End of the World…or Nah?
End of the World…or Nah?
When a Christian who is reflecting on recent and ongoing global events asks, “Is it the end of the World?” What we really mean is “How germane are current global events to the determination of our actual position in the grand scheme of biblical eschatological events?” Simplified… does politicians being power-hungry/corrupt, a few sequential global economic recessions, a global pandemic, crazy weather anomalies and the other tragic, scary and unimaginable events of the last 12 months… mean Jesus is about to pull up at the house live and direct to totally flip the world into the apocalyptic slide. Is this Jesus’ way of texting the world to say ,“Hey, I’m outside”…? Before you rush to answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Consider that this is not the first pandemic, nor the first global economic downturn, it’s not the first time fear, mass death, oppression, and suffering has gripped the globe. After World War II We literally built a Dooms Day Clock to indicate just how close we are to the metaphorical demise of humanity. I could go on and on about how many times whole generations have suffered under near apocalyptic conditions. The stories from The Great Depression of the 1930s sound like something straight out of Ezekiel 5:10 or 2 Kings 6:26-30.
Some of us might be too young to remember the many instances throughout history when people literally sold all their earthly positions because they interpreted the calamity of their times as the great signs, trials and tribulations of the biblical apocalypse. We only need to look at the many times religious leaders have incorrectly predicted the date of the Rapture /Judgment Day, leading large groups of people to do irreparable damage to their lives, families, finances, etc. Let’s not forget Y2K, the 1910 planet killer a.k.a Halley's Comet, World War 1, World War 2, That Mayan Calendar thing. My point is we have this way of constantly centering ourselves in the narrative of scripture. We then take events that are most proximal to us and use them as the framework for understanding the apocalyptic texts. There were persons in the generations before us that did it and there will probably be persons in the generations after us that will continue to do it too. Needless to say, this definitely isn’t in keeping with best practice. But, is it the End of the World or Nah? We still need to answer this question. Now I am not saying that these events" do not indicate the End. Jesus does say in Luke 21:31 that when we see “these things” come to pass, we should know that the kingdom of God is at hand.
But Also consider his later statements in Luke 21:34 -36:
34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth.36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”- Luke 21:34 -36 (NIV)
This repeats an idea He originally signals to in Chapter 12 in verses 39 and 40:
39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.
40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
Jesus is saying when it happens you won’t know what hit you, until it’s too late. So always be watching out and be in prayer. In other words, stay ready so you don’t have to get ready. Another important point is also made here and this is the one you really don’t want to miss. These events are not indicators of the specific time that He will come, they are reminders of our need to be ready for the moment when He comes!
End of the World… or Nah? The answer = Who Knows!… but ARE YOU READY though?
If You are unsure Click Here to be linked to a short video that will help you be sure!
