Kraig Krempa

Whenever there are apocalyptic expectations combined with specific dates for the Lord’s return, it’s never a good combination. Jesus told us very plainly that we will not know the day or the hour, but rather, we should be ready at all times (see Matt 24:36-44).

The latest apocalyptic craze is based on the Mayan calendar (pictured above) which “ends” on December 21, 2012. In actuality, the Mayan calendar is cyclical and is founded upon an impressive knowledge of astrological orbits. Thus, the Mayans predicted a new era at the end of the current astrological cycle — not the end of the world.

Sandra Noble, executive director of the Mesoamerican research organization FAMSI, notes that “for the ancient Maya, it was a huge celebration to make it to the end of a whole cycle.” She considers the portrayal of December 2012 as a doomsday or cosmic-shift event to be “a complete fabrication and a chance for a lot of people to cash in.” The 2009 science fiction apocalyptic disaster film 2012 is based on this belief.

I place the current 2012 predictions in the same category as the Y2K debacle, Nostradamus nonsense, and 88 Reasons Why The Rapture Will Be in 1988 foolishness.

Personally, I am entertained by these things and I’ll probably watch the movie — but I am not the least bit concerned about any doomsday scenario. In the words of the great theologians, R.E.M., “It’s the end of the world as we know it … and I feel fine!”

Keep these things in mind:

1. The end of the world will definitely come — some day.
2. Nobody knows when that day will be.
3. Life will continue “as usual” until the day of Christ’s return.
4. Followers of Christ have NOTHING TO FEAR.
5. Live every day as if the return of Christ was imminent (um…because it is).
6. The End is actually just the Beginning (Rev 21:1-7; Rev 22:1-5).
7. In the meantime, relax … God has everything under control.