Apocalypse

While there was much media hype about Harold Camping's prediction that the world would end on October 21 of last year, few people know that it was actually the third time Camping inaccurately predicted the end of the world.

In fact, there was never any possibility that Harold Camping - or anyone, for that matter, would be right about when the world would end.

Thus Camping fell into one of two specific modern ways of dealing with this issue that are not particularly helpful.**

The first view is more measured - and perhaps more unhelpful - than the second. This view lays out "Biblical evidence" as to why Apocalypse is near, and sometimes is even so bold as to declare a date for the Apocalypse (or several, as in the case of Harold Camping).

This view presumes to know more about the topic than we rightly can know as humans. As image-bearers, God has given us the ability to know, but our knowledge is limited. We should not presume to say more about our place in the universe than we have the right to - acting as if we can know exactly when and how the world is going to end is doing exactly that.

Even more, there is firm biblical evidence that clearly tells us that the end will come without warning. 1 Thessalonians 5 (verse 2; more text below) tells us, "for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night." I will explore more fully some of the themes in this passage in addressing the second view.

As an aside, it is hypothetically possible that someone has guessed the date when the end will come. This is especially more likely if many people pick any and every date. They may guess the right day, even if their reasoning is wrong. However, this should not significantly change how we think about our daily lives. Our lives should be guided by clear understanding, gleaning what truth we can from what we know to be true.

The second is a particularly insidious and tempting view that says, "of course Doomsday won't be anytime soon." This very argument was used in New Testament days, and though we are nearly 2000 years removed from that time, this should certainly not be our mindset.

Very little of where this statement comes from is based in right understanding. There is usually the presumption that we cannot know when the Lord will return (I'll elaborate on this shortly), but this view goes beyond that basic Scripture-based presumption and is reactionary to the times. Because of the hype about the Mayan calendar and Harold Camping's erroneous claims, among other things, some people will go too far and assure themselves that the day of judgment is far off.

As with the first view, we miss the point that Matthew presents in Mt. 24:36: "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." Coupled with this verse, though, it is important to understand that the Lord will return at an unknown moment.

So how soon will He return? Clifford Goldstein writes a great article on this topic. He gives some great insight as to perhaps part of why Jesus did not elaborate at all on how soon he would return:

Suppose those who lived 100, 200, or even 500 years ago knew that time would go on past the year 2000 without Christ returning. How easy it would be to fall into spiritual lethargy or even into sin and self-indulgence because the return is such a long way off. Jesus told a parable to that effect about a servant who, believing his master had delayed his return, abused other servants and began “ ‘to eat and drink and get drunk’ ” (Luke 12:45). All this happened precisely because the servant thought the return was a long way off. If, however, he had thought that his master could return any time soon, he might have acted differently.

We need to be ready. In fact, in the ages to come, we will understand how small a wait it was for His return. After exhorting them to love one another, Paul tells the Romans in chapter 13:

11 And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Ever since Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension, the day is "at hand." Our whole Age - the Age defined by Jesus' first coming - is the time of salvation; a time to be readying ourselves. More than that, the "delay" we perceive in the Lord's returning is actually a mercy, that men may have time to repent. 2 Peter 3:9 states: "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." As Peter reminds his readers that they owe their own salvation to this delay, we must remember that this applies to us. Let us be thankful that the Lord has patiently waited, so that we can embrace Him!

The Lord could return in the year 3500, or He could return on October 1. He might even return on December 21. I wouldn't specifically count on it, though. What I would count on is that He wants us to spend the time we have glorifying Him and being a part of His Kingdom work. As 1 Thessalonians 5:8 states, "…since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on the faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet."

This view is also largely unhelpful because it can help us presume there is "nothing to worry about," which can lead to apathy and ignorance of the problems in our world and our hearts. We assume that the world will keep on turning regardless of our actions, but we miss something here. We are new creations in Christ, to be constantly seeking out patterns of sin in our lives.

I believe part of the reason lies here: our lives are but a breath - gone in a moment. I could live another 50 years or another 50 minutes. The realization of this human fragility should lead us to live meaningful lives. I know not when I will meet my maker… I should live my life as if that day is near (which, of course, in the larger sense, it definitely is!). Matthew 24:42-44 tells us as much:

42 Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 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. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Let us never fall into complacency or forget that the Lord will return "to judge the living and the dead" (the Apostles' Creed). Rather, let us be ready and awaiting His return.

Ultimately, we should humbly admit that we cannot know when the world will end while still acknowledging that we should be prepared at all times for exactly that. But we should not face it with fear; rather, we should look forward to seeing the completion of God's work on earth, continually pointing one another and unbelievers to the light of Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, 23-24

1 Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 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.

4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 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. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

*All passages used are New International Version (1984).

**Note: Camping did eventually admit in a letter that his attempts to predict apocalypse were unfounded.