Yes, no, and maybe. Wow, that was definitive! The truth is those are the correct answers. According to what the Bible teaches, one day soon, the world as we know it will end. When that will happen, no one knows, but we do know some of the signs, so let’s look at those.
When asked by his disciples when the end would come, Jesus responded in Matthew 24:36 NIV, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Then in Mark 13:7-8 NIV, Jesus gave some signs of the approaching end times, “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.”
If you pay attention to the news, it’s full of wars, rumors of wars, nation rising against nation, earthquakes, famines and so on. We are definitely seeing the birth pains of the end times.
Back to 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.”
So, has the gospel been preached to the whole world yet? Let’s examine that. It is estimated that about 40% of the world has not heard the gospel yet. We’ve got a ways to go, but with the expansion of technology, the gospel is spreading quicker. For example, it’s hard to believe, but 91.54% of the world population have a cell phone. That’s how the gospel is going to quickly reach the 40% who haven’t heard the gospel.
So, is the world ending right now, not likely. However, Jesus told us to be ready, that He would return as lightning comes from the east to the west, at a time when you least expect, in the twinkling of an eye, like a thief in the night. We should be more concerned that we are ready for Jesus’ return, than trying to figure out if and when the world will end.
Are you ready? Have you received Jesus as your Savior? Are you making Him Lord over your life? Are you a true disciple of Jesus producing much fruit to glorify the Father? Are you making disciples, feeding the hungry, clothing those who need clothes, giving water to the thirsty, taking care of the poor, orphans, and widows, visiting prisoners?
One day, Jesus will return, and it will be the end of the world, as we know it. You will stand before Him and give an account of your life – how you used the time, talents, and money He gave you. Looking at your current life, how will that go? What do you need to start changing?
Get ready. He is coming back soon!