Question 40 – When will the world end according to the Bible?
Throughout history, there have been countless predictions about the end of the world that claimed to be real and certain. The undeniable fact remains that such an end has yet to occur. Many turn to the Bible as a guide for calculating specific dates, but when those dates pass without incident, the prophets feel disappointed and attempt to pinpoint where their calculations went wrong, often setting a new date.
To begin, it is essential to note that the end of this world, with all its evil and corruption, has been a central theme and a significant hope for Christians for centuries. Jesus Christ, God incarnate, came to this earth as a humble servant prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice over 2,000 years ago. After His death and resurrection, He ascended back to His Father (God) and, since then, has reigned alongside Him, steering history to its conclusion. He promised to return one day to judge the entire world. Even the first Christians believed that Jesus' return was imminent. Yet, millennia have passed, and still nothing. So, what does the Bible say about this?
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ
Even the first Christians believed that Jesus' return was imminent. Yet, millennia have passed, and still nothing. So, what does the Bible say about this?
"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed." (2 Peter 3:9-10)
"Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape." (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3)
Jesus Himself captured this perfectly when He said (Matthew 24:42-44):
"Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
So, what is the answer to the question, "When will it happen?" "stay awake!" Not "try to calculate the date." We are to wait for the end. Whether it concerns Christians from 1,000 years ago or us today, the purpose of this command is to be ready and keep spiritually vigilant. The analogy of the thief or labor pains is more than telling; both usually catch us unprepared. If anyone knew when a thief would come to rob, they would logically prepare. The same is true for the date of the world's end—we do not know it and we are not meant to know it.
Therefore, any attempts to calculate the end of the world are, in my view, futile, as God keeps this time to Himself. Christians await the end with hope, though they don't know when it will occur. Perhaps today, tomorrow, next month, next year... in ten, fifty years?
End of the World
But the question is not when the end of the world will occur for everyone. The question for you, dear reader, is this—where will you end up if the end of the world for you (perhaps through an accident) occurs today? What will you present before God, before whom you will stand?
Summation
Many refer to the Bible when it comes to calculating the final day. However, the Bible itself does not endorse any attempts to make such calculations and instead calls for vigilance and spiritual watchfulness. This day will surely come, but we do not know when. However, your personal end could happen today—are you prepared to meet your Maker?