It's Not the End Yet!

Ps Melinda Song

People are intrigued by the mystery of the unknown future. Hence the popularity of astrology, fortune-telling and horoscopes.

So it is no surprise that Doomsday prophecies garner great interest among people, especially Christians when they involve the end of the world and the second coming of Christ.

But belief in end-time predictions seems to require a faith with a very short memory–you have to forget all the previous times the end was predicted that proved wrong in order to get excited about the most recent time-table. It is like the story of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf".

Let us take the example of the latest end-time prediction of the world ending on 23 September 2017. If David Meade had been right, all of us would not be here today.

If you remember, in my last message I spoke of my desire for TOP to be a Spirit and Truth Family Church that honours equally the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit and the authority of the Word of God. As such it is my duty as your Pastor to address this issue that keeps cropping up to see how it aligns with the Word of God and how we should respond to it.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

On 16 September 2017, the headline on the front page of Fox News read, "Christian doomsdayers claim world will end next week."

It's under the heading "Science"!!! When you click on it, the article headline proclaims, "Biblical prophecy claims the world will end on Sept. 23, Christian numerologists claim."

How common are predictions that the end is at hand?

Wikipedia lists over 170 different religiously motivated predictions of the end of the world.

·     The first recorded one dates back to the year 66 and ancient Judea.

·     They seem to be a mostly Protestant pastime.

Why this prediction now? Wasn't there another big "apocalypse now" prediction a few years ago? 

Scholars say doomsday predictions cluster around certain events — the Great Plague of the Middle Ages, or the "harmonic convergence" of the planets, or the year 2000.

And there has been a long string of predictions in the last two decades.

1.   American Christian radio host Harold Camping stated that the Rapture and Judgment Day would take place on May 21, 2011. When that did not happen he recalibrated the date to five months later on October 21, 2011 which was also proven wrong.

2.   Then came the blood moon prophecy which is a series of apocalyptic beliefs promoted by Christian ministers John Hagee and Mark Biltz, which state that a tetrad (a series of four consecutive lunar eclipses—coinciding on Jewish holidays—with six full moons in between, and no intervening partial lunar eclipses) which began with the April 2014 lunar eclipse is a sign of the end times as described in the Bible in the Book of Joel, Acts 2:20 and Revelation 6:12. The tetrad ended with the lunar eclipse on September 27-28, 2015. Again nothing happened.

3.   The most recent prophecy is by conspiracy theorist and self-proclaimed Christian numerologist David Meade made international headlines over his claims that the world would end on 23 September 2017.

His comprehensive theory for the end times based on a mixture of supposed biblical studies and science centres around a non-existent planet Niburu which, he claimed, is due to collide with planet earth.

The suggestion was widely rubbished by experts including NASA with a spokesman saying: 'The planet in question, Niburu, doesn't exist, so there will be no collision.'

Clearly the end has been postponed again as we're all still here, but Meade – whose motivations must remain mysterious – has had an enormous amount of media attention.

Now is he claiming people misunderstood his theory, that Sept. 23 was merely a day of “signs.” He told Washington Post that “the world is not ending, but the world as we know it is ending. A major part of the world will not be the same the beginning of October.” His astrological omen interpretations are now meant to be figurative and foreboding omens to a “beginning of the end” (i.e., the tribulation) and the date was pushed back from a very specific “September 23” to “beginning of October.”

Doomsday prophets ALWAYS do this. Failed doomsday prophets don’t repent – they just dig in, change the date, and turn it into a metaphor.

A LOOK AT DAVID MEADE & HIS CLAIMS

1.   He claims to be a Christian numerologist. Rev. Ed Stetzer wrote in Christianity Today, “There is no such thing as a legitimate ‘Christian numerologist.’”

Numbers do have meaning in Scripture but there are no secret numerical codes that require a profession called “Christian numerology.” No seminary nor do any professional accredited institutions offer such a degree.

Whenever someone tells you they have found a secret number code in the Bible, everything else he or she says can be discounted.

There are numbers in the Bible but they don’t require a numerologist.

·     The number one denoting the singleness of the Creator as a unified being: “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one.”

·     The number three is used to signify perfection in the Trinity as well as completion: Jesus’ ministry on earth lasted three years and his resurrection occurred three days after his death.

·     The number seven—likely the most well-known of biblical numbers—is also used to show divine perfection and completeness. This can be seen in God’s creation of the world in six days and decision to Sabbath on the seventh as well as numerous Old Testament rituals and celebrations.

God uses numbers in Scripture as a means to communicate with his people, they aren’t to be put to inappropriate use, such as making wild claims and trying to predict the end of the world using numbers and planetary motions as Meade and others have.

2.   Meade doesn’t have any biblical training yet he is discussing biblical matters of profound significance and making predictions about events of global importance without any real authority on these topics.

3.   There’s also another strange detail that those touting the September 23 theories have somehow missed: The same celestial arrangement has reportedly already happened in 1827, 1483, 1293 and 1056 — all in the month of September.

BUT WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THE RETURN OF CHRIST?

Mark 13:32-37, NKJV

³² “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³ Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. ³⁴ It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. ³⁵ Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning—³⁶ lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. ³⁷ And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”

As we look at events in the world today, we may wonder how history is going to turn out. We may even be confused and troubled about end times, ethnic hatreds, volatile economies, international strife, and the warnings of doomsayers may feel very unsettling.

Jesus' words in Mark 13, Matthew 24, and Lk 21:5-36 speak of these issues. The whole conversation started off with the disciples' comments on the solidity and significance of Jerusalem's major urban structure, the temple (Mk 3:1). Jesus replied by noting how temporary such structures actually are (13.2). Later, in a quiet setting (13:3), he entered into far more detail about the end of history as we know it and the stresses believers would undergo (13:4-37).

Rather than avoid he topic, he spoke of:

•      deception, wars, earthquakes, and famines as the beginning of troubles (13:5-8).

•      how his followers would experience testing as his witnesses before courts, rulers, and. kings (13:9-11).

•      how family members would turn against each other (13:12, 13).

•      how distress and deception would eventually reign, but such times would be limited by God (13:14-25).

•      his eventual return for his own (13:15-31).

•      the fact that no one knows precisely when he will return–and thus the need for his followers to be watchful and dutiful in serving God (13:32-37).

The fact that Jesus says no one knows the day or hour of His return means that it's utter foolishness to predict a specific day. Jesus knows the signs of his coming are sure, but the timing is not (Mk. 13:32,33,35,36).

End-time date-setting does not align with the Bible so we should stop predicting specific days or entertaining them.

WHAT SHOULD BE OUR RESPONSE?

Before the Second coming of Christ and the end of the age, Jesus will first come for His Church in what is often called 'The Rapture' that could happen at any moment, when hundreds of millions of Christians are suddenly and stealthily removed from the earth without any definite signs.

Verse 33 – Take heed, watch and pray

Verse 35 – Watch

Verse 37 - And what I say to you, I say to ALL: Watch!”

1.   Since Jesus could come back for His people at anytime, we should always live with readiness to meet the Lord. We must be alert (not sleep) and watchful or vigilant, and not grow complacent thinking that the Lord is going to tarry long.

ARE YOU READY?

2.   Jesus is coming back for a radiant bride so let us say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope–the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:12,13).

1 John 3;2-3), NLT

² Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. ³ And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure. 

3.   The Master also left his property, his authority, and his work in the hands of his servants. He has given to his servant “each his work” so we should labour with all our might to make an impact for Him in our assigned tasks, since we have only one life to reach our generation.

We are not discounting biblical prophecy. We need to be students of Bible prophecy which should motivate us to live godly lives and do all that we can to reach our generation while we can.

THE NEED FOR SPIRIT AND TRUTH IN THE CHURCH

The apostle John in his first epistle tells us not to believe everything: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 Jn. 4:1). We need to be discerning concerning things we choose to believe in.

We can’t just believe everything in the media; instead, we must think both carefully and critically about what we read, see and hear. We need to consider our sources and, when situations like this arise, be careful to seek out answers from people who actually know what they’re talking about. If those matters are of a spiritual or eternal nature we should look to the Bible for our answers.

Acts 17:11, NKJV

¹¹ These [Jews in Berea] were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

Gullibility is not a virtue. We need to develop a Christian mind that is able to carefully filter the beliefs and ideas being presented to us. Apply wisdom and cultivate a spirit of discernment.

It’s not crazy to look at world events and ponder whether the signs mentioned in the Bible are, in some form, coming to fruition; but it is bizarre and dangerous to start setting dates in violation of the very scripture you claim to hold dear.

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

Therefore, as another end-of-the-world prophecy fails, we ought to remember that:

A. WE STAND IN FAITH AND NOT FEAR

"...if indeed you continue in the faith, firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard" (Col 1:23).

The spirit of fear is rampant around the world and we must keep our hearts and minds fixed on God's goodness and His triumphant love. Faith is what pleases God (Heb 11:6). Jesus is coming back for us.

B. JESUS IS RETURNING FOR A RADIANT BRIDE

"Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless" (Eph 5:25-27).

It is to the Father's glory that the Bride of Christ is ready for the return of the Bridegroom. He is looking for a Bride that is held in honour (radiant), free of moral faults (without stain), not old and tired (without wrinkle), blameless (holy), and free of any blemish (without moral blame or rebuke). UNTIL we demonstrate this reality, we have work to do. Let us pray that we would become a Bride that is fitting for the King.

C. THE LOST NEED TO BE SAVED

"Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 'The time has come,' He said. 'The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news' " (Mark 1:14-15)!

We must never forget what we were commissioned to do — preach the gospel of the kingdom of God so that the lost will be saved and empowered for eternity. Every day until Jesus returns provides another opportunity for those in darkness to see the light. Let us use this time wisely as good stewards of this good news.

Every time end-of-the-world predictions resurface in the media, it is important that we ask ourselves, "Is this helpful? Is peddling these falsehoods a good way to contribute to meaningful, helpful discussions about the end times?"

Failed date-setting has discredited Christians many times before. It's irresponsible for any Christian to tell an unbeliever when Jesus is coming back or when the world will end. Dates and deadlines don't have the power to save souls—only the gospel can do that.

Our job is to preach the good news. All the storms, floods, fires, earthquakes, riots, political tension, terrorism and nuclear attacks have put fear and anxiety in people's hearts today. But the answer to all this bad news is not a doomsday prediction; the answer is Jesus, who gives us supernatural peace so we can live securely in a chaotic world.

We should tell about the miracle of Calvary and remind them: "Now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:2). Hundreds of thousands of people die every day without Jesus, whether or not He returns in their generation. This alone should motivate us to avoid foolish distractions and false prophecies so we can get busy with the task of evangelism.

One of the signs of Jesus’ return is that the gospel shall be preached to the ends of the earth.

D. WE ARE TO DO BUSINESS UNTIL HE RETURNS

"The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is in your midst" (Luke 17:20).

" So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’" (Luke 19:13, NKJV).

Let us do what we have been called to do and let God be God. Luther in response to the question of what he would do if he knew the end of the world would come the next day -- something to the effect of "I would plant a tree." This could mean that he would (1) continue to do what God put him here to do, and (2) live with hope.

CONCLUSION

Jesus Himself said all end-times date setting is strictly off-limits.

Acts 1:6-8, NIV

⁶ So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 

⁷ He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 

As await the coming of our Lord and Master, our Bridegroom may we continue to:

•      Walk in faith and not in fear

•      Live godly and holy lives to be a radiant bride fitting for a King

•      Get busy with the task of evangelism

•      Be good stewards of the gifts, talents, treasure and time that God has given to us

People who get excited about supposed signs miss the point that Jesus made. Instead of setting dates, we ought to be ready for His return at any moment. Are you ready?

If you are, then you be able respond as the apostle John did.

Revelation 22:20, NIV

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” 

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.