Melissa MacKenzie, in an article entitled, “The Common Thread Binding These Mass Murders,” (The American Spectator, August 5, 2019), wrote of the shootings, “And none of this is a surprise. After every heinous murderous act, the media spins it and blames. It’s easier than admitting that the culture that they shape is spewing these monsters out at an alarming rate and something more than politics is to blame. In fact, these death eating humans seem to be a product of a culture that is at the same time wealthier, more technologically advanced, and scientifically sophisticated while being morally lost and spiritually empty.
The most important words from the El Paso killer’s writings are in this line:
... My whole life I have been preparing for a future that currently doesn’t exist.”
In focusing on the quote from the El Paso killer, “My whole life I have been preparing for a future that currently doesn’t exist,” one can only detect despair and hopelessness.
The encouraging thing that we can grasp onto in these tumultuous times is we have a sure hope, in the midst of a troubled world. We are preparing for a future which is certain to come into existence.
Note what the writer of Hebrews had to say in regard to the hope we have as followers of Jesus Christ,
- “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end” (Hebrews 6:11)
- “That by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil” (Hebrews 6:18- 19).
We have “fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.” We have hope in God’s promise to be with us now and hope that “a future” is to come in which mass shootings will be eradicated as righteousness will prevail under the rule of Jesus Christ.
God has given us the Sabbath as a weekly reminder that a rest is here for us now and will be available to all peoples after the return of the Lamb of God.
God has given us the fall Holy Days to remind us that Christ will return, set up His kingdom, Satan will be removed, God’s Spirit will be poured out on all people, and the way will be open to all mankind to become a part of the family of God.
Interestingly, as Christians we are preparing for a world that does not now exist. We can only see it in faith. Looking forward to the hope that is promised, we go about preparing each and every day we live.
Looking once again at the despairing quote from the article, “My whole life I have been preparing for a future that currently doesn’t exist” we know this young man, most likely, had no idea what God had prepared for him and all mankind.
Paul addressed this lack of crucial knowledge in 1 Corinthians 2:7-10, “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.”
God has revealed through His Spirit and His word that there is hope for this young man. There is coming a day when he will rise from the grave in the second resurrection and his eyes will be opened to God, God’s forgiveness, and the opportunity to be a part of eternity.
He never had a clue in this present life, but he will come to see what we see in hope at the present time.
While tragedy in many different forms goes on day after day, we have hope in God as anchor to our souls.
Rejoice in God’s Rest,
Gary Smith
