There are several billboards around Columbia predicting judgment day on May 21^st . . . wouldn’t you know it, the day when I was starting a family vacation for a week.  I’m sure many people wish it could be on April 15^th so they don’t have to worry about their taxes . . . come to think of it for some people April 15^th is judgment day with the taxes they have to pay.

Unfortunately those billboards aren’t limited to Columbia.  The key is what does the Bible say?  As Jesus was teaching His disciples on the Mount of Olives concerning the end of the age He warned them, “See to it that no one misleads you” (Matt 24:4b).  Therefore, we should not be surprised when people set dates to mislead others.  What’s the problem with setting a date you may ask?  Jesus said, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone” (Matt 24:36).  The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

A clue that Jesus provides about the end of the age is given in Matthew 24:14, "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”  The word for nations is ethnos from which we derive our English word ethnic, it essentially refers to people groups.  Jesus gave the command 2,000 years ago to make disciples of all the nations.  As David Platt says, “If we were willing to take some risks, if we were willing to alter our lifestyles, and if we were willing to organize our churches around taking the gospel to people who have never heard of Christ, we could see every people group on the planet reached with the gospel.  And in the process, we could be part of the end of the world” (Radical Together, p. 80).

I am concerned that when people set dates and the dates come and go then some people lose confidence in the Bible.  The problem is not in the Bible but in people misreading the Bible.  Jesus said we won’t know the day so don’t worry about trying to determine a date.  Rather than focusing on a date, focus on Jesus.  Since none of us know how much time we have to live this is a helpful guideline, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”  So how should you respond on May 21^st:  keep your job (and don’t tell off your boss), pay your bills, and keep your eyes on Jesus, "For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will”  (Matt 24:44).  As for me, I’m planning on going on vacation with my family on May 21^st . . . Deo volente!