... with a whimper

Many years ago I saw cartoon that picture two men with long hair and beards standing together, each carrying a sign that read TOMORROW THE WORLD ENDS.  One man was saying to the other, "Same time, same place tomorrow – if there is a tomorrow."


There a lot of people who have gotten it into their heads that something catastrophic will happen tomorrow. I do not know what they know that I don't know: I do know that if one believes the New Testament no one knows when the world will end.

Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, ‘The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, “Look, here it is!” or “There it is!” For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among* you.’ ~ Luke 17.20-21

When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Beware that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, “I am the Messiah!”* and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumours 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: all this is but the beginning of the birth pangs. ~ Matt. 23.3-8

‘But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son,* but only the Father. 3For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 3For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, 3and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. ~ Matt. 24.36-39

If those Scriptures do not convince you that the world will not again tomorrow, that no one – not even Jesus – knows when the world will in, may I suggest that you click over to this article for further confirmation: A Guarantee: The World Will Not End On Friday.

Many many years ago I was in high school each student in my senior English class was required to read a poem allowed. I selected The Hollow Men by T.S. Eliot:

May I suggest that, if the world does end on 21 December, 2012, (which I doubt) it will do so in the manner T.S.Eliot suggested: not with a bang, but a whimper.