Will 2012 Be the End of the Age?

Much like the Y2K hype that, well, fizzled after about 18 months of hype by the media and every two-bit marketing shyster that could put together a sentence, the 2012 doomsday hype machine is changing gears and, if nothing else, hoping to cash in on the Mayan prediction.  According to this Mayan prediction, the end of the current age will take place on December 21, 2012.  But is there any truth to this prediction that has snared the public?  Let’s take a look at what the Bible says about the end of the age.

In Matthew 24:3, the disciples asked Jesus about the sign of the end of the age.  Jesus replied to them in Matthew 24:4-28, describing the various events that will happen just before the end of the age.  Earthquakes in diverse places.  Famine.  Wars and rumors of wars.  Nation rising against nation.  False Christs and false prophets.  Persecution.  Lawlessness increased.  Betrayal and hatred of one another.  The antichrist declaring himself to be God in the Israeli temple, and a great tribulation to follow.

At this point in time, the third temple in Israel hasn’t been completed, so there is no temple for the antichrist to commit blasphemy (also called the abomination of desolation).  We also know from reading the book of the prophet Daniel that the antichrist comes on the scene making a covenant with many for one week of years, but will declare himself to be God in the middle of this covenant period, or the 3 1/2 year mark (Daniel 9:27).  Daniel 12:11 goes a little further and explains that from the day of the abomination of desolation, there will be 1290 days, or 3 1/2 years.

Without going into the book of Revelation and explaining the opening of the seals, the beast (which is also another name of the antichrist) and the false prophet, it’s clear that we’ve already passed the 3 1/2 year mark to December 21, 2012 (the 3 1/2 year point happened back in June of 2009).  No third temple exists in Israel.  No covenant has been made with many.  No one has declared himself to be God in the Israeli holy place.  I can say with all certainty that from a Biblical perspective, 2012 will not mean the end of the world.  However…

What I can tell you is this:  no one knows the day or the hour of the coming of Jesus (Matthew 24:36,42) except God, and He will come at a time when you don’t think He will.  (Matthew 24:44)  While Jesus outlined the signs of His coming in Matthew 24:4-28, He is also coming for those who believe in Him before the tribulation of the end of days “like a thief in the night,” according to 1 Thessalonians 5:2.  This event is most commonly referred to as the rapture of the church.  The rapture is a signless and imminent event.  In other words, nothing is required to happen prophetically-speaking and the Lord could call His believers to meet Him in the clouds at any second.  Are you ready?

Open your mouth and tell Jesus you’re a sinner.  Ask for His forgiveness and His free gift of salvation.  If you’re sincere and it’s coming from your heart, He will make you a new person on the inside that very instant and you will live with Him for all of eternity when you physically die or are raptured.

Folks, I have never witnessed so many pieces falling into place and prophetic words from 2000 years ago coming to pass so quickly.  I believe time is short.  If you haven’t given your life to Jesus, please do it today.  Even if there are years to go before the end of the age, no man is guaranteed another day.  A decision to follow Christ is the most important decision you will make because it determines your eternal destination.  A non-belief in Jesus is the same as rejecting Him.