I am not sure that i believe that there is such thing as an atheist, not in reality. I mean, even if you do not believe in a deity that is defined by some man made religion, doesn't everyone in some way see a creator, an originator, a source of everything? That to my way of thinking is a definition of God. We as humans are the ones that try to put limitations and definitions on God. We like things to be controlled, familiar, recognizable.
I did know an avowed atheist at university. He could grasp the finite nature of the universe. While I'd ask what is outside those limits, he'd say nothing and accept that. I never really understood his way of thinking.
Today's passage speaks of the end times and antichrists. The Apostles were led to believe that the end times were very near. They believed it would be in their lifetime. Jesus' own words seem to support that. Maybe that is why the faithful finally decided to write some things down about what happened and who Jesus is. The fact is though, even Jesus said that only the Father knows the day and time of the real end of everything, the end of the world as we know it. You know, that time some Christians believe the 'rapture' will occur and people will rise through the air like birds seeking the great beyond. Let's face it though, no one knows. We can see evidence of antichrists today. Whether it is wars, famine, dictators or even our very own President, the end times seem near and perhaps this man-boy President is hastening it on. Who knows?
It seems to me that is really the least important thing to focus on. A good friend and colleague dreamt and planned for a lazy beach and a nice drink for retirement. She died just a few scant months into that retirement. So much for planning. I myself have been living the life, long before I retired. Along comes an ascending aortic aneurysm and guess what, my time may be up.
We do not know the time or hour of the rapture, of the end day or days. What we are concerned with is being who we are, being the best at who we are, loving as best we can with all of who we are. That is the choice and real answer. Understanding the end times, the picayune minutia of what each religion says is the one true definition of God is all BS. None of that matters unless it brings you closer to living a good, decent and loving life. If that religion or path to holiness demeans or rejects other paths, then that too is BS. As Jesus said, 'there are many houses', there are also many paths, Jesus is not defined by Christianity or Judaism or Buddism or any other religion. We seek only to love, to enlighten ourselves and bring joy to the world in the name of our creator.
For peace, joy and a life well lived, we pray.
1 John 2:18-29
Children, it is the last hour! As you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. From this we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But by going out they made it plain that none of them belongs to us. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and all of you have knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and you know that no lie comes from the truth. Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; everyone who confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he has promised us, eternal life.
I write these things to you concerning those who would deceive you. As for you, the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and so you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, abide in him.
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