For as long as humans have walked this earth, they’ve been predicting its end. From the moment Jesus ascended to Heaven, the early Christians lived in eager expectation of His return, believing it would happen within their lifetimes. It’s a compelling narrative that has persisted for over two millennia. And yet, here we are in 2025, with the world still turning and humanity still grappling with the same existential questions.
The Bible clearly states that no one knows the day or the hour — not even the angels in Heaven. Only God knows when the end will come. This divine secrecy reminds us of a simple truth: the end of “the world” is deeply personal. It can arrive at any moment for any of us. So, what benefit, if any, would there be in knowing exactly when the world will end?
Imagine encountering a prophet today — a real-life messenger of doom. Historically, prophets didn’t bring good news; they warned of impending disaster. They called out idolatry, greed, and injustice, urging people to turn back to God. Without fail, their warnings were met with resistance. Israel’s people would stray, suffer the consequences, and eventually cry out to God for mercy. And each time, the God of Love crafted a new way to restore the relationship, showing endless grace and patience.
This cycle hasn’t changed. Humanity continues to wrestle with idolatry, a concept Rabbi Nahum Ward-Lev connects to the pursuit of power and control. According to him, idolatry and domination are two sides of the same coin. They represent attempts to exert excessive control — over God, over others, and over life itself. This flight from relationship and trust in God manifests today in the relentless chase for wealth, power, beauty, and status.
These idols, as Rabbi Ward-Lev points out, are a double abomination. First, they drive us to oppression, lies, manipulation, theft, and even violence becomes an acceptable means to an end. Second, they distance us from God and life itself. The prophets called people to trust in the “Living Presence” — to embrace life’s unpredictability and the interdependent relationships that define creation.
The call to trust is not a call to passivity. It’s a call to participate fully in life, to seek not control but connection. It’s a reminder that true fulfilment comes not from extracting value from others but from nurturing mutually beneficial relationships. Vulnerability — the willingness to be hurt, rejected, or to experience loss — is the entry ticket to every meaningful relationship.
So, what does this mean for us today? The end is nigh, in a sense. It’s always true. None of us knows when our personal world will end. But living in fear of that moment or trying to control it betrays a lack of trust in God’s sovereignty. God has always been in control and always will be. Our purpose, then, is not to predict the end but to live with purpose until it comes.
Living with purpose means living a life of love. It’s about embracing vulnerability and building relationships rooted in trust and mutual flourishing. It’s about seeking the “more” within life itself rather than more things. It’s about participating in the fullness of life, not through domination or control, but through trust and right relationships — with God, with others, and with ourselves.
When the prophets envisioned a different world, they dreamed of a community grounded in trust, aliveness, and interconnection. Their message remains relevant today. Let’s stop chasing idols and start cherishing the gift of life as it unfolds. Let’s trust that God’s plan is good, even when we can’t see the whole picture.
The end may indeed be nigh, but the call is not to fear it. The call is to live — fully, deeply, and with love — until that moment comes. That’s the kind of life worth living, a life that honours the God who holds all of time and eternity in His hands.
Have a wonderful weekend and remember to be generous! 😊
As always, thanks for reading. 🙏
To receive #MyFridayStory every week, please join any Tribe below:
