The apocalyptic, doomsday, judgment day or the end of the world has been the subject of great fascination as well as controversy over the centuries. The apocalyptic theme is like “the golden goose” to the Hollywood film directors. They are minting millions by cashing in on the fears of man. Movies like, “The road, the Mummy fame, The Book of Eli, The day after tomorrow reflect Hollywood’s obsession. This obsession is also seen among certain religious groups known as “The doomsday cult” like the branch Davidians led by David Korish. And there are other End time prophetic ministries who seem to play with the ignorance and the fears of people. I wonder what is the true motive behind all this?
Recently the self made prophet and evangelist Herald Camping and his campaign spent, rather wasted $100 million dollars on advertising spreading a false prediction of the end of the world. Is it justified, during these economically hard times? I wonder do we stop crying wolf! Wolf? In the midst of such failed predictions and controversies about the end of the world whose words should we believe? Is the end of the world really going to happen? What does the Bible have to say about the end of the world and how are we to live our lives in light of it?
I. BIBLICAL PROPHECIES:
God has not left us without any prophecies and signs to look for the end of the age or the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, among them are two clear cut prophecies by Isaiah and Daniel. They both prophesied during 680-605 B.C. Isaiah 26:19, “Your dead will live; their corpses will rise. You who lie in the dust, awake and shout for joy,…and the earth will give birth to the departed spirits.” Daniel 12:1-3, “At that time Michael the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people everyone whose name is found written in the book will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” Though these two prophets were separated by span of 75 years they both said the same.
Recently the self made prophet and evangelist Herald Camping and his campaign spent, rather wasted $100 million dollars on advertising spreading a false prediction of the end of the world. Is it justified, during these economically hard times? I wonder do we stop crying wolf! Wolf? In the midst of such failed predictions and controversies about the end of the world whose words should we believe? Is the end of the world really going to happen? What does the Bible have to say about the end of the world and how are we to live our lives in light of it?
I. BIBLICAL PROPHECIES:
God has not left us without any prophecies and signs to look for the end of the age or the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, among them are two clear cut prophecies by Isaiah and Daniel. They both prophesied during 680-605 B.C. Isaiah 26:19, “Your dead will live; their corpses will rise. You who lie in the dust, awake and shout for joy,…and the earth will give birth to the departed spirits.” Daniel 12:1-3, “At that time Michael the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people everyone whose name is found written in the book will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” Though these two prophets were separated by span of 75 years they both said the same.
These two scriptures are referring to the climax of the world where God will bring about his judgment on mankind and on the earth. A day of disaster unlike anything we have ever seen or heard is imminent. On that day the dead will be raised from their graves and the living will be caught up alive, some for eternal punishment and others for eternal life. They also tell us that there are going to be rewards to those who win souls and those who disciple the saved. That much of the prophecy has been understood by many scholars and ardent bible students but what had been rather confusing over the years is that the timing of when these things will happen. Herald Camping got it right up to that point but he had been wrong at least on three occasions one of them being May 21st 20011. When will these events unfold? Is there a definite set time and date in the Bible? Whose words are we to believe? Who is telling the truth? Let’s find out.
II. WHO IS TELLING THE TRUTH?
History tells us that time and again man has gotten it wrong when it comes to predicting the end of the world. In recent years from 1990-1994 alone there were twelve failed predictions not to mention the one we have just experienced. Why is it man so fixated with end times? Well this is not a new phenomenon but goes back to 2000 years. Jesus’ disciples wanted to know when would the present evil world end and Jesus establish his kingdom on earth, so they asked, “Tell us when is this going to happen? What sign will we get that things are coming to a head? Jesus began, “Watch out for doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities claiming I am the one.” They will deceive a lot of people….Fake Messiahs and lying preachers are going to pop up everywhere… But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven’s angels, not even the Son. Only the Father. So keep a sharp lookout, for you don’t know the time table. (Mk 13 The Message)
II. WHO IS TELLING THE TRUTH?
History tells us that time and again man has gotten it wrong when it comes to predicting the end of the world. In recent years from 1990-1994 alone there were twelve failed predictions not to mention the one we have just experienced. Why is it man so fixated with end times? Well this is not a new phenomenon but goes back to 2000 years. Jesus’ disciples wanted to know when would the present evil world end and Jesus establish his kingdom on earth, so they asked, “Tell us when is this going to happen? What sign will we get that things are coming to a head? Jesus began, “Watch out for doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities claiming I am the one.” They will deceive a lot of people….Fake Messiahs and lying preachers are going to pop up everywhere… But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven’s angels, not even the Son. Only the Father. So keep a sharp lookout, for you don’t know the time table. (Mk 13 The Message)
When the Bible is clear in saying that no one knows the day or the hour how foolish is for any one to set an exact date? And how naive are those who believe such false predictions? In his own words Jesus said he was going to come back some day and take us to be with him in heaven forever,( John 14:1-3). Jesus never said when he is going to come back, but he told us what to signs to look for and how he was going to come back. Among many signs of wars, earthquakes, famines, and unrest one sure sign we should look for is found in Matthew 24:14, “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.” That is what we should be busy with, preaching and doing of the gospel. We spend our monies to support the missionaries and ministries that are reaching the world and not to put up Judgment Day” billboards. Our concern is saving souls, we will leave our Lords return to God because he knows when to bring an end to this world.
Though Jesus did not tell us when he would return but he made it amply clear how he is going to return. The second coming of Christ will not be a secret event but it will be a spectacular event. Listen to what he said about it in his own words. Jesus did not tell us when he will come back but how he will come back. Mark 13: 24-26, “Following those hard times, the Sun will fade out, moon cloud over, Stars fall out of the sky, cosmic powers tremble. And then they’ll see the Son of Man enter in grand style, his arrival filling the sky none will miss it! He’ll dispatch the angels; they will pull in the chosen from the four winds, from pole to pole.” ( The Message) Rev 1:7 “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen. He also said, “Behold, I am coming soon! MY reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.”(Rev 22:12) He said he was going to come back coming soon then why is the delay? Why haven’t we yet seen him come back?
III. WHY THE DELAY?
From the time Jesus was taken up to heaven over two thousand years have passed, many of God’s children beginning with his disciples have eagerly awaited his return. But he hasn’t yet come back. Don’t you think that would give room for scoffers and skeptics to scorn at his second coming? Of course it does; God knew that it would happen so he inspired Peter to write these words, “In the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this coming he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation…With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting any one to perish but everyone to come to repentance.” His patience means our salvation.
A friend of mine once said, “thank God Jesus did not come back last year otherwise I wouldn’t have been saved.” Christ is delaying in returning to earth in order to give many a chance to repent and accept him as His savior and Lord. Sooner than later Christ will come back to judge this world, in that light how are we to live our lives?
From the time Jesus was taken up to heaven over two thousand years have passed, many of God’s children beginning with his disciples have eagerly awaited his return. But he hasn’t yet come back. Don’t you think that would give room for scoffers and skeptics to scorn at his second coming? Of course it does; God knew that it would happen so he inspired Peter to write these words, “In the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this coming he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation…With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting any one to perish but everyone to come to repentance.” His patience means our salvation.
A friend of mine once said, “thank God Jesus did not come back last year otherwise I wouldn’t have been saved.” Christ is delaying in returning to earth in order to give many a chance to repent and accept him as His savior and Lord. Sooner than later Christ will come back to judge this world, in that light how are we to live our lives?
IV. GET READY:
Several scriptures in the Bible allude to the fact that Christ’s return is imminent and it could happen at any time. All could change in the twinkling of an eye and Christ could make his return. Therefore since we do not know the date of his return we want be prepared and get ourselves ready. If you are a born again Christian you have nothing to be afraid of, only those who do not know Christ will have to worry. In the light of Christ’s imminent return Peter gives us some pointers for us to live by, 2 Pet 3:11-14, “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming…..make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.”
Several scriptures in the Bible allude to the fact that Christ’s return is imminent and it could happen at any time. All could change in the twinkling of an eye and Christ could make his return. Therefore since we do not know the date of his return we want be prepared and get ourselves ready. If you are a born again Christian you have nothing to be afraid of, only those who do not know Christ will have to worry. In the light of Christ’s imminent return Peter gives us some pointers for us to live by, 2 Pet 3:11-14, “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming…..make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.”
What do these scriptures mean? Firstly, the present world and everything in it will be destroyed so let’s not pin our hopes on it. Secondly, we are not to compromise with sinful life styles but live a pure and godly life. Daniel says that many will purified, made spotless and refined, do we allow God to do that work in our lives? Thirdly, we are to make every effort to live in right relationship with God. Fourthly, we are to be diligent in reaching the lost isn’t it interesting the way Peter seems to indicate that we can actually speed the day of his coming by getting intentionally involved in building His Kingdom.
In closing, Jesus Christ will come back sooner than you expect. So let’s not be carried away, believing anyone who gives you a particular day or date. Don’t take his patience for granted, surrender your life to Christ before it is too late. We have so much to look forward to, the best is waiting for us when see Him in His glory and His Power. Amen!
