Loose talk

The talk on the block is of end times! The Vice President of the US - JD himself, was interviewed by an American Christian channel about whether he thought the return of Christ was about to happen, and he essentially said that he thought that was likely, if it hadn't happened already. Certainly, it is reputed that some American Military Leaders were actively encouraged by Peter Hegseth, US Minister for War, to ensure that when in battle against Iran, that they make Armageddon happen, and thus the return of Christ take place. The suggestion that Jesus Christ is somehow under the summoning power of any human government, leads me shaking my head. Something here about at best, mis-reading scripture, at worst choosing to intentionally manipulate it.

And yet, something else is before us, and is happening and if I'm honest, I'm a tad nervous about it.

The talk in the UK is of climate devastation and food interruption, significant price rises in the next year, and farmer's crops and harvests significantly reduced this summer. The El-nino of this summer is predicted to be repeated in 27, and alongside water shortages, the Iran war causing gas and petrol increases, plus the Russian-Ukanian war now closing in on Putin, some retaliatory action is now not just thought possible, but likely.

There are one or two or more in WBC, as elsewhere, who follow Peter Greig and one of my colleagues posted yesterday as somewhat disconcerting "Word" from him entitled "Prepare for War" from a time in March with 24-7 when he was in South Africa. I don't actually follow him, but it's better to know what is being said - right or wrong, than live in ignorance.

So what do we make of the days in which we live? The scripture calls us to "Be alert!" Actually 3 times in 1 Peter and once in Mark's Gospel. I think we need to hear this summons, and more so rather than sleep walk into future days.

Being alert surely leads to reflection and then to prayer and then action.

The way we are living is, once again, seemingly about to change, and not necessarily for the good. Harder, more challenging economic days are indeed ahead. Speaking personally, our grocery bills have gone vertical, our petrol costs too, our bank balances not what they were.

The Harvest Festival that we will share in a few weeks time, must surely take on board the changes we are facing - not as "out there somewhere" for us, now! The lack of harvest is now tangible and real and it's right now an issue for us all.

It's simply not possible, let alone wise, to think that this Autumn and Winter is likely to be "normal". Something is happening that, at least for this moment, we're not sure what it's going to look like, or how it's going to affect us.

If this doesn't lead us out of any sleep walking and awaken to prayer, then what will?

Pastor Sam