THE END OF THE WORLD

In Matthew 24:3, Jesus’ disciple asked Him these three important questions, “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Jesus responded by giving them signs for which to watch. Notably, these signs merely told people the end was near, and they signaled the beginning of a painful period. Jesus also shared that believers would experience persecution and betrayal from within their families, sin would abound, but only those that endured would remain standing.

Many believers have interpreted the last question posed by the disciples in the wrong way. They believe until the gospel is preached everywhere, the rapture will not occur. The key factor to remember is at the end of the world, Revelation 21:1-3 occurs, “I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” I like The Message Bible translation of these verses. It read, “I saw Heaven and earth new-created. Gone the first Heaven, gone the first earth, gone the sea. I saw Holy Jerusalem, new-created, descending resplendent out of Heaven, as ready for God as a bride for her husband. I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They’re his people, he’s their God. He’ll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone. The Enthroned continued, Look! I’m making everything new. Write it all down—each word dependable and accurate.”

Between now and Revelation 21 happening, several events will occur. Our next major event is the rapture, followed by the tribulation. The Bible reveals during the tribulation, there will be a hundred forty-four thousand sealed servants of God and two witnesses spreading the kingdom message (Revelation 7, 8). Additionally, I believe some people who rejected serving God before the tribulation, realizing they were in error, will also become ministers of the Word. The tribulation ends with the Battle of Armageddon.

After this, the Millennial reign of Christ happens. People will have the ability to choose what belief system they will follow, for not only will they hear the kingdom message, but they will experience the rule of the righteous king. Hence, there will be those that will accept Jesus as their Sovereign Lord and King, and there will be those that reject Him. This can be seen in the scriptures that talk about Satan being loosed from the bottomless pit. It states in Revelation 20:7- 9, “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.” This event is the Battle of Gog and Magog, followed by the White Throne Judgment, and then Revelation 21 occurs.

Though the information that I have shared with you reveals there is a while before the world ends, it does not mean you have time to waste for tomorrow is not promised to us. So, I conclude with an invitation to those who are yet in the valley of decision. Surrender your life to God, for your world may end before the end of the world.