I went into the local Christian bookshop late last week. I was stressed at the time, and needed some distraction. While I was in there, I saw a whole pile of end time prophecy books.

I saw books on being a success. Books on turning your marraige around. Books on being healed.

I did not see much about suffering. I did not see much about being alone. I definitely did not see any manuals for raising boys by your own (as a man). And (not atypically) the entire men’s issue area was small and mainly about chastity.

Now Jesus instead talks of troubles. In NZ, our second biggest city has been hit fairly continuously with earthquakes. For. Six. Months. People are exhausted. There is talk of moving the city (it is under the red blobs on the map I am posting). When this was mentioned in the tea room, the prof noted that they will have to either move north or south.

About 50 km.

But the lectionary argues this is expected.

Luke 21

7They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” 8And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them.

9“When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” 10Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; 11there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.

12“But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13This will give you an opportunity to testify. 14So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; 15for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. 16You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17You will be hated by all because of my name. 18But not a hair of your head will perish. 19By your endurance you will gain your souls.”

via Daily Lectionary Readings — Devotions and Readings — Mission and Ministry — GAMC.

I do not see the Christchurch earthquake as a sign of any impending end times. New Zealand is geologically active, and we settled in places that looked convenient but where there are fault lines — our capital has regular earthquakes and the main city (Auckland) has a dormant volcano in the main harbour.

The passage points to our duty.

• We are not to go seeking new doctrines, new experiences, or the hidden returned Messiah. Jesus said it will be plainly obvious to hardened atheists when he returns.
• Bad things will happen. We need to help each other. Spending time in our feelings will not help as much as doing practical things and getting mastery of them. (Counselling for trauma generally makes things worse, not better).
• We will be persecuted, and hated, because we are Christian. The current state religion is not Christian, at least in NZ: instead it is a syncretic version of agnosticism and paganism. (In the US, the state religion is therapeutic deism, and the high priestess was Oprah). we are seen as intolerant and over righteous. Our job is to endure and to be a witness.
• Anyone who says that Jesus promises prosperity is lying. Jesus promises difficulties and trials: small and great. But our life and character is made up of a series of choices — and those who make the hard choices get a sense of control.

The stoics teach this, correctly. But the West has forgotten this. In times of difficulty, we are not to think of prophecy or rapture, or escape into fantasies of prosperity, but to hold our faith and help our neighbour.