HOW SOON IS THE END?

Recalling the past discussions we had back in high school, there’s this one intersting topic which really tickled my senses. I ain’t sure if it’s from the Aztecs or the Mayas but the main point of that issue was their prediction of the End of the World. It was stated there that it will occur in the 10th of December 2012. Hearing that perhaps would not just give you any goosebumps but would really scare you to death, considering that we’re getting nearer and nearer to that date. But ooops… not really! Wasn’t that Armageddon thing being predicted so many times before saying that the earth would be crushed into pieces by that year, the millennium, and blah blah blah and yet until now, the earth still exists? The question which I want to raise up is this: Are there any miscalculations or misinterpreted times on the part of the so-called modern-day prophets about the end of the world?

I reflected on this issue and read the Scripture from Matthew 24:36 which says, "No one knows about the day or hour, not even the angels in heaven,nor the Son, but only the Father." This verse had given me a vivid explanation of why up to this very moment, nobody, and I am saying nobody can correctly prophesy the exact day, year and time of the Lord’s second coming. Of course in these days, a lot of scientists, astrologists, and other people who consider themselves "experts" have been studying, calculating, and trying to figure out when these end times will occur. Well frankly speaking, I think it’s such a WASTE OF TIME! Why spend their most precious times left on earth by seeking for an answer which none of us can really find. We also know for a fact that many many peaople nowadays are being non-chalant about these issues and they’re just saying, "unsa ba’y labot nako anang judgement day oi, di man na tinuod! wala pa man lagi na nahitabo?" Some of us believe, some of us do not. Some are serious about it, while some just make fun of it. It’s truly a painful fact that many of us have remained unrepentant of our sins and still continue doing the filthy things that are very much abominable to the Lord.
If we try to look at it, God has been very very patient to His people that He has given us much more time to change our bad ways, repent for our sins, and know more of Him who has created the heaven and the earth and all its creatures. According to 2 Peter 3:9, it says that "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understood slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." HALLELUJAH! See, the Lord loves us so dearly that He has granted us with ample time to turn away from our evil deeds and submit ourselves to Him! In these times and even before, the Lord doesn’t command us to study, research, and prophesy the exact day of His coming for we cannot. What He truly seeks for is our faith in Jesus Christ and our repentant hearts. Every second of our lives counts as a preparation for the Lord’s coming and we ought to live it holy and godly.

To those of you reading this article, let’s encourage one another to turn to God NOW, not tomorrow, not the next day or not even later. Because according to 2 Peter 3:10, "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare." I believe that we are approaching the end times as evidenced by poverty, war against nations, great earthquakes and other destructive calamities striking in different parts of the world. To us who are blessed to be alive at this very moment, these phenomena serve as warnings and wake-up calls to turn to our Mighty Savior Jesus Christ and leave the evil deeds of this filthy world behind. Let’s stop being hateful to one another. Put an end to drunkenness and wild parties which then lead to sexual immorality. Throw away those cruel and foolish words that come out of the mouth but instead, try to live a kind of life that is very much pleasing in the eyes of God. But as human beings, I know it ain’t that easy to change that kinda lifestyle right there and there because it needs a lot of adjustments and sacrifices as the process goes on. But as the Bible says in Luke 1:37,"For nothing is impossible with God." Let’s ask for the help of our Mighty Creator and we would be much amazed on how He will turn the unprepared beings into brave soldiers, armed with the belt of TRUTH, breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS, and shield of FAITH, which will make us prepare in the day of the Lord’s judgment because whether we like it or not, Jesus will come back for He said in John 14:28, "You heard me say, I am going away and I am coming back to you."