Practically since the beginning of time, man has in some form or fashion been involved in trying to predict the end of time. Some have acted out of ego. Others have acted out of want for financial gain. A few have likely acted out of heartfelt sincerity. But regardless of the intention on all hands the act has been found fruitless because the simple fact remains that man cannot know in advance when the end will be. Jesus declared that “of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matthew 24:36). Still, though, practically every year someone steps forward claiming the ability to know when the end shall be based on evidentiary signs. And so they write their books and film their movies, attracting both fame and fortune; but all the while misleading gullible souls who know no better. Such arrogance and deceit should be condemned by all who accept the statements of the Bible at face-value.
In addition, though, to those who have tried to predict the end are those who have misunderstood past events and mistaken them for having been the end. And while such sounds ridiculous considering our continued presence and the obvious absence of any concept of reward or torment as of yet, such thoughts have a strong footing in the minds of many. The Bible, though, does give some evidence of the end, allowing us to identify that day with a surety.
At the end there will be a reappearance. Shortly before His death, to the apostles who were quaking in prospect of living and working without their beloved Master, Jesus made the promise, “I will come again” (John 14:3). What Jesus does not promise is His coming will be in like fashion to His first. In fact, expounding that point, the Hebrews writer stated that “we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10). The reason for that statement is two-fold. (1) Jesus’ death was sufficient for all people for all time, and (2) Jesus will not be coming a second time in the flesh to offer another sacrifice. In fact, the Bible does not even state that Jesus will set foot on earth again. What is stated is that Christ will, on that last day, appear in the clouds with his holy angels (Colossians 3:4; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 9:28). And at the time of His appearing He will not come to gather mankind unto Him, but He will call for them to meet Him in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17). For a surety there will be a reappearance of Jesus Christ, providing for us the evidence that indeed the end is here.
At the end there will be a resurrection. Multiple groups of people in the early days of Christianity had serious issues with this. The New Testament indicates that both the churches at Corinth and at Thessalonica had their respective questions as to whether or not it would occur and what it would entail. But on all accounts, the Bible clearly reveals the reality of the bodily resurrection of every single human being when that last day comes. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul defended the coming resurrection by making the factual claim that because Christ came out of the grave, so shall we (I Corinthians 15:12ff). To the Thessalonians, Paul wrote to comfort them in the fact that all of the dead shall rise when Christ returns and provides an abundance of evidence as to the evidence that will accompany that day:
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
The last day will be very evident to us because on that day there will be a resurrection, proving to us its reality.
At the end there will be a reckoning. Accountability is one of the most politically incorrect subjects that could be addressed in any forum. However, it is a fundamental principle of Christianity throughout life and especially as it pertains to death and the last day. The warning is constantly provided in scripture that we will be judged and that our lives will be revealed with intense scrutiny as to the direction we allowed them to be directed (Acts 17:30-31; Romans 14:10-12; 2 Thessalonians 2:12; 2 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 9:27; 13:4; 1 Peter 4:17). In fact, the judgment will be so complete that Solomon, 3,000 years ago, warned that “God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14). Yes, there will be a reckoning to which we will be subject, prepared or not. And truly, by that reckoning will we know it is indeed the end.
Does the Bible provide evidentiary signs to identify the last day? It does not provide prophetic signs to allow us to foreknow exactly what day it will be, but it does evidence of the events that will transpire. The only problem that remains is that by then, for the vast majority of the world, it will be too late for many will be unprepared. The only option that remains is to prepare every day as though it were the last day, “looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).