THE DAY THE WORLD ENDED (NOT!)

            Today is the day many people have been looking forward to with dread. Today is the day the world is supposed to end. Someone announced this a while back, based on the Mayan calendar. It has gotten much press and has depressed many people. I heard an interview on the radio with an astrophysicist who set up a website to address the fears of concerned people. One fearful young person wanted to know if they should have their pet put to sleep before the end of the world. Others were considering suicide so that they would not have to face the apocalypse.

            Predictions about the end of the world have surfaced throughout history. I once received an unsolicited book titled “88 Reasons Why the World will End in 1988.” Harold Camping is infamous for his end-of-the-world predictions. To this point, they have all proven false.

            Jesus addressed this very question in Matthew 24. His disciples were concerned about the end of time and so they asked Jesus to enlighten them. Here is part of that conversation as Matthew recorded it.

            As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
                "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:3-14 (NIV)

            The Bible is full of information about the end of the world. All of it is intended to call us to faith and to alleviate our fears. As Jesus stated, there will be much speculation and fear surrounding the end of the world. As Jesus predicted, we have seen wars and earthquakes and famines, but the end has not yet come. The overwhelming message of Jesus, for those who have put their faith in Him, is that we don’t have to live in fear. Jesus made that very clear in John 16:33. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

            Jesus also made it clear that no one is going to figure out when He will return and the world, as we know it, will end. I suppose someone might predict the time by pure chance, but I have a suspicion that God will not even allow that to happen. When the time for the end comes, people will be going about their normal activities unaware of what is going to happen.

            "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left”. Matthew 24:36-41 (NIV)

             The most important thing that Jesus says about the end of the world is that we need to get ready now. When Jesus first began his public ministry, his message was simple. “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” That message has not changed. Jesus is still calling us to repent and come back to God. So over and over, the Bible tells us to prepare our souls by receiving the gift of salvation that only Jesus can give.

            As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (NIV)

            Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (NIV)

            When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we do not have to fear the future. Our future is secure in Him. The world did not end today, but even if it did, it would not be the end of the world for those who have put their faith in Christ.

            "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:1-6 (NIV)