“We’re All Doomed!” 

 “His desire being that no one should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9 (Weymouth) 

I’m not a big fan of the TV programme Dad’s Army but I have probably seen a dozen or so episodes. As you know, it is about a platoon of mostly elderly men who have volunteered to guard the homeland in the event of an attack during WW2. Their fearless leader is Captain Mainwaring, a bank manager who is usually a bit pompous and thinks he knows just about everything. But the guy I like most is the tall, skinny Scotsman—he’s great and really funny in a gloomy, pessimistic way. He has one expression that he uses whenever things are going dreadfully wrong, as they usually are.  This is spoken in a deep Scottish accent, of course, and he says, “We’re all doomed!” 

As I think about that in a more serious way I realise that if that were really the case, it wouldn’t be funny at all, but frightening. Doom and destruction are things that we humans shy away from, and quite rightly so. 

I guess throughout the centuries many have proclaimed this doomsday scenario for one reason or another, but thankfully these prophecies have not come to pass. And why? Because God has a plan that he is working out here on earth—a plan to bless all humanity. “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). His plan will come to pass and we are all part of it, kings, rulers, butchers and bakers and candlestick makers—everyone! One thing about God’s word and plan is certain; it will come to pass—nothing can thwart it. “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11 NIV). The Lord Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.” (Isaiah 14:24 NIV). 

The plan is this: all humanity has been reconciled to the Father through his Son—it’s a done deal and one size fits all! We are all a part of his plan of sacrificial love and grace.  We are not all doomed—we just need to accept life! We need to choose it as it says in Deuteronomy 30:19 (NIV). 

I read about two ladies having coffee together, bemoaning life and feeling down when suddenly the visitors’ little boy burst into the room shouting at the top of his lungs, in a broad Scottish accent, “We’re all doomed!” They both fell about laughing, all the woes forgotten. I still think it’s hilarious, but thankfully it’s not true! Isn’t that Good News?

Prayer
Thank you, great God, for your amazing plan and purpose for all of us here on mother earth—all who have ever lived or ever will live. Help us to choose the precious life that you have offered to every one of us.
Amen 

Study by Cliff Neill

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About the Author:
Cliff Neill is an Elder in Grace Communion Church Luton.

Local  Congregation:
Grace Communion Church Luton
Farley Hill Methodist Church
North Drift Way
Farley Hill
LUTON
LU1 5JE

Meeting time:
Saturday 10:30am

Local Congregational Contact:
Harry Sullivan
Phone:  01908-582222
Email: harry_sullivan@wcg.org.uk