Endtime events without an “Ender”? 
The beginning… a good place to start! As an intro to this month’s question, I thought I’d share something that comes from my 2-part video series entitled, The Origin of the Universe.
In discussing the origin of the universe, we only have three options:
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  1. It came from nothing.
  2. It came from something.
  3. It has always existed.
That’s it. There are no other options. This is not a religious conclusion. It’s pure logic. I’ll give you a minute if you want to try to think of an additional option. In fact, I’ll give you 20 years if that helps.

Regarding option 3 (the universe has always existed), one of the most appealing things to those who wish to hold to this view is that it does away with “a beginner.” You see, if there was no beginning, you don’t need a beginner. No beginner, no God necessary either. Subsequently, there’s certainly no reason to feel morally obligated to adhere to some antiquated set of rules and no reason to fear eternal judgment. You can see this particular view’s appeal to many who wish to dispense with the notion of a Creator. As a side note, most secular scientists today realize this option flies in the face of the basic principles of science, meaning the universe must have had a beginning, so they must opt for either option 1 or 2. (And option 1 doesn’t fare any better!)

​However, it’s hard to imagine something beginning to exist, without something that “began it.” A “beginning” without a “beginner.” (For more detail on this, see our 2-part video series… Part 1, Part 2)

This month’s question focuses on the opposite end of the spectrum. The ending. Can you have an ending without an “ender?” Interesting question.
Is it possible that whomever, or whatever, created the universe but had no plan regarding how it would end? Yes, theoretically, this entity could have planned on just letting it run its course, being dictated by whatever laws of science guide it. However, it is just as theoretically possible that there is a plan and, furthermore, the entity could have attempted to convey some of those details to us.
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All of this leads to a recent email question I received (from Marissa in Florida) that included the following:
“I was in a conversation not too long ago where an unsaved but very talkative English couple asked me about various things they'd watched or heard about Revelation and the Beast, etc. They didn't seem as excited to talk about Jesus when I brought him up though. How would you bring in the Gospel in this type of scenario? They were pretty happy to ask, ‘What happens when this event occurs, or that takes place?’ etc., but didn't really seem interested in God himself.”
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Now you know where this month’s question comes from.  An interest in “the end” without reference to “the ender.”
 
I know virtually nothing about the couple Marissa referred to, other than they are from the United Kingdom. It is fairly common for people in the UK to live life apart from any significant deference to God. However, this does not stop them from wondering “where everything is headed,” so their interest in “the end” without an “ender” makes sense.
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Here’s what I sent as a reply to Marissa regarding my suggested approach:
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  • ​By using logic and reason alone, we can observe the world around us and confidently conclude that all of this could not possibly have come from nothing for no reason at all. The design and complexity are overwhelmingly in support of a Creator. 
  • However, even though we can conclude the universe and life were created (and not an accident), just looking at nature will never tell us “who” created it or “why” they created it, "what they want from us" or "what happens after we die." We could only know answers to those questions if whoever created us "left us a note."
  • The Bible claims to be that very note, from our Creator, and there's so much evidence to back it up, from internal consistency, history, archaeology, science, and prophecy.
  • The couple you spoke with are interested in what's going to happen next. That's prophecy! We could not possibly know on our own, but the Bible has a 100% accurate prophecy track record. So, if the Bible got all the past events correct, we should take very seriously what it has to say about future events as well. We have nowhere else to go for answers.
  • The Bible indicates the end times are all about Jesus, so if someone isn't interested in knowing more about Him, you'll have to tell them, “Good luck. I hope you find peace in whatever scenario you choose to believe in. As for me personally, I’m sticking with what the Creator of the universe has revealed in the Bible and what I will be held accountable for when I die.” 
  • Even if they choose to reject it, you still want them to know what the Bible says about who Jesus is, specifically that He was not only here 2000 years ago (and proved He was the long-awaited Messiah by dying for our sins and rising from the dead), but that He's also coming back, probably very soon, bringing God's final judgment on mankind.  Are they ready for that? What will they say to God in defense of their own lives? Will God judge them based on whatever standard they decided to make up, or will He judge them according to His own standard? I think they would admit, it makes a lot more sense God would use His own standard, which makes it even more important to know what that standard is. (You can help them with that! Today!!!!) 

​I would highly recommend that you also affirm them for being interested in end times and that you're really glad they are asking questions. God says if we seek Him, we will find Him (Matthew 7:7-8). That should help them feel a bit less defensive. It's not about proving you're right and they're wrong. It's about caring enough to want them to know what the Bible has to say about a topic they expressed an interest in. What they do about it is totally and completely up to them. You just want them to know because you care and don't want to see them make the wrong choices. If they found the cure for cancer, they would want to share it with everyone, even if some people wouldn't believe them. In fact, if they didn't, and people later found out they knew the cure and didn't tell them, they would justifiably be very angry.

So, an end without an ender is certainly a possibility, but we know enough from the Bible to soundly reject that idea, and we should be earnestly seeking to share God’s plan for the end times with anyone who will listen.
If you have any questions about this or any other issue, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

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