how does the world end?

I deeply regret when I see persons so taken up with prophecy that they forget evangelism. Trumpets and vials must not displace the gospel and its invitations. —Charles Spurgeon.

When I was in junior high, I remember coming home to an empty house, not knowing where my parents or sisters were, and wondering if the rapture had occurred and I had been left behind. This was long before the series of novels by the same name.

There was a lot of speculation about the return of Christ, so much so that I’m sure many of the preachers from my past are confused about why we are all still here.

I’ve always thought this obsession with when Christ would return was unwise, since Jesus clearly said we couldn’t know the answer (Matthew 24:36).

That doesn’t mean the question “how does the world end?” isn’t important, or that the Scripture doesn’t give us some insight. I just don’t think it’s as important as we often imagine.

Having said that, I have an opinion. I won’t mind if I’m wrong about the details.

First, and actually very important, I believe Jesus is coming back. He said so. He also said certiain things will happen before he did. And some of these things are happening (Matthew 24).

I also believe He keeps his promises, including those he made to Israel. They have been the special object of His grace, as I have been. They get a restoration beyond any we have yet imagined, one that connects them to their true Messiah. This is rooted in God’s faithfulness, not theirs, just as my security is rooted in His work, not mine.

This makes me premillennial. A real kingdom. A real time. It hasn’t happened yet.

Beyond that I lack much interest or motivation. Technically I believe in a pre-tribulation rapture. Practically I’m not much worked up about it.

I’m confident hard times are coming, and I believe the church will be spared all or most of the worst (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). God spared Lot. He spared Noah. I’m happy to think he will spare me too.

But at different times and for different reasons he didn’t spare the prophets or his own people (Hebrews 11), and I wouldn’t want to put Him in a box of my own making. There are reasonable arguments either way.

Like Jesus said, it’s His call.

In the meantime I won’t worry too much about whether the horses in Revelation are literal or figurative, biological or mechanical.

Jesus gets a white one, I’m sure of that (Revelation 19:11).

It will be real enough.