Worship: Sundays at 8:15 am | 9:40 am | 11:00 am, Wednesdays at 6:35 pm, Fridays at 7:00 pm


No one knows when

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates, we do not need to write to you, for you know that the day of The Lord will come like a thief in the night (I Thess 5: 1, 2).

For the life of me I have NEVER been able to figure out why some "idiot" (I know I shouldn't use that word to describe someone, but, well, it's appropriate) announces to the world that he (and usually it's a he) knows when the world is going to end, when Jesus is going to return.  Or why people believe him!  Oh, religion is a funny thing sometimes, isn't it? In several places the Scripture is clear that no one knows this!  

Paul uses the phrase "like a thief in the night" to describe the unknowing of the time.  We had a "thief in the night" come by our house recently.  I noticed the bark on our Crape Myrtles had been disturbed, probably eaten by some critter, but I never saw the "thief" or was certain there was one - until this past Saturday - at 10:00 in the morning - I saw him (or her) - a beautiful Deer in broad daylight eating from our trees and also our Egyptian Lilies!

One of you shared with me the following quote from your reading of the theologian, Thomas Oden on Wesley this week regarding things we are not given to know. I think his comments equally apply to a lot of what we've been talking about this week.  He said:

1.  We are not given to know these things because it teaches humility. 

2.  We are not given to know these things to protect us from pride and arrogance. 

3.   We are not given to know these things because Scripture says that we are to "walk by faith and not by sight". Ours is a faith journey not a scientific endeavor.

4.   And finally, and I think best of all, he said that it would ruin the surprise of heaven. When we get to heaven, oh my goodness what a joy it will be. It will be more than anyone can imagine, just because that is who God is.

  To which I say a hearty "Amen!"



Trinity United Methodist Church
4000 NW 53rd Ave | Gainesville, FL 32653
352.376.6615
TrinityGNV.org

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm | Friday, 8:30 am - 1:30 pm