What is a Christian response to all the doomsday predictions?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Blood moons, Mayan calendars, the doomsday clock, nuclear war, polar ice caps melting, and a myriad of other scenarios put some Christians on alert. Christians should not be consumed by fear or speculation about doomsday predictions, but we should focus on living with purpose and faith. While the Bible affirms the world will end, and Jesus will return, no one knows when that will happen. Instead of worrying about predictions, believers should share the gospel, care for others, and trust in God's control over the future (Matthew 28:18–20; James 1:27). We are called to live wisely, making the best use of our time, living for the Lord, and sharing His salvation with others (Ephesians 5:15–17). Regardless of when the end comes, our eternity is secure in Christ, and we should live intentionally, focused on reflecting God to a world that needs to know Him and be saved by Him.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• How Christians should respond to doomsday predictions is not recorded in the Old Testament.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Since the beginning of Christianity, people have wondered if they are living in the end times. Indeed, ever since He ascended to heaven, Jesus's return has been imminent. It's a fact that this world will come to an end (2 Peter 3:10), and Jesus will return (Revelation 19:11–13) when He is appointed to return (1 Corinthians 15:51–52).
• Christians should heed Jesus's instruction in Matthew 28:18–20 and elsewhere to tell others about His salvation, to care for the less fortunate (James 1:27), and to trust in Him (Matthew 6:25–34).
• We can see and understand the signs of the times (Matthew 16:3), but even Jesus didn't know when the end times would occur (Matthew 24:36). Our energies should be spent elsewhere, rather than cogitating on predictions and doomsday excitement. And certainly, if we are in Christ, we need not be afraid (1 Peter 5:6–11).
• None of us knows what tomorrow holds (James 4:13–15). Instead of speculating on or fearing doomsday predictions, we should live our lives with purpose, living for the Lord and helping others to know and respond to His salvation: "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is" (Ephesians 5:15–17).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

In light of all the doomsday predictions, Christians are called to focus not on fear or speculation about when the end will come, but on living with purpose, faith, and readiness. The Bible encourages us to live wisely, making the most of the time we have (Ephesians 5:15–17), not driven by fear or anxiety, but by the assurance that God is in control. We can find peace knowing that God has a plan for the future and that our eternity is secure in Christ. Instead of dwelling on predictions that may or may not come to pass, we should use our time to love and serve others, share the gospel, and trust God with whatever the future holds. The certainty of the end of days coming, whether it is near or far, calls us to live intentionally, sharing Christ's love and salvation with those around us before it’s too late.

UNDERSTAND

• The world will end, but no one knows when, so we should not worry about doomsday predictions.
• Christians should live by faith, not fear.
• Instead of worrying about the future, believers are called to trust in God's control and timing.

REFLECT

• How does knowing that no one can predict the end of the world affect how you live each day?
• How do you struggle with fear or anxiety about the future, and how can you trust God more in those areas?
• How can you focus on living with faith, purpose, and readiness instead of being distracted by speculation?

ENGAGE

• Why are some Christians drawn to doomsday predictions despite Jesus’s warning that no one knows the time?
• How can we encourage believers to focus on living for God and sharing the gospel, aware of the end times, but not worrying about the world's end?
• What does it look like for us to live wisely and make the best use of our time in light of Christ’s return?