An Epiphany

     It has been talked about for the last 2000 years. Some have been waiting for His return. It’s called the end times. In the book of Revelation, the Apostle John writes about the return off Jesus, not as a meek, humble child, but as the King of kings and Lord of lords. Sure, this is the hope of every Christian who has ever lived; that the promise of Jesus will be fulfilled soon. Some have been expecting Him to return in their lifetimes since Christ died and was resurrected. They’ve been waiting and waiting. There have been many who have tried to predict His coming by reading from the Old Testament, some from the New Testament. These predictions have always been false and have never come to pass. Even, Jesus said that no one new the day, nor the hour except the Father. And, when the time came, it would come like a thief in the night, in a blink of eye. Be prepared, He said. Every generation hopes that they would see the coming of the Savior before they died. Are their those today who think we are the end times? Perhaps. 

 

     It could not have been predicted that the events of these last years have come to a head. Seemingly, humankind is in decline and people are more than ever divided throughout the world. It’s not that The pandemic brought it upon us, but that it uncovered a much greater evil, ourselves and how we treat each other and the planet. The last century taught us of countless millions who died under oppression and tyranny. The new century brought to light the underpinnings of great social unrest in many of not all  societies where people have dared to speak up against governmental despotism to denounce racial injustice that’s been happening for many hundreds of years throughout the whole world. The rise of secularism has provoked intense hatred and anarchy with little tolerance for any truth except the truth of indifference. The world is in a tailspin and a free for all and we are just at the beginning or are we? 

 

     Hope, that four letter word which defies the “common good.” It is simpler to be in the herd than to be heard. What happened in such a short period of time in the history of humankind? The is an awakening of all sorts. The horse has been let out and the cries of indecency and degradation have castrated the very souls of the many. People have had enough! In the epic movie, Network, Peter Finch delivers his memorable line: “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore,” as life imitates art once more. Yes, hope has been craftily buried with the other four letter word, love. It has been replaced with bitterness, anger, and rage. We did it to ourselves? Scarcely. This has been deceivingly coerced. Oh, I know, there’s no such thing as spiritual warfare. Ok. There must be a punchline here, somewhere, but sadly, there isn’t because, well, no one really cares. We are terribly busy with our hatred and want of revenge. Someone is to blame. Someone is definitely to blame. Just ask anyone on the “other” side. 

 

     What’s the point? An epiphany strangely appeared suddenly. It has come into my head and I just had to tell someone about it. Look around. The world has gone absolutely mad. Everyone, angry at everyone and fueled by everyone. Yes, the pandemic has brought us to our senses. We are all despicable and undeserving. We reap what we sow and right now, we are deserving of all of this. It’s interesting that debate has gone by the wayside while social media has greatly contributed to the mass hysteria there is now! Try to get an honest, unbiased opinion about anything, today. Let me know when you do. The battle for the “talking heads” has demoralized many into boredom and dementia. Sure, the epiphany is pretty doom and gloom, but is it? See, God wins in the end. These troubled times may continue for a while and, if you don’t believe in God, you’re going to have it for a very long time. Let you in on a little secret: the end times are near! I know, get the counselor, get the Xanax, get him to shut up. Well, perhaps you’re right, I am nuts. But this thought never, ever had come into my head before. I always thought those others who predicted the end times in their generations were looney. But, there it is. An epiphany. True or not, it’s my opinion. I mean, do you really see us going on like this before someone pushes “the button?” What will it take before decency and humility creep into us? Just look outside your window or God forbid, you TV. If this is not the end times, we’re getting pretty close. I’m sorry for the naysayers out there. 

 

     I do not see peace anytime soon. I do not see equality in all human beings anytime soon. I do not see tolerance, let alone, acceptance. I do not see hope or love. I do not see exchange of ideas for the benefit of all. What I do see is complacency. I see greed. I see ambivalence. I see social destruction. I see waist. I see totalitarianism, not democracy. I see poverty with those who have it, seen as lost and forsaken. I see misery. I see ineptitude for the sake of elitism and privilege. I see a lost race of humans on the path to extinction. Correct me if I’m wrong. Do you see something different? We are a race in disgrace that’s misplaced. Call me a crazy but, I think my epiphany is looking better. The end times? Who knows.