Biblical Prophecies About the End Times and World Chaos
Biblical prophecies concerning the end times and world chaos describe a period marked by significant upheaval and divine judgment. These prophecies often speak of widespread destruction and distress before a final resolution [13].
The Old Testament prophets frequently foretold times of calamity. Isaiah, for instance, describes the trembling of the earth and fear among distant lands [3]. Ezekiel speaks of an impending "end" where peace will be sought but not found [2, 5]. These prophetic books, such as Isaiah and Ezekiel, contain numerous denunciations against the people of their time, warning of destruction and desolation [8, 10]. The prophet Joel also describes a future where Judah faces plague and drought, signs of divine judgment, though his prophecy ultimately concludes with an assurance of God's enduring kingdom [15].
The New Testament further elaborates on these themes, particularly in the teachings of Jesus and the book of Revelation. Jesus, in Luke 21, warns of "great earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places," alongside "terrors and great signs from heaven" [4]. These cataclysmic events are associated with God's judgment and the end of the age [14]. The prophets had also predicted heavenly signs preceding God's judgment at the end of the age [12]. The book of Revelation depicts a period where those with prophetic power can cause plagues and turn water into blood [1].
The concept of the "end of the world" or "last days" is understood as having begun with Christ's coming, with the next significant event being his second coming, which will bring the end of the world as it is currently known [11]. This period is characterized by great calamities [16]. The suddenness of these events is also emphasized, with calamities coming unexpectedly and without remedy [6]. The deluge in Noah's time, for example, is cited as an instance of a sudden and unexpected judgment [7]. Therefore, Christians are exhorted to be prepared for the end, as its exact time is unknown [9, 11].
Sources
- Revelation “These have the power to shut up the sky, that it may not rain during the days of their prophecy. They have power over the waters, to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire. -- Revelation 11:6”
- Ezekiel “Destruction comes; and they shall seek peace, and there shall be none. -- Ezekiel 7:25”
- Isaiah “The islands have seen, and fear. The ends of the earth tremble. They approach, and come. -- Isaiah 41:5”
- Luke “There will be great earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places. There will be terrors and great signs from heaven. -- Luke 21:11”
- Ezekiel “An end has come, the end has come; it awakes against you; behold, it comes. -- Ezekiel 7:6”
- Proverbs “Therefore his calamity will come suddenly. He will be broken suddenly, and that without remedy. -- Proverbs 6:15”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Deluge, The — Sent as a punishment for the extreme wickedness of man -- Ge 6:5-7,11-13,17. Called the Flood. -- Ge 9:28. Waters of Noah. -- Isa 54:9. Noah forewarned of -- Ge 6:13; Heb 11:7. Long-suffering of God exhibited in deferring -- Ge 6:3; 1Pe 3:20. The wicked warned of -- 1Pe 3:19,20; 2Pe 2:5. Noah, &c, saved from -- Ge 6:18-22; 7:13,14. Date of its commencement -- Ge 7:11. Came suddenly and unexpectedly -- Mt 24:38,39. Produced by Forty days' incessant rain. -- Ge 7:4,12,17. Opening up of the fountains of the great deep. -- Ge 7:11. Increased gradually -- Ge”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Isaiah, Book Of — I. Chapters 1-5 contain Isaiah's prophecies in the reigns of Uzziah and Jotham, foretelling that the present prosperity of Judah should be destroyed, and that Israel should be brought to desolation. In chs. 6, 7 he announces the birth of the child Immanuel, which in ch. 9 is more positively predicted. Chs. 9-12 contain additional prophecies against Israel, chs. (Isaiah 10:5-12) (6) being the most highly-wrought passages in the whole book. Chs. 13-23 contain chiefly a collection of utterances, each of which is styled a "burden," fore-telling the doom ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Second Coming of Christ, The — Time of, unknown -- Mt 24:36; Mr 13:32. Called the Times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. -- Ac 3:19. Times of restitution of all things. -- Ac 3:21; Ro 8:21. Last time. -- 1Pe 1:5. Appearing of Jesus Christ. -- 1Pe 1:7. Revelation of Jesus Christ. -- 1Pe 1:13. Glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour. -- Tit 2:13. Coming of the day of God. -- 2Pe 3:12. Day of our Lord Jesus Christ. -- 1Co 1:8. Foretold by Prophets. -- Da 7:13; Jude 1:14. Himself. -- Mt 25:31; Joh 14:3. Apostles. -- Ac 3:20; 1Ti 6:14. Angels. -- A”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Ezekiel, Book of — Consists mainly of three groups of prophecies. After an account of his call to the prophetical office (1-3:21), Ezekiel (1) utters words of denunciation against the Jews (3:22-24), warning them of the certain destruction of Jerusalem, in opposition to the words of the false prophets (4:1-3). The symbolical acts, by which the extremities to which Jerusalem would be reduced are described in ch. 4, 5, show his intimate acquaintance with the Levitical legislation. (See Ex. 22:30; Deut. 14:21; Lev. 5:2; 7:18, 24; 17:15; 19:7; 22:8, etc.) (2.) Prophecies”
- 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 4:7: 4:7-11 With this paragraph of miscellaneous exhortations, Peter concludes the third major section of the letter (3:13–4:11). 4:7 The end of the world is coming soon: At Christ’s coming, the “last days” predicted by the Old Testament prophets had begun (see 1:10-12). The next event in salvation history is the second coming of Christ, which will bring the end of the world as we know it. The end could come at any time; therefore, Christians must always be ready for it (see also Phil 4:5; Jas 5:8; Rev 1:3; 22:10).”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 21:25: 21:25 The prophets predicted that heavenly signs would precede the judgment of God at the end of the age (Isa 13:9-10; 34:4; Jer 4:23, 28; Ezek 32:7-8; Joel 2:10, 30-31; cp. Rev 6:13-14; 8:10; 9:1; 12:1, 3; 15:1).”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 24 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 24 This chapter contains a prophecy of calamities that should come upon the whole world, and the inhabitants of it, for their sins; of the preservation of a remnant; of the visitation of the kings of the earth; and of the appearance of Christ in his glory and majesty. The miserable condition of the world, and its inhabitants, especially all within the Romish jurisdiction, is set forth by various phrases, Isa 24:1 the causes of which are the transgression and mutation of the laws and ordinances of Christ, Isa 24:5 the effects of wh”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 21:11: 21:11 Cataclysmic events such as these are often associated with the judgment of God (1 Sam 14:15; Ps 18:7-8; Isa 2:19, 21; 5:25; 13:13; 24:18; 29:5-6; Jer 14:12; 21:6-7; Ezek 14:21; Amos 1:1) and the end of the age (Isa 24:18; 29:5-6; Ezek 38:19; Joel 2:10; Hag 2:6, 21; Zech 14:4; cp. Rev 6:12; 8:5; 11:13, 19; 16:18). • great miraculous signs from heaven: See study note on 21:25.”
- Joel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Joel 3:20: 3:20-21 The conclusion of Joel’s prophecy is the antithesis of its beginning. In 1:1-20, Judah’s future seemed in grave doubt. Plague and drought, the signs of divine judgment, threatened Judah’s existence. Now Joel ends with the divine assurance that Judah . . . and Jerusalem will endure through all generations. God’s people in every generation rest secure in the hope that his kingdom will reign over heaven and earth (see also Isa 9:6-7; Dan 2:44; 7:13-14).”
- Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 30:7: great--marked by great calamities (Joe 2:11, Joe 2:31; Amo 5:18; Zep 1:14). none like it . . . but he shall be saved-- (Dan 12:1). The partial deliverance at Babylon's downfall prefigures the final, complete deliverance of Israel, literal and spiritual, at the downfall of the mystical Babylon (Rev. 18:1-19:21).”