End Times: Is it Getting Close?

Dooms day has been predicted in many cultures throughout history but the present generation has surpassed them all. Nearly every major religion today is expecting something spectacular to happen within the next few years which they believe will bring the world as we know it to an end.

2012 Predictions

According to the Mayan calendar, doom's day is December 21, 2012 which is believed by some to be the end of the world as we know it. There is a situation developing in the universe where the planets are lining up with the center of the Milky Way and apparently this galactic alignment is predicted to cause catastrophic events worldwide. There are hundreds of web sites trying to warn people to be prepared.

Those who study these things are saying our climate could deteriorate as we approach 2012. Dooms day prophets say the sun is supposed to project sun flares and that sea levels are going to rise and inundate all coastal regions. Volcanoes around the world are supposed to activate and Yellowstone National Park is said to be a sitting bomb ready to blow.

People are searching for "safe zones" in which to hide. They are building underground bunkers and hoarding food, guns and ammunition. They also believe that world governments are well aware of this galactic alignment and are preparing whole underground cities in which those appointed will go when the time comes.

"And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" (Rev. 6:15-17)

The Return of Christ

Christians worldwide are praying fervently for Jesus Christ to finally reveal Himself to the world and according to a number of Bible scholars, His appearance is rapidly approaching. The return of Jesus Christ is supposed to come on the heals of the battle of Armageddon and according to Scripture the earth will react violently to His approach.

"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." (Luke 21:25-28) The moment His foot touches the Mount of Olives the mountain will split in half.

The Rapture

Many believe we are living in the "beginning of sorrows" described by Jesus in the Olivet discourse laid out in Matt. 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. We have been experiencing the "birth pangs" for a number of years and End Time prophecies have been unfolding regularly in the daily news.

However, those who belong to Christ will be taken away before the wrath of God is poured out on the unbelieving world. "For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us." (1Thess. 5:9)

Those who believe the rapture will occur during or after the Tribulation say that true Christians will be spared; despite the Scriptures which clearly indicate the martyrdom of multitudes for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

This catching up of God's people is commonly called "the Rapture" and regardless of the timing, at some point we will be taken up to be with the Lord. "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words." (1Thess. 4:16-18)

"I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left. And they answered and said to Him, Where, Lord? So He said to them, "Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together."

Prophecies Concerning Israel

Most Christians realize that nearly all of the dooms day theories circulating today are exaggerated and dramatized. There are numerous scriptures which describe much of what is being said about 2012 but Israel is the main focus when it comes to End Times prophecies. It was 1948 when the Jews, who had been without a nation for more than 2,000 years, were allowed to return to Israel just as the Bible predicted.

Israel is now in the land and for the first time in history everything is in place for the Antichrist to be revealed. He will be charismatic and the world will welcome him with open arms. He will make a treaty with Israel then he will turn against them.

Jesus Christ warned of the approach of this End Time period when he said, "And great earthquakes shall be in diverse places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars. Behold, I have told you before." (Matt.24)

Do Not be Deceived

Seeking information is a wise thing to do as even chance favors the prepared mind but the only truly reliable source is the Bible. Common sense dictates that we should be prepared for any situation that could arise, but a person can only prepare so much and there are some things we simply cannot prepare for. Besides, if all of the things happen that 2012 advocates have predicted there will be no safe place anywhere in this world. No one could survive the catastrophic events they're describing.

Jesus said no one knew the day or hour of his return except the Father but that we would recognize the season. He gave us the signs to look for and many of them are unfolding right before our eyes. As for these dooms day predictions, there may be some truth in them but it's mixed with hype, exaggeration and outright lies.

Jesus Christ is the only safe place and he said he would always be with those who belong to him no matter where they are. The time is coming when the door to salvation will close then every knee will bow to Jesus Christ and every mouth will confess him as Lord.

For those who don't belong to the King, the End will truly be the day of doom, but for those who look anxiously for His appearing, it will be the beginning of everlasting life with their Creator.

Christ's Return will be Visible and Global

There are some who believe that the kingdom of God is here now and that it is invisible. They believe that Christ reigns in our hearts. This is not Biblical. There are several scriptures which clearly state that Christ will return bodily in the exact same way He left.

"Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." Acts 1:9-11)

Jesus told the Disciples that the world would be the same as in the days of Noah when the end comes. In the days of Noah the people were very close to what we see today as far as wickedness is concerned. Then the flood came and wiped them all out except those in the ark which was a picture of baptism and salvation.

God's only begotten Son has been given complete authority. "Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil.2:10)

Conclusion

"Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." (Rev.1:7)