Is the World Ending?

Is the world ending? Sometimes natural disasters, or pandemics, can cause people to ask that question. They look at the disaster or the trouble that they're in and they think: “this has to be a sign that the world is coming to an end.”

Matthew 24:3

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Is the world ending? Sometimes natural disasters, or pandemics, can cause people to ask that question. They look at the disaster or the trouble that they’re in and they think: “this has to be a sign that the world is coming to an end.”

That’s not a new question for humanity. In fact in Matthew chapter 24 we see Jesus’ disciples wrestling with the same question. The beginning of the chapter they ask

“And what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the world?” (Matthew 24:3)

Jesus went on to explain that there will be wars and rumors of wars, famines, strife, all these different types of things, disasters and then the end will come. This world will one day be finished when Jesus comes again. And when he comes he is going to judge the living and the dead.

Now for some that’s a scary thought. That this world is going to end it’s going to be over and then God’s going to judge me. Oh no! That’s not the reaction that God wants you to have to the ending of the world. No he wants you to know the verdict already.

In Jesus you can know what God will say to you at the end of time. Because of Jesus you can be sure that he is going to say “Not guilty. Innocent! My dear child.” Because Jesus took your sins away and he suffered and died in your place so that now you are dearly loved by God.

So when we see these natural disasters they are a sign for us that the world is ending. And they are a sign for us that we would be ready for this world to end. And you can be ready. In Jesus your savior. Confident of his love and forgiveness, you can live through all things, even disasters, at peace. Peace be with you, amen.

Timothy Hartwig
Timothy Hartwig

Tim Hartwig is currently serving as President of the Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary.

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