We are in the hands of Jesus

Every few years, a rumor goes around that the date has been set for the end of the world. I hear that it’s this week, September 23-24, 2025. So far, all of these predictions have proven to be wrong, but there is always a chance that this will be the time.

As an educated, called, and ordained pastor of the church of Christ, let me please offer you some advice: Do Not Panic.

If it is the end of the world, we are in the hands of Jesus. If it is not the end of the world, we are in the hands of Jesus.

This is the same Jesus through whom this whole world was created. This is the same Jesus who became truly human so that he could redeem us when we were helpless and hopeless. This is the same Jesus who died and was raised from the dead so that we can be with God forever. If this God is in charge of our day, then whatever that day holds will be all right in the end. There may be challenges, but the story isn’t over until Jesus has conquered them all.

Lutherans do not believe that God’s faithful will be gathered up from the Earth, as some imagine, in the Rapture. That idea has come into being in the last 200 years, and is not in the Bible. The word does not appear in the book of Revelation. Also, the verse in First Thessalonians does not translate as simply as some believe. You do not need to worry about being left behind. God gathers up lost sheep, after all.

Lutherans traditionally have not focused on building a timeline for the end of time. That is, as some say, above our pay grade. Even Jesus does not know the time or the hour, so we have not worried much about calculating it ourselves. What we talk about instead is taking care of our neighbors while we have the chance, knowing that we will not be here forever.

Because God has handled salvation for us, we do not need to live in guilt or fear. We know that our eternal home is determined by the judge who loved us enough to die for us. That is taken care of. Now, we get to live lives that share God’s love with people around us.

And when God decides to wrap up history one of these days, that will be fine, too. We know who’s in charge. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords will sit on the throne. We are not worthy to untie his sandals, but he has made us his own people anyway. Hallelujah.