"12/21/2012: End of the World or Mayan Myth?"

When tomorrow (December 21) has come and gone, we'll all know the Mayan end-of-the-world myth was just that--a myth. In fact, anyone or anything that claims to know the future is equally bogus. That includes:

• psychics
• astrology
• tarot cards
• fortune-tellers or mediums
• clairvoyants
• Nostradamus, Sylvia Browne, John Edwards, Edgar Caycee, and anyone else you can think of.

There is only one source of truth--the Word of God. Challenge any of today's so-called psychics to see who would be willing to stake their lives on their predictions and we bet there would be no takers. Yet that was the standard for Biblical prophets--one false claim and they were stoned to death (Deut. 13:1-11).

The reason God filled the Scriptures with provable, fulfilled predictions was to lend this library of books (the Bible) credibility. The concept of a book directly inspired by God had to be backed up with evidence--otherwise who'd believe it?

The Scriptures have been scrutinized by scholars, ripped to shreds by skeptics, and studied by scientists for 2000 years. No one can dismiss it. Archaeological research offers proof that the Bible can be trusted in geographical and historical matters. Manuscript evidence exceeds those of any other ancient document and the Dead Sea scrolls prove that modern Bibles are identical to ancient copies. With this in mind, it is vital to understand how central this book is to our quality of life both here on earth and in the world to come.

The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ prove beyond any doubt that He is who He claimed to be: the only begotten Son of God. If this is true, then everything else the Bible says is also true. This should give us unimaginable hope!

This Christmas season has been a particularly tragic one. Sin is rampant everywhere and the love of many is growing cold (Matt. 24:12). But if the prophecies are true, and we know they are--there is great joy ahead.

"Because of God's tender mercy, the light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace" (Luke 1:78,79). That prophecy was given at Christ's First Coming and will continue to be fulfilled until His Kingdom comes.

Homework: Recognize the treasure we have in God's Word to us. Understand that it is a living, supernatural two-edged sword. John 1:1 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." In other words, Jesus is the Word made flesh. The Bible is God in print. It has the answers to all of the big questions. Why do so many neglect it? It's a two-edged sword, a reflection of where we stand before God. For some, a terrifying prospect. But the answer isn't to run from Him--we need to run to Him. Jesus is our only hope. Without Jesus, the Word, we perish.  That is what Christ-mas is all about: the Word becoming flesh to dwell among men so that we might trust in Him and be saved.

"Jesus said, 'I assure you, unless you are born again, you can never see the Kingdom of God...For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send His Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it. There is no judgment awaiting those who trust Him. But those who do not trust Him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God...they loved the darkness more than the light, for their deeds were evil.'"

A wise man once said: "Life on this planet is not some aimless meandering through time without purpose or direction. Our lives are journeys with a destination and that destination is eternal in nature. Everyone--whether they believe it or not--will spend eternity somewhere." --Bill Crowder of RBC Ministries

News:

• FNC: Montana parents claim Christmas carols are a "form of bullying".
• CNN: Twenty-five U.S. school districts cancel school on Friday, December 21 citing student fear of Mayan Doomsday Prophecy.
• Drudge Report: Fearful 'end of world' callers flood NASA.