The End of the Age
Does life on earth go on and on-indefinitely? Will people continue to live a span of 75-90 years and then die? Do human activities on earth just continue without end? Or-is there something more?
Have you ever wondered about questions like these?
Jesus answered these questions in the final verses of Luke 21. The short answer to each of these questions and others like them is “no.” Jesus provided details in the verses of Luke 21.
This discussion started with the disciples innocent observation of the beauty of the temple. Jesus took the discussion quickly into serious territory:
“Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.” “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?” He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” Luke 21:5-9
There will be an end of the age. Life on earth will not go on indefinitely. Neither will the end of the age be the end all of life…the age of life on earth as history has recorded will end, but God’s plan holds life after this “earthly age” is completed. All time is on God’s clock.
The end of the age will come when Jesus returns to earth. Does that sound like crazy talk to you?
It may. Think of it-Someone named Jesus, a person many claim to be God, is reportedly going to come back to earth. From where? An unseen place they call heaven. And-No one has seen this Jesus in modern history either.
Yes…it could seem crazy.
It’s not.
Both of us should know. Reality is not only current life on earth. This is not all there is. Truth sets a human soul free. And-truth is-life as we know it today/now…is not all there is. We are wise to know that life on earth does not continue without an end point. Yet, there is no need for fear. Jesus is in control.
Jesus is real. He’s coming back to earth. His words confirm His return. We’ll read them in the coming verses found in Luke 21. For now- believe what Jesus said about the “end of the age”-
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Matthew 24:35
Should we throw up our hands in despair? Is wailing and mourning over the coming end of the earth the best we can hope for? How does a human like your or me prepare for the end of the age? The answer is uncomplicated and beautifully simple:
Believe in Jesus.
… “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Romans 10:9