The End of the World

Passage: Matthew 24

Christians have historically looked to passages like Matthew 24 for information about the end of the world. Invariably we want to compare current circumstances to the dire predictions found in “apocalyptic” texts like Revelation, Daniel, or this chapter in Matthew. We want to know if “the end is near”. This is a fruitless endeavor.

Here’s why: at any point in human history, there has been some place in the world where these seemingly apocalyptic events are unfolding. When Jesus tells his disciples about the “signs of the end of the age”, he mentions “wars and rumors of wars; nations rising against nations; famines and earthquakes in various parts of the world.” Has there been a time, since Jesus walked the earth, that these things haven’t been happening somewhere? On the basis of this evidence anyone living in Sudan, Palestine, or Haiti could conclude right now that that the world is coming to an end.

This is not to dismiss in any way what Jesus tells his disciples about his return. What Jesus says is, “These are the signs that I’m coming back. Watch, listen, and remain prepared. Never stop looking for my return.” The twelve disciples, like Jesus’ disciples today, find Jesus’ predictions about the end of the world distressing. Jesus describes a world in turmoil – a world no one would want to live in. But Jesus is describing the world we’re already living in. And his point is that no matter how painful things are, something better is coming.

The analogy Jesus uses is labor pains. Jesus tells his disciples that the pain that grips the world is a precursor to something of unprecedented joy and wonder. Jesus tells his church to persevere through their suffering in the same way that a mom-to-be perseveres through labor. The prize at the end far outweighs the pain of the moment.

This principle applies to every struggle and every hurt Jesus’ disciples experience. In truth, we can’t know whether the events that turn our lives upside down are the end of the world. Sometimes they just feel that way. And whether or not the world is actually coming to an end, Jesus’ message is the same: Treat this as a reminder that I am coming back. Don’t lose heart. Watch and wait. Something better is on its way.