What Does The Bible Say About Armageddon And The End Of The World?

With all the recent wars, famines, hurricanes, and now the COVID-19 pandemic, people are asking themselves if the end of the world is coming soon. Jesus told us in Matthew 24:36 that no one except God Almighty knows the last day or hour.

Nevertheless, we should be diligent to watch for the signs. In this article, I have provided several passages of Scripture that discuss eschatology, or the study of the end times. Let’s begin!

“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.” -2 Timothy 3:1-5

The Bible warns us that people at the end of the age will be self-focused and unholy. They will be reckless. They will glorify their lust and pride instead of the God of righteousness.

Today’s cultural landscape makes it clear that individualism, consumerism, and self-focus dominate the human heart.

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Even some will have an appearance of godliness, but deny its power. We see this in certain evangelical camps who believe that God no longer works miracles.

These polished theologians will argue that followers of Christ no longer speak in tongues, prophecy, or heal. The term is called cessationism. But of course, the Bible teaches that God never “ceases” to work miracles.

“As Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” -Matthew 24:3-5

Throughout the centuries, many people have claimed to be the messiah or “Christ.” For instance, Jose Miranda (1946-2013) founded Growing in Grace in Miami, Florida. He claimed that he was the incarnation of God. Tony Quinn, an Irish businessman, is another false messiah (1944-) who claims to be Jesus Christ.

This should not surprise us. The Bible says that people will try to lead us astray by claiming to be the Christ. What we must do is put our faith, trust, and hope in what Scripture teaches us.

The last part of this paragraph is troubling. Rumors of wars, division among nations, famines, and earthquakes will take place in various places. Since the 20th century, the world has seen WWI, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, and the Afghanistan / Iraq War. Nations are rising against nations. Kingdoms are fighting against kingdoms.

Jesus also warns us that earthquakes will be a sign of his coming. The National Earthquake Information Center now locates about 20,000 earthquakes each year, or approximately 55 per day. The year with the most earthquakes happened in 2010, with 24 that were equal to or greater than 7.0. This is evidence that the Lord Jesus Christ is coming soon.

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.” – 2 Peter 3:10

According to the Bible, Armageddon will happen swiftly and abruptly. The Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

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The heavens will pass away with a roar. The planets, solar system, galaxies, and entire universe will be burned up and dissolved. God will create a new heaven and a new earth. All things visible will completely change. We can speculate all we want about how God will come back, but the key issue is to be prepared.

Imagine if your house was all dirty, the laundry was still setting on the dryer, and the dishes weren’t even washed. Would you want your friends to come over and see your mess? Of course not.

The same is true with God. He is coming swiftly. We should always be prepared for His return. This means repenting of sin, maintaining fellowship with God’s church, praying, reconciling with others, and obeying God’s Word.

“At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” – Daniel 12:1-13

The bad news is that the end of the world will not be a time of peace. In fact, the greatest trouble the world has ever seen will happen during Armageddon. Nevertheless, the good news is that God will deliver us from evil. Therefore, we should NOT be fearful or worried, but trust that our names are written in the book of life.

On that day, the Bible says some will awake to everlasting life and others to everlasting contempt and shame. Anyone whose names are written in the book of life will shine like stars forever and ever. But whoever is not found in God’s book will be thrown into the lake of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of the teeth.

“Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all— so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed.” – Luke 17:26-30

Most of us are familiar with the story of Noah. He built a large ark to save himself, his family, and the animals of the earth from a worldwide flood. God gave him ample time to build the ark and the exact instructions to be successful.

While Noah was building, many people scoffed at Noah, calling him crazy and delusional. Ancient civilization was eating, drinking, marrying, and indulging in their own sins until the day when the floods came and destroyed them all.

The same is true at the end of the age. People will be ignoring the signs of God. They will be scoffing at believers who tell them to repent and trust in Jesus. Skeptics will argue that they have never seen such a catastrophe before, but surely while this is being said, destruction will come upon the earth.

In conclusion, there are many references in Scripture that teach about eschatology. I would encourage everyone to be diligent and prepared for God’s second coming because all of us will have to give an account before the Creator of this universe.

Judgment Day is an intimidating fact, but when you put your trust in Jesus, your fears will vanish. He died on the cross for your sins and loves you abundantly.

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The Bible says He who knew no sin became sin for us so we might receive the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21). He is your atonement. The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29).

When you stand before God on judgment day, your righteousness will be found in Him. Jesus is your Advocate, Savior, and Shield on that glorious day. Do you believe this? I hope so. Let’s pray.

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for creating this world. You tell us that all things work together for good to those who are called according to your purposes. Help us to trust in this truth as we think about the dreadful truth of Armageddon and the Second coming of Christ. Comfort us by your Holy Spirit. Equip us to be bold and confident during the future tribulations that will impact this world. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.