One of my reading for this past year has been NIV One Year Chronological Bible. There have been times I have fallen behind and didn't think I would ever get caught up. I started the book of Revelations today, the beginning of the end. It is a bitter sweet sort of moment because I have kept my resolution to read the bible in a year, but it is also the mark of the end of that year and I am wondering what I will read next.

The reading has been great, ok there was a point where I felt Psalm overload, and the genealogies where a bit dry. The past two months has been Christ's life and his death. The lives of the apostles and their teachings. Reading Christ's life in this way put a new perspective on it for me. I have asked myself more then once, "If I lived then would I have believed what was right in front of my eyes?" "If I was faced with flogging and death would I have remained true?" If I was there the night of the last supper would I have been like Peter, declaring my life and swearing to die with Christ only to deny him three times before the roster crowed?"

The recent earth quake in Asia sparked a conversation at work today. One of my co-workers said "The end of the world is coming" My response to her was "This is just the beginning, there are many more signs to come" She wanted to know what I meant by that and I really didn't answer her, (I was more interested in finding someone to come in for me, I am still quite sick.) but tonight I looked up some verses to give her tomorrow.

Mark 13:5-8 (New International Version) 5 Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains

I also gave her
Luke 21:7-11

Luke 21:20-22

Matthew 24
Mark 13:24-25

Out of all the verses that I read tonight the one the made me ask myself these questions yet again was

Matthew 24:29
29 Immediately“ after the distress of those days “ ‘the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken

The word immediately; the first definition is "Without delay" is what drew my attention. I have lived in this world long enough to see that much of what has been said is coming to pass. My question tonight is, "do I have faith enough to face the end if it is required of me?" From my studies I do not see the rapture coming first, I see many of the judgments coming then the rapture. God's chosen will be persecuted, do I have the strength of faith to suffer in his name?