Are the Bible prophecies about the end of the world so much hype or sobering truth?

The Bible solemnly warns about God’s day of wrath on evildoers, but when is this dreaded event supposed to happen, or more importantly, will it ever take place as the Scriptures describes? It seems that situations in the world are getting worse as there is increasing poverty, vanishing or shrinking permafrost, destruction of rainforests, pollution of water, soil, and the air, global financial insecurity, increasing crime rates and acts of violence, as well as the constant threat of nuclear conflagration or another world war; and this is just the short list. Either it is time to take the Lord’s warning seriously, or if not, and all of this doom and gloom is just so much hype, then let’s embrace the philosophy of life found in Isaiah 23: 13: “let us eat, and drink [and be merry??], you say, for tomorrow we die.” However, I think before throwing in the towel and give in to despair and nihilism, maybe the Bible can offer some perspective. Let’s begin with the words of Jesus in Matthew 16: 3b: You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

2 Peter 3: 2-3a, 4, 8-9

I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. First of all, you must understand that in the “Last Days” scoffers [doubters] will come.  They will say, “Where is this coming,” he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation. But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promises, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you [us??], not wanting anyone to perish (Cp. Ezekiel 18: 23; 33: 11), but that everyone would come to repentance.

Now, let’s see what is written in the prophets:

Isaiah 13: 10-11a

The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light. I will punish the world for its evil; the wicked for their sins. Therefore I will make heaven tremble, and the earth will shake from its place.

Isaiah 34: 1-2, 4a

Come near, you nations, and listen; pay attention, you peoples! Let the [entire] earthy hear, and all that is [are] in it, the world and all that comes out of it! The Lord is angry with all the nations; his wrath is upon all their armies. All the stars of heaven will be dissolves [shaken/moved??] and the shy will be rolled up like a scroll.

What did the Lord tell his apostles about these things?

Matthew 24: 3

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately; “Tell us,” they said, “When will this [these things] happen, and what will be ⁽¹⁾ the sign of your coming and ⁽²⁾ the End of the Age [world]?”

NOTE: I think there were actually two questions asked here; the first part was contemporary in their time and the latter part reserved for the future. It is also possible that this was a compound single question which wrapped together both parts with the expectation that Jesus was going to usher in the kingdom of God and finally defeat evil when he returns in their lifetime.

Now it’s time for some details, as in the following:

Luke 21: 9

“. . . when you hear of wars and revolutions (Cp. Matthew 24: 6; Mark 13: 7).”

Luke 21: 11

There will be great earthquakes; famines (droughts??) and pestilence in various places, and fearful events [like 9/11??], and great signs from (in??) heaven [Blood Moons or unusual alignment of the planets/stars??] (Cp. Matthew 24: 7b; Mark 13: 8b).

Luke 21: 25-26a

There will be signs in the sun, moon and the stars. On the earth nations will be in anguish and perplexity and the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from [fear of or from??] terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world.

NOTE: This last part could be pulled from today’s newspaper headlines among the nations of the earth. All this uncertainly could be compounded by not only severe weather patterns, but concerns over a potential pandemic from the Zika virus, AIDS, or new strains of super bugs that are resistant to the latest antibiotics. There are no answers for the acts of terrorism by ISIL and al-Qaeda, the war in Syria and the refugee humanitarian crisis. What is to be done about an aggressive Russia and economic powerhouse China and her military exercises in the South China Sea? Will the EU hold together or will Brexit signal the exit of other countries as well?

Luke 21: 34

Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and the day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap; for [assuredly] it will come upon all those who live on the face of the earth.

Luke 24: 32

I tell you the truth; this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

CONCLUSION:

That generation has passed away and those things which pertained to them have been fulfilled, now there is another “this generation” of human still living on the planet and there are events still waiting to occur; especially up until the final consummation of all things when the kingdom of God will finally be among men. The main point I want to make is that the world is a lot closer than many of us want to think about regarding the day of God’s wrath. Matthew 24: 10-12 talks about many people turning away from the “true” faith, mainly due to false prophets deceiving people. Because of the increase of wickedness the love (compassion/empathy/ sympathy of people will [has] turn cold. Despite all the technological advances and social media, there is an increase in cyber bullying, shaming and other predatory practices; mostly among teens and the most vulnerable members of society. Although there is a great desire for acknowledgement, connectedness, social interaction or companionship; quite a few people feel lonely, isolated, not valued, apprehensive about the future, and more disconnected than ever.

Before I forget to  make this point: The gospel of Jesus Christ has reached the four corners of the earth but one wonders if it is the same “Good News” that was first preached by Jesus and later by those who first saw, heard and handled the Word of Life and first-begotten of the Father. Today, the preaching is mostly the politically-correct, non-offensive kind that tastes good like honey; and is sweet in your mouth as well as in your belly. The old “Fire and Brimstone” sermons of the past are not preached from the pulpit and not as welcome in modern society today as opposed to times past. It seems that quite a few Christian Churches are trying to model a welcoming, Starbucks-friendly atmosphere offering a variety of homilies in as many flavors as there are lattes and cappuccinos.

I was thinking about Micah 3: 11a where it says, “Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money.” Now, this is not to criticize those faithful stewards of God who are to be supported and teach the truth in sincerity (Cp. Luke 10: 7; 1 Timothy 5: 18), but this is my polemic against those who are wolves in sheep clothing. A final thought comes from Zechariah 14: 12b: “Their flesh will rot [turn black and discolored??] while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths.” This scene kinda reminds me of an episode of  “The Walking Dead” and could this possibly be a prophesy about some experiment that goes horribly wrong where a plague is unleashed on the public after spores, gas or mist from biological or germ warfare research that escapes from a containment module or chamber?

Anyway, to wrap this all up, Jesus leaves us with this sobering thought found in Matthew 24: 37-39: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.” 

Robert Randle
776 Commerce St Apt 701
Tacoma, WA 98402
November 2, 2016
robertrandle51@yahoo.com