A USA Today article reports on some of the current hype: "With humanity coming up fast on 2012, publishers are helping readers gear up and count down to this mysterious—some even call it apocalyptic—date that ancient Mayan societies were anticipating thousands of years ago . . . Authors disagree about what humankind should expect on Dec. 21, 2012, when the Maya's 'Long Count' calendar marks the end of a 5,126-year era" (Jeffrey MacDonald, "Does Maya Calendar Predict 2012 Apocalypse?" March 27, 2007).

Again, one who reads and believes God's writings on the subject of the end of the age should be able to see that it's impossible for the world to end in 2012.

For one thing, while the world's system and this age of human misrule will come to an end when Jesus Christ returns, the natural realm and the human race will continue on—with Jesus and His glorified followers ruling the nations on earth for 1,000 years and more (Revelation 5, 20). After that, the earth and sky will be transformed into a new earth and heaven, which will persist forever (Revelation 21-22).

For another, the timing does not fit world conditions. Concerning the end of the world's system, Jesus specified major catastrophic events that would precede His coming, all leading to a period called the Great Tribulation. But this period will commence a full 3 1⁄2 years before Jesus returns. Since we're not in that great conflagration yet, the world certainly won't end in the next year and a half. And, of course, nowhere does the Bible speak of commissioning the ancient Mayans to predict the end of the age!

This does not mean there will be no calamitous events in 2012 or even before. For calamitous events are on the rise as the return of Christ draws closer. Yet when the world goes on at the end of 2012, many will no doubt be sorely disillusioned with any pronouncements of coming doom, Scripture included (2 Peter 2:3-4).

Don't be fooled. No matter what happens or doesn't happen in 2012, the end of the age will still be soon ahead. (Source: USA Today.)