Buckner Enterprises Unlimited © 2010, All Rights & Conditions Reserved
Come Now; Let Us Reason Together
Recently, on numerous occasions, I have been asked about the claims that the end of the world is near. First, let me say, that it is true; the world, as we know it, is about to end. However, when it is going to end, no one knows. There are two popular predictions in the current mainstream. There is the May 21, 2011 end of the world date proclaimed by Harold Camping, and there is the December 31, 2012 prediction that is interpreted by those who view the Maya Calendar as universal calendar, which shows the end date of the world. Let me, in brief, refute these predictions.
First, let’s take a look at the Maya Calendar. In my research of this calendar, it is clear to me that the calendar was designed to be a perpetual calendar. The Maya Calendar is a linear, which means it was designed to be read in a line or sequential motion. Since you cannot draw an infinite straight line, a circle diagram is used; a circle is an infinite curved line. Also, since you cannot depicted every date, the Mayan’s used a multiplier of 20. Okay, all this is to say that at the point were the calendar appears to end, your start back at the beginning. Do your own research, but don’t spend too much time on it. That time could be better spent enjoying your family, studying the Bible, or watching snow melt.
Now, to Harold Camping’s prediction. First, let me say that for numerous years, Mr. Camping he has declared some clear biblical truth that most radio minister failed to proclaim. His Family Radio Broadcast has been a model of integrity at using the funds it receives to produce the show, which educates its listeners. However, as sincere as Mr. Camping is, he could not be more wrong on many of his biblical viewpoints, to include his prediction of the end of the Church age and the end of the world. He is incorrect, not because he desires to deceive people, nor because he wants to gain popularity and wealth. No, he is incorrect because he failed to “rightly handle the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). This is an error that all of us are capable of making. Let me specifically address his May 21, 2011 end of the world. Actually, the end of the world may occur on May 21, 2011. However, neither Mr. Camping nor anyone else could know that as a certainty. Without going into detail with all the elaborate research Mr. Camping used to come up with his date (you can go to his web site), the overriding fact remains that any date set in the distant future is a negation of the present hour. In other words, Mr. Camping is saying that the end of the world cannot happen today, tomorrow, or any day before May 21, 2011. This is the fatal flaw of any date prediction.
The End Is Near?
The Apostle Paul use the metaphor of a thief with respect to the day in which the Lord will return in judgment. “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. …. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.." (1 Thessalonians 5:1-2, 4 ESV) The Apostle Paul, speaking to the Believers in Thessalonica, expresses that the “day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night.” However, Paul states that when it comes, it will not “surprise you like a thief.” The understanding is that even though I know not when the thief may arrive, I am not alarmed because I am prepared for the thief’s arrival. Therefore, nothing of my house will be lost.
Now, let me speak about the true purpose of this article. What does the phrase “end of the world” mean, can we know the day it will happen, and are you prepared for that day when it occurs?
From a historical Christian viewpoint, there is no end of the world in which the earth is destroyed. However, the phrase is used by some Christian and non-Christian to mark the event called “The Day of the Lord” and “Judgment Day”. This is when the “Kingdom of Heaven”—not to be confused with Kingdom of God—begins on earth. This is inaugurated at the return of Christ Jesus—called the “Second Coming”—when Christ Jesus physically reigns as “King of Kings” on the throne in the location of present day Jerusalem. The biblical text states, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away … And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God” (Revelation 21:1-3, ESV). This event certainly marks the end of the world as we know it; however, it elicits to counter reactions from humanity.
To the true Christian, it is the “Day of the Lord”, a joyous day that should be eagerly expected. Why are Christians joyous? Because, on that day “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4, ESV). The true Christian understands that we live in a fallen world where envy, jealously, pain, suffering, disease, rape, murder, greed, war, genocide, etc. dominate the human experience. However, on that day, “He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore” (Isaiah 2:4, ESV).
However, to those who have rejected the Lordship of Christ Jesus, this is “Judgment Day.” “…Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage” (Jude 14-16, ESV).
I end with the benediction often given at the conclusion of church services.
“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”
