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Is 2012 the End?

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Source: Dreamstime


The 2012 phenomenon has reached fever pitch. Alarm has spread like wildfire. Uncertainty, anxiety—and FEAR—have gripped many people. Literally, millions are panicking, wondering whether 2012 will be their last year. The end date is supposedly either December 21 or 23, 2012. Doomsday authors point to December 21, the winter solstice. But the Mayan calendar, on which the end-of-days theory is based, ends December 23.

Like the Y2K panic of 1999 about the year 2000, 2012 hysteria is all over the Internet—in endless books—and in a $200 million movie, filled with the usual sensational Hollywood graphics. And so-called prophecy experts are weighing in on the subject.

People of all ages are asking if cataclysmic events will occur in late 2012 and bring the end of the world. Some are deeply concerned—truly frightened!—that they will not live into their teen years or enter adulthood. They desperately want lives beyond 2012—but fear this will not happen.

Incredibly, some teenagers, and even younger children, have asked if they should end their own lives—and some mothers have expressed thoughts of killing their children—and then themselves—rather than enduring “Earth ending” events!

No one predicts exactly what will happen in 2012, but according to some, it will be “big!”—“Earth shattering!”—and “civilization ending!” There are concerns that the entire earth will be flooded, or burned up by solar flares. The North and South poles may suddenly reverse, wreaking untold havoc on electrical systems. Catastrophic earthquakes may rock the planet, destroying all buildings and opening huge holes in the earth’s crust. Chaos will reign. Mankind will come to thebrink of annihilation...and on and on go the theories.

Source of Belief

The Mayan “Long Count” calendar tracks “Great Cycles” of time, and is one of at least three calendars that the ancient Mayans used. It is important to note that one particular calendar indicates that December 23, 2012, is the end of the current cycle of time—which began August 13, 3114 BC on the Gregorian calendar. The Mayan calendar itself states nothing of the world coming to an end, or of any cataclysmic events occurring. It states only that the current time cycle will end.

Many of the fantastic stories and much of the hype come from various archaeological and astronomical speculation, as well as mythology and numerological interpretation. Predictions of impending doom and destruction are nowhere to be found in Mayan accounts or in the Long Count calendar itself. To the modern Mayans, including those who study the ancient calendar, 2012 is actually inconsequential.

If you were to travel to any of the many present day Mayan communities and ask about 2012, and the end of civilization, you would see looks of bewilderment. Modern Mayan sources explain that this calendar was never intended to suggest the world would end in 2012, or at any other time. They will also tell you that professing Christians have deliberately twisted their calendar to suit their own prophetic theories and timelines. Yet millions, with little or no understanding of the Mayan culture, attach civilization-ending significance to 2012. All but two ancient Mayan inscriptions are strictly historical. They make no prophetic declarations whatsoever. The two that supposedly do are unclear at best, and open to a wide array of speculation and interpretation.

Regardless of what the ancient Mayans actually predicted (the mere end of a time cycle!)—wild ideas about 2012 abound. The frenzy is worldwide and picking up steam, with no slowdown in sight. 2012 has also become big business, and many are cashing in on the uncertainty!

Will either the planet or civilization come to a violent end on December 21, 2012, as so many believe? Could the speculation still somehow be true? What does the Bible say? Does it in any way validate 2012 as the “end of all things”?

You will soon have no doubt of the correct answers. It is time to prove whether late December 2012 is the end.

Endless Speculation The idea of the end of the world has been a subject of great speculation, ridicule, general discussion, fascination and fancy for 2,000 years—ever since Jesus Christ announced He would return to Earth. With opinions everywhere, there has been an explosion of literature presenting popular scenarios, ideas, theories, suppositions and interpretations of what will occur just before Christ’s Return.

For Christians, the 2012 question begins with what Jesus said about His Return: “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man comes” (Matt. 25:13).

If people were reading even such basic verses, they would never worry about December 21 or 23, 2012 because no man knows the day of Christ’s Return. What a tragic commentary on the state of people who profess to be Christians—but cannot logically compute such rudimentary understanding. But then, most who profess to follow Christ study little or nothing of what He said.

Get this! Just this passage, and other similar ones, rule out this date—or any specific date—that might be suggested for Christ’s Return, or even for the end of all things.

Next read again Jesus’ Olivet prophecy: “The disciples came unto Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the world [age]?” (Matt. 24:3). We saw His long answer began with: “Take heed that no man deceive you” (Mt 24:4).

Jesus goes straight to the biggest problem that would exist at the end. There is an unending and growing number of deceivers at work today. Are their followers taking heed? Ask again: how many are doing their own research regarding men postulating prophetic scenarios, such as 2012? This is only one theory. There are many others, and more appearing all the time.

The 2012 Impossibility

Now let’s examine whether it is even possible—prophetically—for 2012 to be the end. Follow carefully. We have to establish the timing of certain events.

Many are familiar with the term “Tribulation” or “Great Tribulation.” The Bible speaks of this event as one of terrible trouble and indescribable horror. Jesus referred to this time as unparalleled in history: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matt. 24:21). The prophet Daniel also speaks of this period in Daniel 12:1. Jeremiah references it in a similar way in chapter 30, Jer 30:7.

The Bible reveals that a certain very specific amount of time must elapse between the start of the Great Tribulation and the Return of Jesus Christ—or “the end of the age.” So understand. If it can be proven that there are not enough years in God’s plainly revealed timeline for 2012 to be the end, then all the hysteria is for nothing!

Numerous passages explain that the Tribulation lasts 2½ years, followed by the year-long Day of the Lord. Together, these events last 3½ years, fulfilling 1,260 days before Christ’s Return.

Let’s understand the implications! If the Great Tribulation were to begin today, then there would not be enough time for December 21, 2012 to be the end. But it is also important to realize that certain biblically described preconditions that must lead up to the Tribulation are not, however close they now are, yet here.

So then, just the 1,260 days—again, were it to begin today—would greatly overshoot December 21, 2012. It is therefore ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE for this date to be the end of the world! All fear of it can disappear! None need be afraid of this fictional doomsday!

It is possible, however, that something of significance could happen in late 2012 because the demon world has a general idea of prophecy, and it does everything in its power to thwart God’s Master Purpose for mankind. It could pull some trick or stunt to confuse the gullible.

Will the World End?

But what about the Return of Christ? Will this usher in the end of planet Earth sometime after 2012? In other words, will all people alive today die in the fulfilment of end-time prophecies—as so many seem to almost assume? The answer is a resounding NO! And here is proof.

When Jesus described world conditions leading to His Return, He stated, “Except those days should be shortened [cut short], there should no flesh be saved” (Matt. 24:22).

Some religionists believe the phrase “no flesh be saved” refers to spiritual salvation. But that is not what Jesus is talking about. Rather, that unless God cuts the Tribulation short, no human beings—“no flesh”—would survive. The human race would become extinct if Christ did not return. The implication is that He will return before this happens. For those who believe God, this is further proof that 2012 could not possibly end human existence.

Other prophecy writers speak of the “end of the world”—that the earth itself will supposedly be destroyed. This could not be further from the truth. This idea often stems from a misunderstanding of Christ’s disciples asking Him for a sign of the “end of the world.” The Greek word translated world means “age.” The disciples were asking when the period of man’s rule would end—and the kingdom of God would be established. They well understood the many Old Testament prophecies that speak of the Messiah setting up the kingdom of God on Earth.

But beyond all the bad news is the very greatest possible good news! Yet few speak of this! Most talk only about disaster, calamity and the possible annihilation of all people. This is because they are largely unaware of the most positive elements of prophecy—and of the true gospel!

Unravelling the Myth

God’s servants understand the basic framework of His overall prophetic timetable and plan. They are not confused about “what happens next,” once certain prophecies begin to take place. Many prophecies involve a tremendous amount of understanding that God makes available, and with all necessary details. They understand exactly what lies ahead for all mankind, and for themselves—if they are faithful. Those of Christ’s one Church—the one He promised to build (Matt. 16:18) almost 2,000 years ago—have heeded the Bible’s many warnings about what lies ahead.

December 21, 2012, is NOT the end! Do not fear this date! Human beings will never be wiped out. All the hysteria is for NOTHING! In fact, at a certain point this Personal will be available after2012 has come and gone!

Countless verses could have been cited to disprove the 2012 deception. Scripture makes plain that 2012 does not mark the “end of the world,” and that such ideas are preposterous to the point of almost humorous—were it not for the fear and confusion they spawn.

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