Is the World Going to End in 2012? A Biblical and Christian View

1. Where Did This 2012 Myth Originate From?

After watching the movie 2012 that came out in the year 2009, many have wondered “is the world going to end in 2012?” “If not, then what exactly will happen in 2012?” Most people think that this myth started with the ancient Mayans, but it actually started with claims that Nibiru (a supposed planet discovered by the Sumerians) was supposed to hit the earth back in May 2003. However, because nothing happened, people pushed the date later to December 2012. Eventually, some then linked this supposed "end of the world" date to the end of one of the cycles in the ancient Mayan calendar at the winter solstice in 2012 -- which brought upon the myth to have the exact date of December 21, 2012.

2. The Mayan Calendar is Often Misunderstood

Many think that the Mayan calendar ended on December 2012, but it actually did not. December 21, 2012 is just the end of the Mayan “long-count” period or year cycle. This means that it marked the end of a certain number of years. However, a new cycle begins after that, just like our calendars begin new cycles on January 1st. Therefore, the Mayan calendar was never predicting the end of the world. People just misunderstood it.

3. The Bible Does Not Back Up the “End of the World” 2012 Myths

Matthew 24:36 (NIV) tells us that nobody knows the day or time that Jesus will return: "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." In other words, nobody knows when the end of the world or the “end times” will occur. And again, after reading the above paragraphs, you will see that the Mayan calendar itself doesn’t even back up the claims that people thought it made.

4. Most Credible Scientists Do Not Back Up the “End of the World” 2012 Myths

Aside from the Mayan calendar and the (so far, non-existent) planet Nibiru, there are other claims that the world is going to end in 2012. But, just like the previous two myths, that is just people guessing without any real evidence. And according to NASA’s article, “2012: Beginning of the End or Why the World Won't End?”, there is also no scientific evidence that proves that anything will happen in 2012.

Now is it possible for God to “hide” signs of something that will happen from us? Yes, of course, anything is possible for God (Matthew 19:26, NIV). But if anything were to happen on December 21, 2012 it would not be because of a misunderstanding of the Mayan calendar or because the (so far, non-discovered) planet Nibiru came crashing into the earth on that date. It would simply be because God wanted the "end times" to occur on that date.

5. This is Not the First “End of the World” Myth – And Will Probably Not be the Last

Ever since Jesus talked about His return and the end times (end of the world) and said that “this generation” (Matthew 24:34, NIV) would see it, probably even people back then assumed that they would be the ones that would see it. However, Jesus was talking about whatever generation was alive when the events happened, not the generation He was talking to at that exact moment in time.

More modern myths include the failed May 21, 2011 and October 21, 2011 rapture by Harold Camping of Family Radio. Sometime before that was the Y2K myth about how the world was supposed to, originally, just encounter some technology disasters in 2000. However, somehow some people started to believe that the world would end in the year 2000. Later on, and as stated above, the (so far, non-existent) planet Nibiru was supposed to hit the world and end it in 2003. None of this (in any of the examples) ever happened.

6. Do Not be “Worried” About 2012 or the End of the World. Being “Concerned” is Ok, Though.

The Bible tells us in Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV) that we should not be “worried” about unnecessary things. Worrying is doing nothing but focusing on the negative without any look at a solution. Being concerned, however, is ok because instead of focusing on the negatives of a situation, you are looking for a positive solution. So if for whatever reason you are “worried” about the end of the world, start being “concerned” about it and preparing for it, instead (Matthew 24:44, NIV). But again, nobody knows the exact date and the 2012 myth is just that – a myth – and it has not been backed up by any evidence.