Question: Mr. McLemore, many people seem to think that the end of the world is near. What do you think?

Answer: I suppose most people who express such a concern believe that there are certain signs that indicate that the end is imminent. This is primarily due to a failure to distinguish between the two events discussed by Jesus in Matthew 24. One is the destruction of Jerusalem (through verse 35), and the other is the second coming of Christ which marks the end of the age (beginning in verse 36). There were signs that would alert people to the former, but the latter is unknown to any except the Father. Judging from the story of the flood (see Genesis 6:5-8), it would seem that when humans become extremely evil, God makes an end of them. However, we must also remember the story of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:20-33). For the sake of ten righteous souls, God would have spared the city. No one except God knows when the end will be. Our task is to live in readiness and righteousness at all times.