yahoo, Jim's back!
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying trying to catch up; you've been busy! Unfortunately, my time at the computer is pretty limited due to a problem with my eyes, one in particular. Aging is not for the faint of heart.
Happy retirement btw; now you have time to put together that book...
Thought I'd answered this once, but must have miscued. Google brings its own format to learn anew. It's one reason I stopped here for so long. It doesn't feel like retirement yet; just summer break. They are doing miracles nowadays with eye problems; but you are right: aging, other than grandkids, has its negatives......
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