JUL 1

2 Peter 3:1-14
Memorise 2 Timothy 3:1-5
“Be not ignorant of this one thing…”

IS THE WORLD REALLY ENDING?

The end of the world is a topic that has been the subject of much speculation. In church, we are constantly warned that we are living in the last of the last days. Yet we don’t actually seem to see much difference in our everyday lives; everything seems to go on as usual. Environmental activists fight to ‘save the planet’ as if it is going to be our permanent home. In fact, even amongst Christians, few think much about the last days. How do we know that the last days are indeed upon us?

In today’s reading, we see Apostle Peter speaking of “the last days”. Through the leading of the Holy Spirit, he had prophesied that there would be scoffers who would scorn at the very idea of the end of the world. They would say that all things will continue on as they have been doing so since the beginning, i.e. that life in this world will go on and on with no ending. But we as believers are commanded to not be ignorant of this truth that has been so clearly taught in God’s Word. Without a doubt, “the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night” (vs 10). Suddenly but surely, it will come upon us. Apostle Paul, too, spoke of the “perilous times” which would come in the last days. Indeed, we see countless examples of the people and wickedness described in 2 Timothy 3:2-5 around us today.

People today are being deceived to believe that though the world has a beginning, it has no ending. This is a lie of the devil. The world has a beginning, and it will end one day. God, in the beginning, created the world and declared that it was very good. However it was Man that rebelled against God and made it bad. And so, this world is not getting better and better, but from bad to worse. It is becoming increasingly wicked. It will have an end. God will end it when He comes to judge this wicked world.

Dear teen, do you indeed believe that we are already living in the last of the last days? As we study this series on the end times, we will be learning more about the signs of the times, as well as the various events that will be taking place. But the most important which you have to ask yourself is: Are you ready?

Thought: Am I ready for the end of the world?
Prayer: Lord, save me from this wicked world.