Maya Madness
What do Maya calendars,
mayonnaise and mayors have in common, aside from the fact that they begin with
the letters “M,” “A” and “Y”? Zero. This also happens to be the precise amount
of doomsday predictions actually made by Maya calendars, despite what you might
have heard on the airwaves or seen at the box office.
Over the past several
years, the mysterious Maya calendar has remained at the epicenter of
pop-culture and pop-Christianity’s chronic addiction to End Times mayhem. Men
like Hal Lindsey and Harold Camping have routinely proven it really is mad, mad
world. Although these predictions will go the way of the Mayans, mankind’s
obsession with conspiracy theories and end-times predictions, sadly, will never
go away. But these false predictions do give us the opportunity to once again
examine the truths that the Holy Bible presents for us about these End Times.
The Mayans are an ancient
culture who lived in parts of Guatemala Mexico December 21, 2012 and do they predict the end of
the world on 12/21/12 ?
No. It is all hype.
So, why all the frenzy
surrounding the Maya Calendar? In the Last Days, people prey on others’
insecurities exciting fear and instilling doubt. The recent Maya calendar
madness is similar to the Y2K-aos we saw in 2000. Media hucksters and
snake oil scholars will say or write anything to make headlines or promote
movies. Proponents typically draw upon unreliable and questionable sources
while the philosophical underpinnings flow out of New Age mysticism, astrology,
and Eastern philosophy. There really is nothing new under the sun.
The main point is – how do we
Christians react to this and other End Times predictions?
We should discern the times we
live in. Since Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are living in the Last Days.
And in the Last Days, many will turn away from the truth and find false
teachers to sooth the Old Adam’s itching ears (2 Tim 4:2-4), no matter how it’s
repackaged. Jesus also predicted that in this world we will have trouble (John 16:33 ) but to fear not, for He has overcome
the world and has promised to always be with His Church (Matt 28:18-20).
Though man has twisted Jesus’
words causing great folly and error, we do not on that account throw out the
doctrine altogether. Rather, we confess this article of doctrine faithfully
each week in the Creeds. There is no better preparation for Christ’s second
Advent than His ongoing Advent in the Holy Supper and the living voice of the
Gospel. In the Divine Service Christ continues to dwell among us preparing us
for His return. Ultimately, this is the chief purpose for Jesus’ teaching on
His return in the Gospels and for the Church Year seasons of End Times and
Advent. Not to cause confusion and despair, but give consolation and hope. In
mercy, Jesus delays His return (2 Pet 3:9). And until He does, He keeps our
feet from stumbling and presents us as blameless in His presence (Jude 24-25).
Even so, come quickly
Lord Jesus (Rev 22:20 ),
Pastor Michael Zarling
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