The End of the World

(Mat 16:24-28) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. -25. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. -26. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? -27. For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. -28. Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

(2 Pet 3) This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: -2. That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: -3. Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, -4. And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. -5. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: -6. Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: -7. But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. -8. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. -9. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. -10. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. -11. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, -12. Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? -13. Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. -14. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. -15. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; -16. As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. -17. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. -18. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

What do you expect to happen to this world? To you after this life? What does the Bible tell us about the next life? There are two places; heaven or hell. You shall be resurrected either to life or to damnation depending on your works in this life. Not on your beliefs, your memberships, your influence, your family ties, your popularity, .. but on your works. (2 Cor 5:1-11) For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. -2. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: -3. If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. -4. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. -5. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. -6. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: -7. (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) -8. We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. -9. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. -10. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. -11. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. The Bible here clearly tells us that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ and there we are going to receive according to what we have done while living in this earthly body.

Every one will come face to face with God. (Isa 45:23) I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. (Rom 14:11) For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. Since this is an event you will not be able to escape, it makes sense to prepare for it. While in this life you have opportunity to have your case heard now: (1 Tim 5:24-25) Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. -25. Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

Yes! The sins of those that have received salvation have been opened beforehand and gone already to the judgement to be forgiven and erased by the blood of Jesus, our Lord. Praise God! We don't have to face those sins in eternity, they have gone on beforehand. But, to every one that fails to take advantage of the offer of salvation, your sins will follow you to judgement. Also the good works of the Saints of God are manifest ahead of time and we begin to receive our rewards while living in this life.

The influence of your life goes on many years after your death and you also will be held accountable for whether that influence is for good or for evil. (Rev 14:13) And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. I think that you would desire for good works to follow you rather than for evil works to follow you. Therefore, it is all the more important that you present your case to the Lord now while you have opportunity to be forgiven of sins and to be empowered with the Holy Spirit of God to live the godly, holy life that is an influence for good to all that know you.

There will be no opportunity for change when you leave this life. Your judgement will be sealed: (Rev 22:11-12) He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. -12. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. When you are called forth out of the grave in that great day, what will be your reward? (John 5:28-29) Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, -29. And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

In our text, Peter told us that a final day is coming in the which all things of this earth will be dissolved and that we will go into eternity to face God. Knowing this he asks the question: What manner persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness? Indeed this is a very good question and one that every man, woman, boy, and girl should answer. It is certain. It will come to pass. There is no way to circumvent it. There is no escape from it. Therefore, it is wise to choose to live a holy, godly life in this present world. Thank God for His son, Jesus, that has made it possible to have our sins forgiven now and enjoy the power of the Holy Spirit to live according to the commandments of God.

When will this final day come? It seems that many would like to know the answer for various reasons. The righteous would like to know so they would know how much time they have to get their lost families and friends saved. The unrighteousness would like to know how long they can put off salvation. Well, you don't know, I don't know, if fact no one knows, and no one will know. Life of all things is in the hands of the Father and He alone controls death. (Mat 24:3-15) And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? (the disciples have asked Jesus three questions; now Jesus, begins to answer them answering the last question first: What shall be the sign of the end of the world?) -4. And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. -5. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. -6. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. -7. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. -8. All these are the beginning of sorrows. -9. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. -10. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. -11. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. -12. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. -13. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. -14. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. Indeed all of these things have come to pass and so the final end could come at any time. No one knows just when it will happen or just how it will happen, but it is going to happen. Maybe it will be something like this:

July 4th, the clock radio came on with the morning news and weather. The usual reports of war, murder, rape, robbery, and it looks as though we are in for another scorcher - the last few days have broken all records - the heat is becoming a matter of concern - it is wide spread - weather men are baffled, scientists are gathering in meetings all over the nation trying to offer some explanation for the unusual phenomena. The temperature is 96 degrees Fahrenheit already and it is only 6:05 A.M. Lots of parades and fireworks have been scheduled for today - the nation is set for the annual 4th of July celebrations, if only the heat .... 7 A.M. news - Heat is unbearable - New York City cancels all outside activity, people are advised to stay at home. 7:10 news flash - Detroit is without electricity - excessive use of water & electric has caused massive power failure. The mayor is flying to D. C. for Federal Aid. 7:20 A.M. News bulletins are coming one right after the other, electricity failures are occurring all over the country, millions are without water and air conditioning. Telephone lines are either jammed or burnt out from the over loads. The temperature is now 120 and still climbing. Civil defense shelters are opening - every one is asked to stay home and listen to the radio and TV - do not - do not try to go anywhere - highways are choked with stalled vehicles - the pavement is scorching. Fires are beginning to break out from spontaneous combustion, asphalt roads are smoking form the heat. Strange things are reported happening in space - stars are going haywire - comets are springing up everywhere - astronomers report it as weird. Some are saying the world is coming to an end - everyone is advised to pray. Millions are reported praying and trying to contact ministers and godly persons - repeated again and again stay at home - don't try to go anywhere. The day wears on, the heat is worse and worse, people cling by their radios and tvs. The radios and tvs begin going dead - the heat is melting the wires and electronic equipment is burning up - one by one the stations go silent. Evening comes - the sun sets - but the sky is filled with columns of smoke and fire - the sky is now a constant glow and it does not get dark. The scenes of crying, wailing, and praying are beyond comprehension. A lukewarm, half-hearted man who lived a few doors down from the preacher's house went to seek the preacher to see if he could help him to repent - no answer - car is there - went in - door was open - table was set - the house is empty - eerie feeling - began to call: PREACHER! PREACHER! The heavens are now on fire - brighter than day - terrific noises of explosions on earth and in the heavens are almost constant. A wicked and ungodly husband had been hiding in the basement, he could stand it no longer, he ran up the stairs and into the kitchen to find his sainted wife - gone - house empty - where is she - eerie - empty, lonely feeling, he begins to call and to wail RUTH - RUTH! Suddenly a great flash of light, a tremendous roar, in the Heaven's a magnificent sight - Christ appears, millions rise to meet Him - The preacher, the saintly wife, sisters, husbands, wives, children, friends, parents - In the streets, crying, wailing, praying - an incomprehensible scene - a few seconds and he is gone - millions are left - TIME HAS ENDED AND ETERNITY HAS BEGUN - Where are you?