Answers

By   •   October 18, 2012   •   Topics:

Q:

I'm sure you've been asked this before, but do you think we're approaching the end of the world? I've heard, for example, about that ancient Mayan calendar that predicts the world is going to end soon, and I wonder if it might be true.


A:

From time to time, it seems, someone will come up with a new theory or “discovery” that supposedly predicts exactly when the world is going to end. But those predictions have all been wrong — and there’s no reason to believe this one will be any different. Scholars aren’t even agreed on what that ancient calendar actually says.

Are we, however, nearing the time when Jesus will come again and the world as we know it will come to an end? Jesus warned us against trying to predict exactly when He would return. He said, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24:36). Instead, He said we need to be ready for His coming, for it could happen at any time.

At the same time, Jesus did say that a number of events must first happen before He returns — and many of these have already taken place. I often think, for example, of His statement that the Gospel would be preached to the whole world before He comes again — and more than ever, that is happening (see Matthew 24:14).

The real question, however, is this: Are you prepared for that day? To put it another way, if you somehow knew beyond doubt that the world would come to an end tomorrow, what difference would it make in your life? Make sure of your commitment to Christ, and then make it your goal to live for Him every day of your life.