Ragnarök and the Last Days ∙∙
Unless the Lord shortens that time of calamity, not a single person will survive. But for the sake of his chosen ones he has shortened those days. – Mark 13:20
Luke 21:7-26
7 “Teacher when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to take place?”
8 He replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and saying, ‘The time has come!’ But don’t believe them.”
9 “And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won’t follow immediately.”
10 Then he added, “Nation will go to war against nation and kingdom against kingdom.”
11 “There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many parts of the world, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven.”
25 “And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth, the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides.”
26 “People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken.”
“Ragnarök” is a Norwegian fantasy drama series seen on Netflix (2020-2023), creatively reimagining Norse mythology for modern audiences. The show explores the pressing theme of climate change, set in the contemporary fictional town of Edda in Hordaland, Western Norway. Edda grapples with the dire consequences of environmental issues, such as melting glaciers and industrial pollution from nearby factories.
In Norse mythology, Ragnarök signifies the apocalypse for gods and humans, translating to “Doom of the Gods” in Old Norse. According to legend, Ragnarök would be heralded by harsh winters and societal chaos, culminating in an assault by giants and demons aimed at annihilating the gods.
Within the myth, the thunder god Thor emerges as a savior. Known for his righteousness and role as humanity’s protector, Thor wields his magical hammer, Mjolnir, to defeat the World Serpent, thereby halting Ragnarök. This victory paves the way for the world’s renewal and a fresh start for humanity, suggesting that only a divine force could rescue the planet.
The concept of Ragnarök presents an end-of-days scenario that is not too far afield from what is going on, on planet Earth, albeit without the mythical gods and creatures.
The Old and New Testaments also outline prophetic visions of the world’s final days, conveyed through the prophets, apostles, and the Lord Jesus Christ, offering detailed insights into these apocalyptic events.
In the synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, His disciples inquire about significant events with three questions: When will these things be? What will be the sign of your coming? What will signal the end of the age? Jesus responds by predicting the upcoming destruction of Jerusalem and the distant occurrences leading up to the Second Coming. His warnings are similar but more elaborate than those of Norse mythology. But more significantly, they are eerily consistent with current-day events.
Over the centuries, many Scripture scholars have prematurely concluded that the prophecies found in Matthew 24, Luke 21, and Mark 13 were being fulfilled in their own times. Clearly, they were mistaken.
REFLECT & PRAY
The Day of the Lord will arrive unexpectedly, like a thief in the night, catching the world off guard. Those who dwell in darkness will suddenly be surprised by the light.
Father, we thank You that the children of the King are indeed children of light. Help us to walk in the light as You are in the light, cleansing us from all sin (1 John 1:7).
INSIGHT
How can the children of the King discern when the end times have begun? Jesus made this clear: while the exact day or hour remains unknown to anyone on earth.
Matthew 24:36 However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.
Yet, as we observe certain signs, we may accurately conclude that the return of Jesus is near.
Matthew 24:33 When you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.
Therefore, the children of the King must remain vigilant and always prepared for the imminent return of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 24:42-44
42 So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.
44 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.
Matthew 25:13 So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.
1 Thessalonians 5:2-8
2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.
3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.
4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.
5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.
6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.
8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.
1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.
Like his fellow apostles, Peter believed that the return of Jesus Christ was imminent (i.e., it could occur at any moment) as suggested by passages like James 5:8, Romans 13:11, Hebrews 9:26, 1 John 2:18. This belief was intended to influence the daily lives of his readers, highlighting that eschatology carries ethical implications. They were encouraged to stay clear-headed (“of sound judgment”) and self-controlled (“of sober spirit”), qualities essential for effective prayer.
This underscores the critical role of prayer, which is the most noble and necessary ministry entrusted to the children of the King, yet often the most overlooked (cf. Hebrews 4:15-16). Peter might have understood this deeply from observing Jesus pray in the Garden of Gethsemane, especially as Jesus neared the end of His earthly life (cf. Matthew 26:40-41) (Constable).
“. . . proper prayer is not an ‘opiate’ or escape, but rather a function of clear vision and a seeking of even clearer vision from God. It is only through clear communication with headquarters that a soldier can effectively stand guard” (Davids).
Luke 7:35 Wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.
It is incumbent upon every child of the King to be alert to the times and understand what they are called to do.
1 Chronicles 12:32 From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders of the tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take.
These unique individuals had discernment regarding what the children of the King should do in their own day. The Father gave people intellectual ability so that they might discern His will and how they should act.
The Father is actively working in the world with specific plans for each of us. We must remain vigilant and attentive. We can no longer be content with our spiritual mediocrity, stagnation, and boredom. Could it be that some children of the King are like the sons of Issachar?
What about you?
¯\_(ツ)_/¯8-16-2
© Dr. H 2024
Dr H Reflections 