If you have been living on the earth for any reasonable period of time, you probably know by now that December 21, 2012 is predicted to be the end of the world according to the ancient Mayan calendar. That means that tonight’s post may be my last one, assuming that the Mayans knew more about the end of the world than God.
I was looking for a short explanation to give you as to why this is predicted, but there are so many conflicting stories out there that it would be difficult to pin the date on just one scenario. So, in the spirit of providing entertainment and knowledge at the same time, December 12th is the day that some people predict there will be a cataclysmic event when the earth collides with a black hole at the center of our galaxy, called Sagittarious A. Others believe that the earth is about to collide with a planet named Nibiru. As far as the black hole is concerned, we are not in the center of the galaxy so this option seems remote. And NASA scientists have let us know that if we were about to collide with Nibiru, or any other planet for that matter, we would be able to see the planet with our naked eyes from earth, and no such planet seems to be in imminent danger of colliding with us.
Still others believe that the magnetic poles will reverse which would result in all sorts of upheaval across the globe. While scientists admit that the earth’s magnetic field could change, it would probably occur very slowly, over more than 5000 years, so we probably wouldn’t even notice it while it was occurring.
Another prevailing thought is that December 21 is the end of the 5125 year-long cycle in the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar. Try saying that 3 times fast…. The thinking is that the earth will undergo a huge physical transformation as we end the cycle on the 21st. Of course, we already had another date picked in 2003, but folks finally gave up on that date when nothing happened. So you can see that December 21 has garned some additional support along the way from people who were disappointed in 2003.
Those who don’t believe that the world will undergo a physical transformation have clung to the belief that at least a huge spiritual shift will occur on the 21st. Speaking as one who is unashamedly in favor of spiritual renewal in our country and in the rest of the world, I hope that God does speak into the mess we are in and impact the hearts and minds of people from every walk of life. We need God to step in and do His thing with us…
Apparently, the rumors of the end of the world have caused officials in Michigan to close 33 schools 2 days early. Normally, students would have been in classes Thursday and Friday, but the distractions regarding the end of the world conversations have made teaching and learning virtually impossible. There is enough angst in the community that school officials thought it better to play it safe. So the schools are closed. However, there is one part of the equation that the school officials may have gotten right.
With the issues in Newtown, CT and all the other incidents of violence around the country the past several weeks, school authorities didn’t want to take any chances with some nut job who may choose the 21st for his/her own 15 minutes of fame. When I look at it this way, it makes much more sense to me.
But… and it’s a huge but, nobody can predict the end of the world. God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, is the only one who knows the hour and day that the Rapture or the second coming of Christ will occur. Jesus Himself tells us that he doesn’t even know when this will happen. In the Gospel of Mark, chapter 13:31-33, Jesus Himself tells us, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert ! You do not know when that time will come.”
So much for predictions about the end of the world. Anyway, many of the signs that are to come before the endtimes have not yet occurred. So my money is on God and that He will continue to reign over the earth until He decides it is time for eternity to begin with His Son on the throne.
My encouragement this evening is that He is in control of the earth and everything else. So I wouldn’t worry too much about the Mayan thing. My prayer is that you will put your trust in God to see you through whatever plans He has for us, or for you. No matter what happens on earth, if you believe in His Son, you have nothing to worry about. Your life will never end; and that’s a promise.
Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…