by J. Randal Matheny

Year's end, the fortune tellers and social scientists appear from the woodwork to tell us what to expect the coming year.

"A major international figure will probably die this next year." Yeah, right! Can't go wrong with predictions like that.

What does it take to be a proper futurist? Hebrews 12:1-3 gives us some clear clues:

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" (NIV).

JOIN THE TEAM

First, join the team of futurists. That great cloud of witnesses are the heroes of faith in chapter 11. What did they have in common? They all looked forward to something yet to be received.

"And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not received what was promised" (Hebrews 11:39).

These people were future oriented, waiting to receive, by faith, what never appeared during their lifetime. For example, some even get short mention like Isaac who blessed Jacob and Esau "regarding things to come" (11:20). On his deathbed Jacob blessed Joseph's sons, thinking of the future (11:21). At his end and thinking years ahead, also, Joseph gave instructions about his bones when Israel would leave Egypt (11:22). All futurists. All people who, even at death's door, were looking at what yet would be.

The good futurist is the missionary I heard express the wish to see a church in every city in Brazil during his lifetime.

The proper futurist is another missionary who hung in his office the sign, "Maybe today."

The spiritual futurist sows his seed today, thinking of a great harvest yet to appear.

The futuristic church of God prays "Maranatha," -- "Come, Lord Jesus!"

PARE IT DOWN

Second, to be a proper futurist, pare down to the bare minimum: "let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us."

Sin is not always so easy to see in our lives when we are too much a part of this world. Paul forbids even the mention of immorality, impurity, or greed and commands we bite our tongue to avoid filthiness, silly talk, or coarse jesting (Ephesians 5:3-5). Never mind the doing of it, don't even talk or joke about it! Talk about radical!

That means many of us are too weighted down to be good futurists.

And not only the entangling sin which would flap in the wind and wind around our legs to prevent our best time on the track. But ANY encumbrance that would hold us back. Doesn't have to be sin. Could be football, hunting, novels, knitting, pets, you name it -- anything that hampers our progress in spiritual things. Now we're not only talking radical, but extreme! (The word of the decade, right?)

SEE THE LEADER

Third, to be a really good futurist, we must focus on the one far ahead of us all, "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of faith."

Whether we project ourselves into a fantastic future or not, Jesus started this whole project and he will finish it. With us or without us. But he so desires to bring us alongside.

He is far ahead and has shown us to face the trials with joy (see verse 3), understanding that through these the victory is won.

In the wilderness of temptation, he could already see the ministering angels.

Before the denials rang in his ears, he thought of the hot tears of repentance.

With bloody drops of sweat as he contemplated the cross, the crowning will of God and the crush of Satan's head soothed his brow.

We can go all the way, then, when we "consider him who has endured such hostility by sinners against himself, so that [we] will not grow weary and lose heart" (Hebrews 12:3).

SUCCESS GUARANTEED

The coming year will be smashing, successful, blessed, glorifying, because we have learned to see through the cascade of tears and reach beyond to the harvest of joy.

But only a proper futurist can do that. And now we know.

Happy new year!