Well here we are with three days to live and the world is still turning. My personal feeling is that the Mayan Calendar prediction will turn out to be about like the Y2K predictions. It is either lot of hot air about nothing, or we are toast. However in the course of my reading up on the issue I have come to the conclusion the Mayans may have been on to something, but they missed a few points. The fact that they no longer exist says a lot for that point of view.
The Mayans predicted that their Gods would return from the heavens and deliver them from this world. That sounds a little like the Biblical account of what will happen in the end time. The Bible. however, goes into a little more detail and Jesus gave us some guidelines and things to look for. In both the Book of Matthew and the Book of Luke, Jesus made it clear that in the end of times it would be as it was in the days of Noah. Well Noah was one of the few saved at the time of the flood and the end of the world as it was in his days. In Matthew 24:32. Here is what Jesus said on the matter.
32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and puts forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 36 But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 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, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 43 But know this, that if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man comes.
Maybe what Jesus did not say is more important than what he did say. Jesus was noted for speaking in parables. He also made his point several times by what he did not say. When dealing with the issue of a woman caught in sin, he said," Let you who is without sin cast the first stone." he did not have to list their sins for them. They knew what they had done. He told stories that the ones who believed in him would understand. To those who did not believe in him it was just a bunch of rambling. One key to Jesus's talking was that he expected you to know what the Word of God, The Bible, said. Most of the Jews he spoke to did know the Bible. The first thing he said for them to understand was the cycle of nature. He made clear that when you see nature unfolding you know what is going to happen, because nature is consistent. Just as the Word of God is to those who believe it.
He made it clear when you saw these things happening that the end was near. Which is the same thing the Mayans were saying. He also made it clear he came to save those who believed in him. He did not come to save those who were of the world and who did not believe in him. Verse 35 gives the big clue. "My Words shall not pass away." His Word is still with us. Jesus spoke of people eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage." Which happened right up till the time Noah went into the Ark. What Jesus did not say was what his Word, The Bible, says. The verses I have attached give a little clearer view of what Jesus was speaking of, especially if you read the highlighted verses. Just look at all the violence in the world today. One clue that he did give which is not mentioned in Genesis is pretty clear if you look at the world today. He said they would be giving in marriage. Marriage was one of the first institutions created by God. Today marriage has or is becoming and abomination in this day and age. It is being twisted against all that the Word of God commanded. Note that in the Genesis account, His Word mentions the taking of wives, but it is not a normal relationship.
1 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, 2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. (Could this be the source of the advanced knowledge of ancient civilizations.) 5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. 9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. 10 And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth
So let me conclude as to why the Mayans may have been right. It has nothing to do with their calendar. It has to do with their lifestyle. They believed in human sacrifice and were an exceptionally violent group of people. Genesis said what happens to that type of people. God has no use for them and will destroy them. They no longer exist as a people. Yes there are living descendants of them, but as a people they no longer exist. So God is consistent with dealing with violent people. That may be the biggest warning we can take away from what is known and what is said.
I could go into a long Biblical dialogue about how and why it is the end time. That is not the point. We all need to live like today is our last day and treat our fellow man with respect. We need to turn our hearts and lives back towards God. If we are living the life he commanded us it will not matter what happens. If we are right with God, we will be delivered. We have his Word on it. Dying is not the measure of a man. All men will and must die. It is how we live our lives that matters. The rain(death) falls on the just and the unjust. All will die at some point. Whether it is individually or collectively at some point we will all die. The Bible says so. It also says all shall be raised up at some point. Some to glory, and some to judgement. Which is your destination? Only God knows the answer to that question.
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