FORWARD!
"Hastening the Coming of the Day of God"—How?

by Mike Bennett

To secular eyes, Christians who believe the end times are nigh are equivalent to Iran's "alarming" President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's belief that the mahdi will return in the next two years, "ushering in a bloody cataclysmic confrontation with the non-Muslim world." Editor-in-Chief William Falk of The Week newsmagazine expressed fear and loathing about evangelicals like Bill McCartney, cofounder of Promise Keepers, who launched a "Billion Souls Initiative." "Our whole purpose is to hasten the End Times," Mr. McCartney is quoted as saying (July 14, 2006, page 5).

The Church of God, like 40 percent of the American public, believes the end times are near, but that doesn't mean we are looking forward to the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord. As Amos says, "Woe to you who desire the day of the LORD!" (Amos 5:18).

We in no way try to fan the flames of conflict or bring about the prophecies in any physical or political way. We strive to live the way of peace, not delight in coming cataclysm or in unbelievers becoming "toast."

What we truly look forward to is the coming of the Prince of Peace to save mankind from self-destruction.

What can we do to "hasten" that day? Daily we fervently pray "Your Kingdom come." Daily we strive to fulfill our mission, preaching the good news of Jesus Christ, the coming King in God's Kingdom, in all the world and making disciples of those God leads to respond.

And what did Peter say to do to hasten the day of God? "You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming" (2 Peter 3:11-12, NIV). Christ said He is coming quickly, and we echo John's cry, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22:20). It is truly good news! UN