2012: The End of Days?by Brother Dave
A co-worker once asked about my thoughts on the popular 2012 controversy circulating on the web, the History Channel and now a movie. He was concerned over the lack of a response by the Christian community to these theories of doom in 2012. I conceded that it was very interesting to have so many unrelated, supposedly prophetic, sources warning of doom in 2012. I pointed out that ultimately no human can know what will or will not happen in 2012, short of divine revelation. I concluded my thoughts with the fact that even if the end of the world did occur in 2012, I am in complete peace about where I am going. I don’t have to worry about my eternal destiny. A fellow Christian, he agreed. The simple reality of knowing, without doubt, where you will spend eternity clearly out-shines any unpleasant events we face in our temporary bodies here on Earth.
We've Been There, Done That!The 2012 controversy is the latest in a historically long list of end-of-the-world scenarios bandied about by doomsayers. It all started with the fact that the Mayan calendar ends on December 21, 2012. It then snowballed with apparent confirmation by the likes of Nostradamus, the I-Ching and technology’s addition to the "fortune-telling" arena, the web-bot. The average person, including Christians, cannot help but be impressed with the apparent confluence of all these unrelated sources. So what exactly is the Christian response to this controversy? Do we concede that it may, in fact, be the outworking of the end-of-days events prophesied in the Bible? Or do we just dismiss it as a worldly curiosity?Christians have their very own source of prophecy in the Word of God, the Bible. In fact, the biblical study of end-time events is considered so interesting it has been given an impressive, hard to pronounce, name: Eschatology (pronounced: es-kə-ˈtä-lə-je). Although biblical prophecy gives us some events and ‘signs of the times’ to look for in relation to end-time events and the return of Jesus Christ, it does not go so far as to specify a year, month or day. This is done for a reason. Each of our individual “worlds” comes to an end when our physical body dies. None of us know the exact month, day and time which has been ordained for that. If we had an exact date and time when Jesus returns and judgment begins, many would put off getting right with God until the night before. The only problem with this is that no one knows if they will die in a car accident tomorrow, suffer a massive heart-attack next week or be taken out by a deadly virus or infection next month, do you? Think about that. How many people, both young and old, have you known or heard about who died suddenly and unexpectedly, no doubt thinking they had many years ahead of them? God’s Word assures us that it is “appointed unto man to die once, then the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). If a person dies without the forgiveness and gift of eternal life offered through Jesus Christ, that judgment is going to be horrific. Check out the book "23 minutes in Hell" listed under evangelism in our Christian Resource section to find out more about what happens to those who die without a personal relationship with Jesus. The link is at the end of this article. So, in view of biblical prophecy, should Christians be concerned about all the hype concerning 2012? Absolutely not! Christians have nothing to "worry" about. Christians either live or die; if we die, we go home to paradise. Where is the downside in this? One should keep in mind, however, the feebleness of the sources generating this hype. A close examination of the sources behind this controversy reveals that they are either misunderstood or occult in nature. For example, the ending of the Mayan calendar on December 21, 2012 merely indicates the Mayan belief that one Earth cycle ends and another one begins—not the end of the world. As to Nostradamus, the I Ching and the Web-bot, these all have occult characteristics similar to Ouiji boards and Tarot card reading. God tells us not to consult with the likes of fortune-tellers and His advice is always solid.
Those Who Know Jesus, Know PeaceChristians agree that the world, as we know it, will indeed come to an end. That end will not be very pretty, it will be downright scary. Exactly when the end will occur is known only to God. Until then, Christians (i.e. people who have surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ and obey His commandments) will live their lives in peace knowing that whatever happens here on Earth, their eternal destiny is not in question. Christians look forward to living in divine paradise for eternity. Many call this place heaven, I call it paradise. Would you like to spend more than just your vacation in a place you call "paradise" here on Earth? Imagine being able to spend eternity -- ETERNITY -- in heavenly paradise. A place many times more idyllic than the most gorgeous "paradise" here on Earth. Interested? Click on the below graphic link.
Click here for more information on the 2012 controversy, this will take you to our Christian Resource page which includes the book: 2012, The Bible, and The End of The World Please give us your feedback on this article!
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