No, it's not the end of the world, and we're not even close! One of the biggest mistakes Christians down through the ages have made (and continue to make!) is that such-and-such in the Bible means that the end is right around the corner. Remember the Y2K fear about our computers not being able to work in a post-2000 world? That scare was unwarranted.

Back in the year 999, as the year drew to a close, some Christian fanatics withdrew to some mountaintop in Europe and expected the end when the year 1,000 rolled around. Guess what: we're still here! Admittedly, we now have the ability to blow up ourselves and everybody else into smithereens, but I believe it is theologically wrong and just plain wrong to look at any book in the Bible and claim that it is a "prediction."

The Book of Revelation was written for the benefit of the faithful in the Roman Empire in the second century, encouraging them to hang onto their faith. It is written in veiled language so that the Christians would understand and the non-Christian Romans would not. The "beast" is Rome. The "harlot" that is "drunk with the blood of the saints" is also Rome. There are no predictions in that book that are applicable to current events. I guess we'll just have to hang on for another thousand years, give or take a millennium or two!

THE REV. C.L. "SKIP" LINDEMAN

Congregational Church of the Lighted Window,

United Church of Christ La Cañada Flintridge

Nothing has changed. This world we live in has always been a perilous place with dangers lurking everywhere. But, it is a wonderful world nevertheless. Who would exchange it for any other place in the universe? Our world is unspeakably beautiful, kind, gentle, loving, positive -- and yet at the same time most challenging. God did a great job when he designed our world. Nothing about it is dull.

As for end times: I believe this idea is pure mythology. I do not expect Jesus Christ to come back in a blaze of glory and rule over an "end world" at any time in our future. Jesus Christ left us once and does not need to return because he left us his wonderful teachings. If we would but live his core teachings more fully, we would not have to fear an end of our world. I believe that when Jesus Christ spoke of end times he meant that in the future there will be a time when all men and women will live together in peace -- that there would be an end to conflict. I am optimistic that that time will come.

Meanwhile, I believe that the predictions that the world will end someday were simply made a part of scripture to keep people in fear and guilt. Rest easy. It is not going happen. Life is too precious to ever end. An absolutely good God would not permit it to happen.

THOMAS E WITHERSPOON

Minister

Unity of the Valley

La Crescenta

In order to discuss the Baha'i viewpoint of the meaning of Revelations, it helps to understand a bit about one of our primary beliefs, that of "progressive revelation" from God. Throughout history God has sent messengers to renew and further spiritual and social teachings, according to mankind's needs at the time, and ability to understand. The Book of Revelation contains metaphors and symbolism predicting revelations from God beyond the time of the New Testament, that is, the coming of Muhammed and Baha'u'llah. As for the "end times." This refers to the end of one cycle of man's progress, and the beginning of another.

Natural phenomena such as extreme weather has its cause in the laws of nature, set forth in God's creation. In the Baha'i writings, nature is said to be "in the grasp of the power of God, who ... holds nature within accurate regulations and laws, and rules over it." Man's alignment with God's laws has a physical effect, but at the same time, we must know that life is unpredictable, and the natural world full of surprises. In the face of terrifying events beyond our control, after acting with intelligence, bravery and compassion, we must ultimately turn to God with acceptance, and faith that He will guide us through . No matter the outcome of cataclysmic events, God's word will always be alive, giving us the opportunity to proceed with hope.

BARBARA CRAMER

Secretary

Baha'i Faith

Glendale

It never ceases to amaze me how quick people are to latch on to the prophetic aspects of faith and ignore the practical fundamentals that are essential to quality living.

The Book of Revelation is not meant to be read as a guide for the end times.

It was written in prison by the Apostle John while most Christians were suffering and enduring violent persecution toward the end of the first century. Its message is in line with the rest of Holy Scripture: God's enduring love will carry us through the most horrendous persecutions and in the end love is triumphant.

Those who extrapolate messages correlating to world events today are out of sync with the orthodox reading of Scripture. Their blueprints and maps for disaster are erroneous.

I have a simple approach to end-time theology. Don't worry about the second coming of Christ until you've first mastered the lessons of his first coming. When we can love, care and respect one another in our diversity, when we can honor the sacredness of our planet and stop the exploitation of God's wonders, then we may be living in a utopia where the cares of tomorrow are minimized by the fullness of the life we live today.

FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN

Armenian Church

Youth Ministries

One of the most universally held tenets of Christianity is the belief that Jesus will one day appear on earth a second time. He won't come again to be our crucified messiah, but according to perhaps the earliest church statement, the Apostle's Creed, "He shall come to judge the living and the dead." The Risen Savior will return as the Almighty Justice of the truly Supreme Court, and according to the largest denomination in America, "God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end" ("Baptist Faith & Message"). According to Christ Himself, this occurs at a time about which "No one knows" (Mark 13:32).

So what of all this end-time speculation and the natural disasters that are supposed to tip us off to this grand finish? Well, evidence won't validate the prophecy junkies. World cataclysms haven't increased to any "apocalyptic" level according to seismologists. Atmospheric researchers speak of recent storm sequences as cyclical and anticipated. Jesus never advised preoccupation with these, but said only that we'll hear of them intermittently until His arrival. He was right, and after two millennia we're still expecting Him at any moment -- even if there's another thousand years of such things!

The Book of Revelation graphically teaches that the final episode should be happily anticipated by the Church, and seriously disquieting to the faithless and unbelieving. Literal in its message, it's certainly figurative in its depictions. Even the most self-avowed "literal" interpreters of Revelation's fantastic visions must do just that, interpret. But whether Believers can agree about specific end-of-the-world cues, they remain unified in their primary task of being Christians (i.e., Christ-ones; ones of Christ), His virtuous ambassadors till Kingdom Come.

THE REV. BRYAN GRIEM

Senior Pastor

Light On The Corner

Montrose

A few days before Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection His disciples asked Him what the signs of His coming and "the end of the age" would be. Jesus' first response was to warn them not to be misled.

The initial indicators of Jesus' return have been with us for centuries. Jesus explained that there will be "wars and rumors of war ... but that is not yet the end." He taught us that natural disasters such as famines and earthquakes in various places will be "merely the beginning of birth pangs."

The more imminent signs of Jesus' return will be a global change in the condition of people's hearts. They will hate His disciples in an intensified way. They will pay attention to misleading false prophets. Lawlessness will increase and "most people's love will grow cold." Have you noticed these things in people lately?

The immediate sign of Jesus' return will be the communication of the good news about Him "in the whole world." Modern technology has made this a reachable goal in our generation. "And then," Jesus said, "the end shall come."

I believe the stage is set for the events, both literal and figurative, described in the Book of Revelation to begin. The real question remains: Are you ready for Jesus' return?

PASTOR JON BARTA

Valley Baptist Church

Burbank