Of course, our intelligent mind tells us that this world, too, like our mortal bodies, is passing away. We have reflected on this topic in the beginning of this month. However, a quick survey of the most popular theme that has been given media attention for the last two or so years is the question on: When will the world really end?
One World with So Many Endings?
Did you know? The earliest prediction of the end of the world at least after the Resurrection of Christ (33 A.D.) was in 66-70AD by Simon bar Giora, an Essene sect member who saw the Jewish revolt vs. the Romans as the end-time battle before the arrival of the Messiah. Of course, it’s 2,015 years after that first prediction, the Jews are still waiting for their Messiah. Now, for the mean time, in between 70-2015 A.D., there had been 155 dates predicted as the end of the world by 169 false prophets each one having some committed followers and believers. The most prominent of these false predictions was from the ancient Mayan calendar predicting the Earth’s end on December 21, 2012 – made famous by a movie. But, did you know that the latest prediction was last October 7, 2015? This was made by Chris McCann of the eBible fellowship group. The date was chosen because it is 1600 days after Harold Camping’s (another false prophet) date of May 21, 2011. McCann said that there was “a strong likelihood that this will happen” and “an unlikely possibility that it will not.” Obviously a false one, since you are reading this. But there are more future predictions of the end of the world, the soonest will be in 2020 by the seer Jeane Dixon. Next in line will be in 2021 by F. Kenton Beshore who places the Second Coming of Jesus between 2018 and 2028 and the Rapture by 2021 at the latest. By the way, the prophesying passion is not exclusive to Christians. Various Muslim prophets predict 2120, 2129 & 2228 as ends of the world. These dates and data are from Wikipedia.
But it’s interesting to note that in the Library of Date Setters of The End of the World, an internet site, there are more than 200 predictions, of the actual years and days of the end of the world documented. And then, there is science prophesying too!
The Science Story
What does science tell us about December 21, 2012, for example, as the End of the World? Neil deGrasse Tyson, an astrophysicist, debunked this science fiction hype and says it’s Hollywood science.
Neil deGrasse Tyson says, “It turns out if you go to Dec. 21 and look at the star charts it’s true! The center of the galaxy, the sun & the earth, will come into perfect alignment. It will! It’s true. It’s true! What the site does not tell you is that happens every year on Dec. 21st. They left that out of the account! So, it’s a fun work of fiction. Earth will be here before, during and after 2012.” In fact, various scientists prophesy that the earth will still be around for the next 5 billion years.
There you have it. After hearing that view, though, I hope it does not encourage us to be lax and less mindful of the truth about earthly life, that is, that it is temporary. And we must always be ready.
Our Journey Story
On a happier and more spiritual perspective, let us reflect on our lives as we journey toward the end times.
We have spoken about our lunch boxes, we have referred to the contents of our backpacks. Let us now talk about our survival kit for the end times.
This is a kind of “object lesson” for all us so we can easily relate the spiritual lessons to real day-to-day present objects, and not to some ancient concepts or futuristic hypothetical situations.
What should be in our SURVIVAL KIT, our GRAB BAG, to face the real end times. Here are the Items we need:
1. TOOTHPICK. This is to remind you to pick out the good qualities in others. “Stop judging, that you may not be judged.” (Matt. 7:1)
2. RUBBER BAND. This is to remind you to be flexible. Things might not always go the way you want, but it will work out. We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
3. BAND AID. This strip is to remind you to heal hurt feelings, yours or someone else’s. Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. (Col. 3:12-14)
4. PENCIL. This is to remind you to list your blessings everyday. (Eph.1:3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.
5. ERASER.This is to remind you that everyone makes mistakes, and it’s okay to make mistakes. Also, to remind you to come to confessions, to receive God loving mercy.
6. CHEWING GUM.
This is to remind you to stick with God always, immediately and with joy and you can accomplish anything. (Phil 4:13) I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.
7. RING. This is to remind you that you are a Godly committed person! (Jn 3:16-17) For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.
8. GUMMY BEAR KISS CANDY. This is to remind you that everyone needs a kiss or a hug everyday. (1 John 4:7) Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.
9. TEA BAG. This is to remind you to relax daily and go over that list of blessings. (1 Thes 5:18) In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
10. MP3 PLAYER. Meditation and Prayer to the 3rinity. “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.” Ps 119:97
11. e-CHARGER. If you haven’t known yet: another Pinoy creativity! The Solar Rattan Day-Pack. It’s a solar powered indigenous rattan backpack, called “pasiking,” to charge your phones, ipad and other gadgets and light your path! The solar e-charger pack is hand made in the ancestral traditions of Barlig and Sagada, Coordilleras, Philippines.
Don’t forget!! Our e-Charger is the Eucharist! The Church draws the spiritual power needed to carry out her mission from the Eucharist. (cf 22, Ecclesia De Eucharistia, JPII)
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“But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” – Mt 13:32
Remember, let us keep our grab-bag survival kits ready as we journey to our end times. You’ll never know when the Big One would come!
Brosh Legaspi 
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