Many historians and scientists have been trying and are trying to predict the date in which the world will come to an end. The Mayans thought that the end of times was on December 21st, 2012. Clearly they were wrong as I am still here, typing about their unfortunate miscalculation. Scientists like Sir Isaac Newton also have their own predictions as to when the world will end. We as Christians know that the end of the world is coming, however when is still a mystery, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (Matthew 24:36). God did not leave us completely oblivious though about the end of the Earth but through the Bible, He described many omens and signs about the nearness of His coming. Description of the Events Preceding the Second Coming: The book of Matthew, specifically chapter 24, provides a very descriptive explanation of the signs of the times. Firstly, Jesus says that no two stones will stay on top of each other that will not be thrown down (Matthew 24:2), this referred to the destruction of the Temple; however, it is also interpreted as that nothing and no one will be able to survive these devastating events. Jesus also describes that many will come and claim to be Him (these people are referred to as the anti- Christs). Jesus warns us to take heed against those people. Jesus says many wars will rise and nation will battle nation. In addition, many famines, diseases, and natural disasters will occur. These are just the beginning of what is to come. Jesus continues to mention that Christians will be persecuted and killed during those times. Because of the lawlessness and chaos, people will betray one another and the love in the world will diminish.
Indications and Events of the Second Coming: The Second Coming will be a world-wide revelation, “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30). Unlike the false proclamations of the anti-Christs, where doubt and skepticism is present, no one will be able to deny or challenge the fact that the Son of God has come. Everyone will see Jesus descending back down from heaven as He will come the same way He ascended, “…This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). God will proceed to judge the world as per Matthew 25: 31-33, “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.” The devil will also no longer have any influence on people and will be sealed forever (Revelation 20:1-3). The same harmony that was intended for us at the Garden of Eden will also be restored as the prophet Isaiah mentioned by using an analogy of a lamb and wolf. Isaiah uses symbolisms of animals like the lamb and the wolf, that naturally have a predator-prey relationship (Isaiah 11:6-9). The lamb and wolf are portrayed dwelling together in peace. This is a metaphor for the kind of serenity that will be found after Jesus’s coming; there will be no more struggling or strife and bodily afflictions will not exist, and tranquility will overcome adversary.
Preparation not the Generation: Since there is no debate whether the world is going to end or not, because it is inevitable and we cannot escape it, our concern should be for our constant state of readiness. “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Matthew 24:44). No matter how redundant this may sound, but as Christians, we have to always have an anticipating heart, that is equipped with repentance, prayer, and the sacraments. God reassured us that it is not going to be easy, but those who endure to the end will be saved (Matthew 24:13).
