"Let us also go, that we may die with him" - Worry about the End of the World

Mt. Fuji from around Tokyo

Worry about the End of the World

One of the most important parts of the Bible is as follows:

M'r:13:2: And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
M'r:13:3: And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
M'r:13:4: Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
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M'r:13:19: For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
M'r:13:20: And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
M'r:13:21: And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:
M'r:13:22: For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

So, Christ Jesus clearly predicted that a great tragedy would come to this world and there would be great confusions and turmoils.

Even without this prediction, it is natural to consider that any civilization would come to its end someday.  The civilization that has continued for 2000 years since the era of the Roman Empire, through some twists and turns, should also end some day.

Nonetheless, these said passages are grave, since they include the expression "such as was not from the beginning of the creation."  And the world has not yet experienced a tragedy of this scale, which means that the mankind is still destined to face a great tragedy that has not occurred since the start of the human civilization.

Some people had thought that it should come around the beginning of 2000 or 2001, although the 21st century started without a fatal crisis on the mankind.  And, people in the world have gradually started to forget about this prediction by Christ Jesus.  They may think that "It may come, but in the 22nd century or 99th century, who can know it?"

But who has confidence that our civilization can continue through the 22nd century or 99th century?  Yet, who would mind if the end of the world should come after his or her death?

Put plainly, this issue of the end of the world or civilization can be seriously treated only by those with faith in the God and Christ Jesus.  Ordinary people (especially rich people) who earn money and enjoy their lives fully drinking and eating would not mind if anything happens to the world after their death.  For them, if the human civilization collapses after their death, it means nothing.  But people with faith cannot bear the idea that they are part of failed civilization doomed to collapse someday.  And if they are members of such a civilization, how can they be loved by the God?  So, it is a grave issue for believers.

To worry about the end of the world must be a proof that he or she has faith.
 

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Joh:11:14: Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
Joh:11:15: And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
Joh:11:16: Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
Joh:11:17: Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.