Page updated 17 Dec 2015
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What does the BIBLE say about End Time Warnings
scriptures
Genesis 19:14,
Genesis 41:30-32,
Exodus 12:23,
Hosea 4:6,
Jonah 3:4,
Malachi 4:5-6,
Matthew 24:37-39, 42-51,
Mark 16:15-16,
Acts 2:17-18,
Romans 10:17,
1 Thessalonians 5:21,
2 Timothy 1:7,
2 Timothy 3:1-4,
Hebrews 10:24-25,
Hebrews 11:7,
1 Peter 2:9
coming events (click here)
videos
Writer: Betty Miller | bibleresources.org/end-time-warnings/
We are hearing warnings from all sectors of our society. There are health warnings, terrorist warnings, economic warnings, weather warnings, and end-of-the-world warnings. Some warnings are valid, others are simply the fears of certain people, and have no basis of accuracy. Governments issue warnings when they feel they are being threatened by invasion or aggression from other powers. Health agencies warn of contagious diseases that could be spread unless precautions are taken. We hear of economic warnings when certain indicators in the markets warrant caution. And of course, our weather agencies monitor the threat of storms, fires, earthquakes, hurricanes and other weather related dangers.
I want to address a particular kind of warning in this article, what is popularly known as an "end time" warning. These voices range from "end-of-the-world" scenarios to end time prophecies depicting all kinds of foreboding happenings that could threaten our world. Some of these warnings are valid and credible, while others are just people who want to be seen and heard. Most of these warnings are coming from the church. However, secular movies and videos have also been depicting "end time" themes with warnings that the end of the world could be near.
Should we heed these warnings? How do we know they are credible? The Bible tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:21:
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
We are not supposed to believe every warning we hear, but rather we are to "prove all things." How do we do this? First, we must check out spiritual warnings to see if they are Bible-based. The next thing we need to do is ask the Lord if the motives of the ones who are sounding the warnings are pure, and directed out of concern for the people. Some people prey on people's fears to sell them something, while others like the attention they receive because of their inflated egos.
Bible Warnings
But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be... Matthew 24:37-39
(verse 37) But as the days of Noe [were], so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
(verse 38) For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
(verse 39) And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.Matthew 24 verses 37-39
The Bible records many warnings throughout its pages. Those who heeded true warnings from God were spared the predicted consequences. Before we look at some of these, let us look at the primary dictionary definition of the word "warn": to tell (a person) of a danger, coming evil, misfortune, etc.; put on guard, caution.
Throughout the history of the world, God has always made known to his people impending times of trouble, and given them time to prepare (or escape):
He warned Noah and his family of the coming flood and directed them how to prepare to survive it.
By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. Hebrews 11:7
He warned Lot and his family of the coming destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and told them to flee.
And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law. Genesis 19:14
He warned the Pharaoh of Egypt, through Joseph, of the coming famine and used Joseph to prepare stores of grain during the seven years of plenty, which saved Egypt and Joseph's family when a seven year famine followed the times of plenty.
And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous. Genesis 41:30-31
He warned the Israelites living under Egyptian slavery that the "angel of death" would kill all the first-born of every family and that they must protect themselves and their families by placing the blood of a lamb over the door posts, so the angel would "pass over" them.
For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. Exodus 12:23
He warned the wicked people of Ninevah, the capital city of Assyria, of God's coming destruction through Jonah. When they repented, the judgment was averted and did not come for a number of years.
And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. Jonah 3:4-5
The Y2k Warnings
Some of the past Y2K warnings could be comparable to the warnings given Ninevah. Warnings were coming from the government, from the technology field and also from church leaders. Most of the warnings stressed that unless the problems were corrected before January 1, 2000, we could face major breakdowns in all spheres of our society. We were warned that we should believe for the best, but prepare for the worst. Although many of the warnings were extreme, they did accomplish one major purpose -- they ignited the leaders of the world to begin doing something about the problem. Because the church prayed and the warnings were heeded, the Y2K disaster was averted.