Apocalyptic Times

"Speak in the ears of my people the words of the prophecy that I will put in your mouth, says the Lord, and cause them to be written on paper; for they are trustworthy and true. Do not fear the plots against you, and do not be troubled by the unbelief of those who oppose you. For all unbelievers shall die in their unbelief."

I read those words yesterday in our Thursday "Bible study." I place the words in quotes because actually we have not studied the Bible in there for some time. We read Maccabees (which is in the Bible to the majority of Christians) and now are finishing up 2 Esdras (which is in the Bible for Ethiopian Orthodox; a church of 40+ million which dates to the man baptized by Philip in Acts).

I would bet that a vast number of western Christians who read the Bible regularly would think that the words above are Scripture. It sounds like the Bible (e.g. Isaiah 8:12 "Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what it fears, or be in dread"; John 8:24 "you will die in your sins.."; Revelation 21:5 & 22:6 "these words are trustworthy and true"; Jeremiah 11 & 18 both include sections on 'plots' against the prophet.)

2 Esdras was probably written around the same time as our Gospels, quite possibly in the same general location. It is responding to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Roman occupation. While it is Jewish in origin, it has been reworked by Christian hands and was widely quoted by some Church Fathers, especially St. Ambrose. It was born in an environment rich in apocalyptic thinking and its language is, therefore, familiar. It sounds like what we find in our Bible's. The sentiments are Biblical.

Today's news is rife with "apocalyptic" warnings (demise of EU, global financial collapse, Iran-Israel conflict, secular atheist's aggression, tightening vice around the church and her free exercise of faith). It is easy to wonder if "the end is near." It is easy to be discouraged about the future, even frightened. Whatever one's opinion of ancient apocrypha, it is comforting to know that people like us (and so very different) have found themselves in similar circumstances for thousands of years. The gaping jaws of the "dragon" (in 2 Esdras it is a multi-headed eagle) seem ready to encompass us. Yet, there is a promise. All will be well because God is God. The covenant made with us through the ancestors (Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Ezra, and perfectly in Jesus) is still binding. The Father above can see, can hear, He knows our plight and He remembers His promise. Apocalyptic revels in that promise. It warns that though better days may be coming, first comes the trial by fire. Even so, we will pass through the fire (cf. Paul, 1 Corinthians 3:15). Jesus told us to pray for deliverance from evil (& Evil One) and He told us to pray for strength in the time of testing (tempted to give up because of the pressures). We live in times when that message is very timely and appropriate. We pray with hope and trust.