INTRO: Many people are interested in catastrophes, doomsday scenarios, the end of the world, the Apocalypse. Astronomers say that our sun is a yellow dwarf star, and that stars like our sun sometimes explode into a super-nova, one hundred million times brighter that the sun. If and when that happens, the earth will be incinerated very quickly. They say this event may be millions of years in the future.

Isaiah speaks not of the literal end of the planet, but of the end of the world as we know it. That is the end of the age. The history of mankind may be outlined as seven great epochs of history: 1. Innocence 2. From Adam to Noah's flood. 3. From Noah to Abraham. 4. Abraham to Moses. 5. Moses to Jesus Christ. 6. Between the Advents 7. The Millenium.

Isaiah was looking ahead to the Second Advent of Christ, the end of the age that you and I are now living in. What does Isaiah say about the end of this age of the earth? Very simply, God will be coming in Majesty to Judge the earth; and the peoples of the earth will be terrified, and trying to hide.

I. God is Majestic and Awe-Inspiring.
A. We are so self-centered, and earth-centered, that we don't think much about God. But
see Isaiah 6:1-4 or Rev. 4:2-11

B. His first advent was in mercy to offer salvation.
His second advent will be in wrath to punish evil (Revelation 6:12-17).

II. The End of the Age will be Characterized by Catastrophes.
A. Things falling from the sky (Revelation 8:7-11).
Last month there were many TV shows about meteorites, great destruction.
The Tunguska meteorite example:

B. Plague will devastate mankind (Revelation 16:1-2 and others).
Plagues are making a comeback in our generation (Time article).

III. Why does God do all this? Why a prolonged time of suffering? Why not just
instantaneous judgment and destruction? He is looking for Repentance
(But not finding much -- see Revelation 9:20; 16:9, 11, 21)

CONCLUSION:

When will the end of the world happen? Many speculations! 666 times 3 equals 1998!
But the Bible says: Matthew 24:36-44 at an unexpected time.

Are you ready? If Jesus returned tomorrow, what would you need to do to be ready? It might be tomorrow. We must repent, we must believe, we must live a Godly life. And don't fear the end, for we have a Rock in whom we may safely find security!

Prayer
*Hymn # 496 "He Hideth My Soul"