End of the World

Anytime a person with an interest in latter-day events makes headlines I can always plan on hearing the phrase “End of the World” at some point in the dialogue. It is always spoken in mysterious overtones that generate emotions of skepticism and doubt in the person or group’s sanity. The cultish music playing subtly in the background also adds a nice touch.

Whether the person is guilty of any crime or accusation made against them or not, there is always a side effect of this public discourse that is very unfortunate – Any truth mentioned of the very scriptural end time events is put in a negative light and completely disregarded, as the masses unknowingly and collectively throw the baby out with the bathwater.

While a few people do become eccentric in their preparation efforts or doctrinal beliefs, unfortunately they end up making the good honest people who are simply trying to be prepared for end time events become known as Doomsday Preppers and look like the ‘Dodo birds’ on the animated film, Ice Age. I wonder if there was an agenda behind that name choice.

End time doctrines are important and are worth researching and understanding. Don’t fall prey to the media’s efforts to intellectually disarm you as these politically charged events come about. Don’t close yourself off to the plain and simple doctrines of end times just because someone or a news agency makes it look crazy.  

One thing that could help in the public understanding on the subject is to learn what is really meant by the word “end” in the phrase end of the world. Speaking of the end times, Isaiah made a reference to a physical change of the earth when he said:

For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. – Isaiah 65:17 [i]

That verse and others make it clear that the world will have an end, but that end really depicts a new and better world that replaces the old one. In other words, the earth will become paradisiacal as the Latter-day Saint article of Faith says:

“We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.” – Article # 10

This renewal of the earth appears to be necessary to welcome the second return of Jesus Christ to the earth when He will reign as King of Kings (Revelation 17:14). Put another way, the earth which is now Telestial in its relative cosmic dimness will increase in light and glory as it becomes Terrestrial prior to His return.

End of the world talk is always mentioned in a negative light. Should it be any surprise that American and religious pop culture have it completely backwards, and it is actually a positive event? In its true doctrinal context, none of this end of the world discussion sounds unpleasant at all. So why this tendency to always view it as a negative event? (As a side note, there are many secular groups who know this event as the Ascension, a Solar Flair or period of heightened solar energy, or the Harvest. As far as I can discern its all one and the same.

Have you truly considered your own degree of understanding of the phrase, “end of the world”? In one sense, ‘world’ can be used to describe changes that will occur with the physical earth. Most people probably think of this context and could also be thinking of the scriptural descriptions of fire consuming the earth^[ii]. Matthew records the end of the world event linked to fire this way:

“The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just.” – Matthew 13:39-40, 49

This verse refers to the world in the context of humanity. Isaiah made at least five scriptural metaphoric descriptions of the huge decrease of population that will take place in end times[iii]. While the phrase end of the world certainly can refer to both the earth and humanity, it should really be understood that neither case is truly an end. In other words, there will always be a planet, and there will always be people.

I love it when truth comes from unexpected places. I think the American rock band, R.E.M got it right when they sang “It’s the End of the World as We Know it”? Honestly, the additional phrase “as we know it” is very in line with the scriptures provided above, each of which indicate a positive end, and new beginning.

Confusion happens when the media and religious pop-culture link the truly positive “End of the World” event with the events just preceding them known scripturally as The Tribulations[iv]. I have firmly concluded in my years of studying this topic, it is one of the largest taboo topics in our culture. I get it. It’s uncomfortable. But it doesn’t change the fact they are a prophesied event, and they are on our doorstep.

I’ve written[v] and spoken[vi] publicly with Julie Rowe about that turbulent time period at length and won’t go into details here, but should quickly mention that most biblical scholars agree the tribulation time period will last about seven years, and the second Coming of Christ will occur at some unknown time period following it. Thus, “…of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matthew 24:36). And while no one knows the time of His return, we are scripturally justified in knowing the season of that grand event (Luke 21:29-33), which grand indicator is the Tribulations. This is important to note, because people often misapply these verses to the wrong scriptural event!

Incidentally, I know many who think we could possibly be in the Tribulations now, which is possible, but I’m not convinced. I like to think of it like fishing. Sometimes you think there could possibly be a fish on the line, and it ends up being seaweed, but when that fish really is on the line, you know it without a doubt. When we are amid the Tribulations, there will be no mistaking it.

I squirm anytime I hear someone say the Lord is returning at a particular date, but especially when that date is within the next seven years. I do not think the Tribulations have begun yet, but I do feel they are either just beginning or will very soon. Therefore, we won’t see the great return of the Savior for at least another seven years, and very likely much longer – although there is evidence to show that He will show Himself to some small groups and individuals before that time.

I restate this point for emphasis, and ask my reader to please come to this understanding on their own, perhaps by reviewing some of the materials cited here, that the End of the World, and The Tribulations are two separate events, and the seven years of tribulations absolutely come first.

Next time you hear someone refer to the End of the World, you can do one of three things: 1) Call them an ignoramus and punch them in the face [while this could possibly provide temporary satisfaction, it is not advised] 2) Bust out the scriptures and teach them the true doctrines of the end times or 3) refer them to this essay and save yourself from confrontation. A fourth possibility could be to hold your thumb microphone to your mouth and sing a little R.E.M.

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[i] See also Revelation 21:1-27

[ii] 2 Peter 3:10; Luke 12:49;

[iii] See Isaiah 7:20-22, Isaiah 10: 18-19; Isaiah 13: 12-13; Isaiah 24: 6; Isaiah 24:13-14

[iv] “The Days of Tribulation” (Matthew 24:29; Doctrine and Covenants 29:8); “Days of Sorrow” (Doctrine and Covenants 136:35); “Abomination of Desolation”(Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11:31; Daniel 12:11; Mark 13:14; Doctrine and Covenants 84:117), “Great and Terrible Day of the Lord” (Joel 2:31; Malachi 4:5), “Day of the Lord”(Zephaniah 1:14; Amos 5:18; Jeremiah 46:10; Doctrine and Covenants 87:8; Joel 1:15); “The Time of the Heathen” (Ezekiel 30:3); “Day of the Lord’s Anger”(Zephaniah 2:3)

[v] https://doctrinalessays.com/face-the-days-of-tribulation-with-confidence

[vi] The Julie Rowe Show, YouTube. Episodes “32 – Tribulations 101” and “33 – Tribulations 102”. Accessed here: https://youtu.be/Wo2JeiTHxzM