January 1, 2000 raises unfounded fears

There are several warnings and teachings circulating in the Church today; and if followed to their logical end, these warnings and teachings would yield some very unbiblical results, or so it seems. Hopefully, this article will cause us all to rethink some of our conclusions and fears concerning Y2K and the tribulation as a whole.

For sake of argument, let's present the worse case scenario (and one many people hold to with fear and trepidation).

On January 1, 2000, all the power in Hampton Roads goes out, telephones are down and planes drop from the sky. The economy crashes and food becomes a scarcity Before this, a run on the banks crashes our financial institutions, and the government declares martial law; the world, as we know it, changes forever. We now live in the tribulation.

Where does that put us?

Many hope and pray for the rapture, which has always struck me as rather odd. I mean, it's great to love Jesus and long to be with the Lord, but Jesus said how could you love the Father whom you haven't seen if you don't love your neighbor whom you have seen. So for Christians to constantly want to be somewhere else with someone else, strikes me as a little odd, or at least inconsistent. Why do we want to be with Jesus during the tribulation if the people who need us are going to be here? So let's say, the USA is not the exception to the rule — those who live godly lives in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution, and we are not raptured.

The rest who believe we will see the 21st century — and live to regret it — teach that

survival at all costs is the only option. They encourage their followers to buy guns, generators and enough food to last for two years. In the ensuing anarchy, they advocate the protection of one's own family first and foremost — even if that means taking the lives of the unlucky, unprepared and unfed who come searching for food.

In our worse case scenario, this is an all too real possibility But is it an option?

As humans who respect life and love others, I find it hard to fathom the mindset that would call for the killing of others to protect their food. Killing to protect one's family is understandable, but to kill so that one can eat well is a little overkill. Whatever happened to the command to "give to he that thirsts, and do not turn away;" or "If thy enemy asks for your cloak give him your tunic as well?" Besides when was the last time any one of us seriously fasted? A forty-day fast wouldn't kill us. And if it did, then you needn't worry about the rapture. You'll receive the early bird special.

I find it funny that in our bloated Christian state we have more time to argue over whether baptism is submersion or sprinkling, or whether communion does or doesn't represent Jesus — we are forgetting the other things that Jesus taught first, like say, love, joy, peace, patience, and longsuffering. You get the idea.

Take peace for instance, since we are discussing the end of the world.

Jesus said, "Do not fear for I have overcome the world."

And yet, Christians tend to be the most fearful and temperamental. It is sad to see the oft-used stereotype of a Christian extremist, and sadder still to realize it is not that inaccurate. A surf through the web sites predicting the end of the world at Y2K reveals that most claim a Christian perspective or quote apocalyptic passages from Scripture to support their claims.

In some ways, it seems that Christians are the most crazy, cooky and cowardly when we have every reason to be the most calm, collected and courageous. If we do indeed look to a better city not made with human hands, then we shouldn't cry wolf at every shadow in the dark.

It's how we live, and who we live for, that makes us the salt of the world, not the way we react to every storm-tossed wave. We should be messengers of Christ, not catalysts for panic.

As far as Y2K is concerned, it is prudent to prepare for rough times. Buy supplies of food and water to last for a few weeks or months. Do what you can to prepare in regards to upgrading computers and ensuring financial solvency. And when January 1st comes, have some candles ready; and if the lights go out, hold a candlelight prayer vigil. For over 6,000 years people lived without electricity, computers and television, maybe we will too.

by Philip Pfanstiel

published in The Hampton Roads Christian

published Sept / Oct 1999