A Short Thought about 2012 and the End of the World

Well, here we are about to say goodbye to boring ol’ 2011 and welcome in awesome new 2012. Unfortunately, according to the Mayans 2012 is the end of the world. However, if the Mayans were so smart, then why is their civilization extinct? Exactly. So, I’m not too worried.

So, 2012 probably won’t be the end of the world—but it could be. Jesus could come back in 2012 just the same as He could in any other year. In fact, He could still come back before the end of 2011.

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” –Matthew 24:42-43

No matter what, don’t wait until the end of the world to make sure that you’re right with your Maker. The Judge is standing at the door.

And for Christians, be awake and alert. Live this year like it might be the last one you spend on earth.

You should still plan as if the world might go on another 10,000 years, but keep reminding yourself that this present type of life that we are used to—a life without the physical presence of Jesus the King—this will one day be considered an unusual little blip on the timeline of history.

The Bible isn’t silent about what the end of the world should mean for us. Spend some of your last minutes of this year—or some of your first minutes of the new year—thinking about what God’s inspired Word tells us about the end of things.

“Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” –Thessalonians 5:1-11

Have a happy New Year!