Is this the end?

We all wonder about the “end of the world”. It seems to be a topic that gets the creativity of many flowing. From movies, to literature, to sermons and Bible studies, the views and approaches are as varied as the menu at the Cheesecake Factory. Nuclear bombs, meteorites, world wars, computers, zombies, and of course, pandemic.

We are not the first to wonder and speculate about these things. Some of us grew up hearing predictions about the end of the world. Remember Y2K? Or the apparent calculations made by the Mayans for 2012? And don’t even get me started on Nostradamus.

That’s not all. Some, even if well intentioned, quote specific verses from the Bible to make complicated step by step scenarios, speculations about dates and warnings about signs. 

Millions of people are asking if our current situation is one of those signs to look for. A quick search on youtube for ‘signs of the end’ or ‘rapture’ will suffice. (For more on how to interpret these passages in the New Testament, consider reading from respected scholars like N.T. Wright and others.) 

My question is: how should we approach this subject in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic? 

Here are a few thoughts.

To begin, we need to realize that every day millions of humans live day by day in the midst of war, famine, sickness, violence, racism, etc. Because of our access to information today, we can read about it, see pictures and even watch videos. But we go on about our lives, mostly unaffected. The thought about that being the sign of the end times does not cross our minds.

Somehow, it’s not until that reality knocks at our door that we start considering the question. When things get tough, and it hurts us or our loved ones directly, we feel tempted to jump to the the conclusion that it must be the end. 

I don’t mean to be insensitive. It is scary; this thing is real. We should all follow instructions and do our part to stop the spreading of this dangerous  virus. We need to address our fears and anxieties in a healthy way, and it’s ok to ask for help. 

This is an opportunity to ask God to help us see and hear what he’s doing and saying. Because God is always working and speaking to us. The problem is we don’t always take notice. 

So, is this it?

 I don’t know. The truth is nobody knows.

The Christian worldview states that history is not a series of random events. Conversely, it sees history as heading in a specific direction. Jesus talked about the kingdom of God becoming near. 

In Jesus, God was establishing his kingdom on earth. Theologians talk about it as an “already, but not yet” reality. It is already here, and we can experience and live some of its implications, but it’s also coming to its fulness at some point in the future. That’s where history is heading.

Jesus promised to return, and I trust him. I just don’t think it will occur as some movies and books try to predict. Actually, some of these images would be better left behind (see what I did there?). 

So, the return or reappearance of Jesus will fully establish the kingdom of God forever. Yes, there will be a kind of end, but only to give rise to a new beginning. Not as a part of an endless cycle but as the fulfillment of God’s promise of redemption, resurrection and eternal life. 

Nevertheless, there are some details of which we can't be certain.

These are Jesus’ words to his disciples:

“It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 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.” Acts 1:7-8

Not. For. Us. 

In other words, that responsibility is beyond our capacity. We are  expected to act on what we know. And what we do know is this: we have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power. Power to be witnesses, to tell the good news about hope and salvation. To talk about how God’s plan is not for our destruction but for our redemption. 

In conclusion, I’m not saying it does not matter if this is the end or not. On the contrary, like with all serious matters of the Kingdom I suggest we follow the King's advice: be like the faithful servant who is focused on doing what he (and she) was called to do. 

Rather than "is this the end?” the question should be how do we honor God in such times? how can we love our neighbor in the midst of a pandemic? and how can we offer the hope of the gospel to those around us?

 Not just because we fear this might be the end, but because it’s what we were called to do since the beginning. 

“As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me” - Jesus (John 9:3-5)