LightGrams
January 30, 2025
Volume 29, Number 5
In 1947 the world was introduced to “the Doomsday Clock”. It’s not an actual clock, but a vision of how close humanity is to “doomsday”. The end could come, according to the clock’s inventors (a group of atomic scientists), because of nuclear war, natural disasters, or pandemics. In 1947 the clock was set for 7 minutes until midnight – “doomsday”.
Through the years the clock has been adjusted as conditions change. In 1991, after the U.S. and the former Soviet Union signed an arms reduction pact, the clock was moved back to 17 minutes until midnight. Earlier this week, however, “The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists” announced that the clock is now at 89 seconds until midnight, the closest we have ever been to the end of a habitable earth.
Do these atomic scientists believe they can predict the future? That’s not the point, they say. Their purpose in developing such a device is to spark conversations about difficult scientific topics such as climate change, according to the Bulletin. Their hope is to awaken people to problems such as climate change, warfare, and pandemics to bring about positive changes, changes that can move the clock backward. It is within our power, they believe, to postpone the end of the earth.
Is there really an endpoint for Earth? Or is this another example of someone promoting scare tactics to bring about changes they wish to see?
Peter was inspired by the Holy Spirit when he wrote these sobering words: “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10). According to this apostle, Doomsday is a real event in the future.
Jesus taught this concept. In speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem (that occurred in 70 A.D.), Jesus pointed beyond that catastrophe to an event on a broader scale: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matthew 24:35). Even more durable than the material universe around us are the words revealed from heaven. Earth will not endure forever.
When will that end occur? Look at the following verse: “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (Matthew 24:36). An end will come for Earth, but there is no clock that will allow us to know when. Only God has that information.
So how do we respond to this information? Look again at 2 Peter 3: “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?” (2 Peter 3:11). The old Boy Scout motto applies here: “Be prepared.” We know the end is coming, so live each day as if it’s the last day. Live according to priorities the Lord teaches us.
For those who are in Christ, the last day won’t be Doomsday, but Blessings Day (see Colossians 3:4, 1 Peter 5:4). That’s just one of many reasons to live for the Lord.
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2024, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “[email protected]” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
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