it's not a sign of the end times

If someone starts spouting off to you that this thing or that thing is a "sign of the end," don't listen to them.  In fact, run the other direction.

Every time that there is a war in the middle east, some so called "Bible teachers" indicate that it is a sign of the end times. They sell some books and make some money. The "Left Behind" series for example was totally wrong, except that the authors made millions. They are laughing all the way to the bank.

So this came across the news the other day:

Fifty years ago today, the first official barcode was scanned at a grocery store in Troy, Ohio. The symbol of parallel lines has since become the most prevalent tracking tool for products around the world, though many dispute who deserves the credit for its eventual success.

I remember when barcodes first came out. "Good Bible teachers" insisted that this was the mark of the beast. They said that soon, no one would be able to buy or sell without a bar code tattooed on their hand or forehead.

Rubbish. Ridiculous.

Can we please just live in the present? Can we apply ourselves to living and loving today and stop speculating about tomorrow? Some people fill their minds with speculative theology... it keeps them from having to think about how they interact with people day to day.

How we treat people day to day is much more, much more important that what we might think about Jesus' return.

Let's focus our minds on what is really important. Kindness, grace and love.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.