Seeds For Thinking

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com

Scripture: So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place? (Luke 21:7, NKJV)

The pushmi-pullyu (pronounced "push-me-pull-you") is an gazelle-unicorn cross which has two heads (one of each) at opposite ends of its body. This strange animal was created by Hugh Lofting in his book, “The Story of Doctor Dolittle.” When it tries to move, both heads try to go in opposite directions.
Many times we are not unlike that mythical animal. We ponder what was, what is, and what will be. Past, present, and future. Over the ages, people have looked to many sources for insight into what will be, and when it will happen. “Fortune Tellers” employ many methods, including palm readings, tea leaves, cards, crystal balls, ouija boards, astrology, or even roosters pecking at grain. For an appropriate fee, they will “Tell All.”
The Romans god Janus was the god of gates, doors, doorways, beginnings and endings. He is most often depicted as having two faces or heads, facing in opposite directions. His namesake, the month of January, begins our new year. Janus was frequently used to symbolize change and transitions such as the progression of past to future, of one condition to another, of one vision to another. He could see into the past with one face and into the future with the other. Janus was worshipped at the beginnings of the harvest and planting times, as well as marriages, births and other beginnings.
Nostradamus was a practicing physician, astronomer and astrologer who lived in the mid 16th century who turned his hand to prophecy later in life. He wrote messages from the past to the future in the form of short poems. You will likely be hearing and seeing his name quite often in the next couple of years. The most recent revelation combines Nostradamus’ predictions with the end-date of the Mayan calendar. This has led many to believe that cataclysmic or transformative events will occur on December 21 or December 23, 2012. The accuracy of Nostradamus’s predictions seems to rely more on hindsight than foresight.
Though we often perhaps equate the Biblical prophets with foretelling the future, I have heard that we should think more in terms of the traditional prophets “Forth-telling” the Word of God. Many of their prophecies were specific to crises in the history of Israel-Judah.
The books of Daniel and Revelation contain Apocalyptic visions that reveal God's justice as taking place in the future. “Apocalypse” literally means “lifting of the veil” or “revelation.”
In John's apocalypse, the Book of Revelation, he refers to the "unveiling" or "revelation" of Jesus Christ as Messiah. During his imprisonment by the Romans on the Island of Patmos, John described the visions he experienced, writing the Book of Revelation. Chapter 20 contains several references to a thousand year reign of Christ/Messiah upon this earth (The Millennium.)
The disclosure of future events was made through a dream for the prophet Daniel. After a long period of fasting, Daniel is standing by a river when a heavenly being appears to him, and the revelation follows. (Daniel 10:2ff) Daniel asks, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things?” And he said, Go your way, Daniel, for the words are to remain secret and sealed until the time of the end.” (Daniel 12:8b-9, NRSV)
Of particular note, I think, is the prophecy of resurrections, from Daniel 12:2-4. “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” (NRSV)