Fear of Impending End Times and Purpose in Daily Life
The fear of impending end times is a recurring theme in biblical literature, with various passages warning of the uncertainty and anxiety associated with the end of days. Deuteronomy 28:66 describes a state of constant fear, where "your life will hang in doubt before you. You will be afraid night and day, and will have no assurance of your life" [2]. Similarly, Sirach 40:2 notes that humans are plagued by "thoughts, and fears of the heart, their imagination of things to come, and the day of their end" [1].
In the New Testament, this fear is often linked to the expectation of Christ's return. The apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians about the daily anxiety he faces, "anxiety for all the assemblies" [3]. The expectation of the end times is also a theme in 2 Timothy, where it is written that "in the last days times of trouble will come" [4]. The author of 1 Peter exhorts believers to "be prudent therefore and watch in prayers" because "the end of all is at hand" [5].
The fear associated with the end times is not just a fear of the unknown but also a fear of judgment. Psalms 49:5 asks, "What cause have I for fear in the days of evil, when the evil-doing of those who are working for my downfall is round about me?" [6]. This fear is often seen as a characteristic of the wicked, as noted in Torrey's Topical Textbook, which lists "fear of judgments" and "fear of future punishment" as hallmarks of those who are not righteous [7].
However, the New Testament also offers a different perspective on fear. According to Tyndale House's commentary on 1 John 4:18, "perfect love expels all fear" because it is based on a consciousness of being loved by God, rather than a fear of punishment [9]. This is echoed in the commentary on Romans 11:20, which notes that fear can be a reverential awe of God, recognizing that one must stand before Him in judgment [10].
In the face of uncertainty and fear about the end times, some biblical passages offer practical advice on how to live daily life. The commentary on Matthew 6:34 by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown suggests that Jesus' instruction to "take therefore no thought for the morrow" is an encouragement to focus on the present day, as "every day brings its own cares; and to anticipate is only to double them" [11]. This advice is in line with the exhortation in 1 Peter 4:7 to be prudent and watchful, but not to be consumed by anxiety about the future.
The Jewish tradition also grapples with the concept of fear and the unknown. Rashi's commentary on Job 3:25 notes that the fear of a particular event can be a lifelong burden, highlighting the human tendency to worry about the future [8].
Sources
- Sirach “Sirach 40:2 (DRC) — Their thoughts, and fears of the heart, their imagination of things to come, and the day of their end:”
- Deuteronomy “Your life will hang in doubt before you. You will be afraid night and day, and will have no assurance of your life. -- Deuteronomy 28:66”
- 2 Corinthians “Besides those things that are outside, there is that which presses on me daily, anxiety for all the assemblies. -- 2 Corinthians 11:28”
- II Timothy “II Timothy 3:1 (BBE) — But be certain of this, that in the last days times of trouble will come.”
- I Peter “I Peter 4:7 (DRC) — But the end of all is at hand. Be prudent therefore and watch in prayers.”
- Psalms “Psalms 49:5 (BBE) — What cause have I for fear in the days of evil, when the evil-doing of those who are working for my downfall is round about me?”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fear, Unholy — A characteristic of the wicked -- Re 21:8. Is described as A fear of idols. -- 2Ki 17:38. A fear of man. -- 1Sa 15:24; Joh 9:22. A fear of judgments. -- Isa 2:19; Lu 21:26; Re 6:16,17. A fear of future punishment. -- Heb 10:27. Overwhelming. -- Ex 15:16; Job 15:21,24. Consuming. -- Ps 73:19. A guilty conscience leads to -- Ge 3:8,10; Ps 53:5; Pr 28:1. Seizes the wicked -- Job 15:24; 18:11. Surprises the hypocrite -- Isa 33:14,18. The wicked judicially filled with -- Le 26:16,17; De 28:65-67; Jer 49:5. Shall be realised -- Pr 1:27; 10:24. God mocks -- P”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Job 3:25: the thing I feared All my life, I stood in fear of this, as I said (1:5): “Now it would come about, when the cycle of the feasting would days be over, etc.””
- 1 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 John 4:18: 4:18 perfect love expels all fear: As we live with Christ and grow more mature and complete in God’s love, we have confidence in facing the day of judgment, which will be terrifying for those who don’t know God (Acts 24:25; Rom 2:16). • Based on consciousness of guilt, fear anticipates a deserved punishment, producing dread that is itself a foretaste of that punishment. Christ died to set us free from this dread (Heb 2:14-15).”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 11:20: 11:20 fear what could happen: In Scripture, fear often means a reverential awe of God that includes the recognition that we must one day stand before him in judgment (see 2 Cor 5:11; 7:1, 11, 15; Phil 2:12; Col 3:22).”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 6:34: Take therefore no thought--anxious care. for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself--(or, according to other authorities, "for itself")--shall have its own causes of anxiety. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof--An admirable practical maxim, and better rendered in our version than in almost any other, not excepting the preceding English ones. Every day brings its own cares; and to anticipate is only to double them. SERMON ON THE MOUNT--concluded. Next: Matthew Chapter 7”