“Doomsday”; December 21, 2012: Fact or Hoax?

Sunday, December 12, 2010

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Matthew 24:36

If you knew the exact date the world was going to end would you change the way you lived? Most of us would certainly radically alter our lifestyles trying to live our lives to the fullest with no regrets. Panic, worrying, and mayhem would also persist. The latest doomsday prediction which has exploded on to the scene in recent years is December 21, 2012. This isn’t the first time that the end of the world has been predicted. In fact it’s become almost common place in the past few decades; most notably on January 1, 2000, the self-proclaimed Y2K date.  So what’s this latest doomsday end of the world talk all about? Where did it come from? Should we be worried? What should our view of this be as Christians?

Type in the date December 21, 2012 in Google and you’ll get over 8 million results. Go to your local Borders or Barnes and Nobles bookstore and you’ll find a entire section devoted just to 2012 doomsday prophecies, speculation, and preparation. There have been documentaries produced and a movie made by Roland Emmerich last year simply titled, 2012, that shows what some believe the end of the world will look like. There’s merchandise selling like hotcakes off the shelves with doomsday images, warnings, and slogans. No matter how much you want to ignore it, it’s becoming a national obsession. Where did all of this 2012 doomsday talk come from? The main reason it’s believed to mark the end of the world is that it’s the end of the Mayan calendar. It’s the end of the five, 125-year long cycle of their calendar. Also New Age interpretations say it’s a time of a spiritual transformation. Others have proposed that the Earth will collide with a passing planet or black hole.  Finally some propose that earthquakes, solar storms, magnetic pole reversal, and other natural events will wreck havoc upon earth.  

First off, the Mayans did not consider the date December 21, 2012 significant or that it marked the end of the world. It was simply the end of their calendar cycle. Regardless of whether the Mayan calendar ends or not, it has no relevance to us in the present day. The talk of a planet, asteroid, or black hole destroying the earth  are even more outrageous. Any amateur astronomer could easy detect any large object and would have observed the object by now if it’s to hit in December of 2012. What about earthquakes or natural disasters? It is very highly likely that under the current conditions of the earth that we’ll encounter some natural disasters, but assuredly not on a global scale; at least not yet. God will pour His wrath upon the earth, but there are still things that must come to pass before then. Read more about this in the book of Revelation if you’re interested.

Will the world end on December 21, 2012? Simply put…No!! December 21, 2012 will be the latest of countless failed predictions of the end of the world. The disciples asked the question of when the world would end(Matthew 24:3) and Jesus would go on to tell them: “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, not the Son, but only the Father.” (Matthew 24:36) Only one person knows the date when the world will end–God the Father. Even Jesus is kept from knowing despite His omniscience.  Nowhere in the Bible is a future date prophesied about the end of the world. Some claim that the Bible “codes” allude to 2012 being a significant year in prophecy.  Mark Hitchcock a long time Bible prophecy expert warns Christians, “This pick-and-choose method of interpretation and application is not consistent with sound scholarship.” He goes on to say, ““In spite of the clear teaching of Scripture and the miserable record of those who have tried to predict the end date, people continue to set dates for the coming of Christ and the end of the world.” Despite all of this, Jesus did give us signs to give us an indication when the end of the world was coming to an end in Matthew 24.

In Matthew 24 we are told to watch that no one deceives us claiming to be the Christ. (verse 4) This prophecy has already been fulfilled in many cases and is still going on today.  Also there will be rumors of wars and nations will rise against nations.(verses 6,7). Again this has been seen throughout history and wars have been present  throughout every single generation since Jesus’ life. Jesus goes on to say that there will be famines and earthquakes in various places(verses 7,8). In recent years we’ve encountered many large earthquakes and natural disasters possibly a sign of the birth pains Jesus was referring to. Next, we’re told that many will be handed over, persecuted, and put to death because of Him. (verse 9) Today there are more reported persecution and martyrs for Christ than ever before in recorded history. False prophets will be another sign and in today’s modern church you don’t have to look far to see this to be true with Televangelists. (verse 11) Finally, we’re told that there will be an increase in wickedness, people turning away from the faith, and love growing cold. Flip through the television channels, newspaper headlines, or magazine racks and it’s pretty obvious that we are currently living in one of the darkest periods in human history. Could we be in the end times? It’s quite possible.  The next question we need to ask is this: Do we need to be worried?

Instead of viewing the end of world with terror, panic, and doom we should embrace it with a passion to live our lives with a reckless abandon for the cause of Christ. We must led lives worthy of Christ’s return. “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.” 2 Peter 3:10-12a. Would you be satisfied  with your life if Christ returned today? If we’re honest with ourselves–many of us wouldn’t. We’re still clinging to bad habits, our sinful ways, our possessions and money, or grudges against our neighbors. There’s a reason why you’re still here. Christ’s work on earth isn’t done yet and He has bestowed us with everything we’ve been blessed with.

The best-selling authors of Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz  give this advice on what our view of the end of the world talk should be: “Even if the end of the world doesn’t occur in your lifetime, it will end when you die —at least for you..and you will be immediately ushered into eternity to await judgment..[and] only one thing will count: your relationship with God.”  One way or another the world will end—when you die. Unless Christ comes back in your lifetime, you will die and then you will face judgment. In the end only one thing matters–whether or not you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. The money you accumulated, the possessions you piled up, the positions you held, the achievements you made, the good deeds you did–all have no worth in God’s eyes if you didn’t accept His Son.

There are two wrong ways to approach the end of the world. Ignore it and keep living exactly the same way you were before or living each day in fear with panic and in a chaotic state. The correct approach is to pursue each day as it’s our last, but at the same time with a eye on the future. God promises us a bright future, but we have to trust Him. It all comes down to trust. No matter what happens in this lifetime God’s promises will be fulfilled in this life or the next. God never fails to deliver on His promises. At the same token there are certain things that should not be put off till tomorrow. Such as telling a loved one, “I love you.” Reconciling a relationship with a parent or sibling. Asking God for forgiveness of unconfessed sins.  Telling others about Christ. Showing God’s love everywhere you go. These things need to be carried out each day so that we leave nothing to regret.  

Two years from now expect a lot of fear, panic, speculation, and worrying around you. See this time period as an opportunity to present the Gospel of Christ to those in desperate need of Him. This may be the one time they are open to the message of God’s love and forgiveness.  And since it’s around the Christmas holiday season they are more receptive than they would be at any other point in the year. Live with a unassuming confidence, purpose, and love for others that you’ll stick out from the crowd and they’ll wonder why this is.

Don’t be caught off guard when your “end of the world” comes. Be prepared and live in expectancy.  Our longing for Christ should give us all the motivation we need to live on fire for Him with each passing day. Learn to live with eternity in your heart. Treasure every moment you’ve been given. Invest in our people’s lives. Give back to those less fortunate than you.  The clock is still ticking and the hourglass hasn’t run out yet. There’s still time. Your story is still being written with every choice you make.  Follow God’s calling in your life and leave no regrets. Love God with all your heart, mind, strength, and soul. Wake up each day and ask this simple question: “If my world ended today, would I be ready?”  

Future Features: If you want more information on December 21, 2012 please refer to the sources I researched for this blog. Just be advised that not everything you read in these articles can be taken at face value even if they claim to be Christian sites!  I didn’t have the time or space to write more on 2012, but there’s a plethora of information on it– just be careful on researching it! Also view this video by the Internet Pastor Online as well below. For Biblical prophecies about the end times read the book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible. Just be prepared for more questions than answers–it’s a very difficult and challenging read for sure.

For next week we’ll conclude the year with a much more fun blog on my new upcoming ministry, Shout Out to the Silver Screen; introducing it and the Toy Story Trilogy that will launch the ministry next May. Then I’ll be taking a three week break to enjoy the Holidays and prepare for the upcoming year. Along with the blog expect at least one more Profile on Randy Alcorn and a few more Glee blogs this year.  God Bless!!

Sources: http://www.endoftheworld2012.net/

http://au.christiantoday.com/article/2012-and-the-end-of-the-world/7237.htm

http://www.escapeallthesethings.com/2012.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_phenomenon

http://www.2012hoax.org/

http://www.suite101.com/content/what-does-the-bible-say-about-2012-a185640

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLzBLzNu3JY

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24&version=NIV