End of the World - May 21, 2011

[Guest]

You touched the subject briefly in your sermon on Sunday, but what is your stance on the claim of the world ending tomorrow? Can you provide scripture to comfort?

[Mike Miller]

You bet. My position on the claim is informed by the Bible. In Mark 13:32, Jesus said of the end of the world, "But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." He goes on to say, "Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come." Therefore, for anyone to say that they do know the day or the hour is clearly a direct contradiction of Jesus Himself.

Throughout the Bible, all the teaching about end times is that no one knows when it will be. For example, in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2, we read, "Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For your yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night" (see also 2 Peter 3:10). In fact, while many people today like to point to current events to show that the "signs of the times" point to the end, Jesus spoke about that. He said, "When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet." Do you see that? "The end is not yet." He even goes on to mention earthquakes and famines, and His point is that there will always be those things, but "the end is not yet" (Mark 13:7-8). The context in which he began these teachings in Mark 13 was in a warning about false prophets who "will lead many astray" (Mark 13:6). Harold Camping (the guy who has "guaranteed" that May 21 is judgment day) is one such false prophet.

Now, you asked for some comfort. The truth is that Jesus might return even before Harold Camping's date and time. We just don't know. But for those in Christ, we do not need to fear. In fact, just the opposite. We should be thrilled at the prospect of the return of Christ. In 1 Thessalonians 5, the apostle Paul writes of the end times in an encouraging way. He says that Christians shouldn't be surprised when Jesus comes, because we should always be looking for Him. His return will be a good thing, "For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him." Then he even says, "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up" (1 Thessalonians 5:9-11). This is why I am really looking forward to Jesus coming back. Frequently I pray like John did at the end of Revelation when Jesus said He was coming soon (it is soon to Him in the scope of eternity). John said, "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20). I know I'm ready, and I hope you are too.

So, to summarize, concerning the return of Jesus, we do not and cannot know the day or hour. However, there are three things we can know for sure:

1. Jesus is coming back.
2. No one knows when.
3. We need to be ready.

We get ready, not by being good or religious, but by placing our entire faith in Him. He lived a sinless life, keeping the law of God perfectly. He died as a substitute for us, a perfect sacrifice enduring all of God's wrath on our behalf. Then He rose physically from the grave as the victor over Satan and death. When we stop trusting ourselves, and trust Him completely, embracing Him with our whole hearts and turning to Him from sin, then we receive a new life and can know for certain that our eternity is secure. I pray that you have turned to Jesus. If you have not, please do so now. And if you have further questions, please feel free to ask.

[gene]

Amen! Preacher.

Just as I have been trying to explain to people I have speak of this blasphemer's "prediction" it is anything, but prophesy. By Jesus' words Harold Camping has his reward and as I have been taught it is not in Heaven. The sinner in me would d**n him, but the Christian in me will leave that to the one who will judge us all.

Your's In Christ,
Gene

[drbuzzsaw]

I think we like the Titanic we are living like it's "d**n the iceburgs full speed ahead" To many people have predicted an end and it looks like it will be an economic collapse that will hit us next. Find out more at: worldendsat5newsat11.blogspot.com
The End is closer than you think...

[Mike Miller]

Friends, the above post is exactly the kind of thing Jesus was cautioning against in Mark 13:32. drbuzzsaw's website has a doomsday clock counting down to the very second, thereby claiming to have greater knowledge than Jesus did about the end. I encourage you to look at that website then re-read my post above from May 20. The bottom line is whether we are going to believe Jesus and the apostles or wild conspiracy theorists and doomsday alarmists. I reiterate that Jesus might return today, or He might return a long time from now. Regardless, we are to stay ready, and if we are in Christ, we don't need to be afraid. So, please place your faith in Jesus and don't be given over to the fears of the world.