The big news this week has been the continued outbreaks of severe weather around the world and in the United States. From California to the Midwest and Northeast, severe weather has tried to put a damper on the holiday festivities.
The weather first made Christmas travel dangerous and miserable, then it made for a miserable end to 2025, leading into the New Year festivities. The last few days of 2025 were more challenging for many people due to severe weather disturbances:
- Floods
- Extreme high winds
- Snowstorms
Lest we forget that 2025 began with extreme weather events that led to flooding and wildfires that claimed many lives across America. Mother Nature seems to have a mind of her own these days.
But no one should be surprised since the Bible foretells of extreme and severe weather as this fallen kingdom nears its end (Ezekiel 13:13 Matthew 24:39). More and more we are seeing the signs Jesus and the Bible warn us about that occur in the last days (Luke 21:7-19).
Jesus warned that these things must take place before the end finally comes to this fallen kingdom that many conservatives are fighting to rule because they have been led astray by their evil hearts and an earthly king (Matthew 24:4-14).
What Is the End
As we know, everything and everyone that lives has a beginning and an end; these are the two sides of the spectrum of life. The end is defined as “A point that marks the extent of something.”
We all know how the circle of life works; one stage ends before another begins in the cycle. Last year, three of my neighbors died in as many months; it seemed like God was clearing out my neighborhood to make room for new neighbors.
The older we get, the more we realize just how temporary and fleeting this life is (Psalm 139:4-5, James 4:14). This physical lifecycle has a spiritual connection to it; we see this ebb and flow of life and death throughout the Bible.
That is why the Bible has a lot to say about the end and the beginning (Isaiah 46:10; 48:12, John 1: 1-2, Revelation 22: 13). We see through God’s creation and life that because of sin, things and men die (Ecclesiastes 3:20, Romans 5:12-22).
The New Testament writers explain the importance of the end of life to lead to new life (John 3:3, Romans 8:13, 1 Corinthians 15:53-54, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 4:22-24, Colossians 3:9-10, Revelation 21:4-5). The apostles remembered their Jewish education about the end.
‘Aḥărîṯ
The Torah tells us that because of man’s thirst for earthly greatness, sin and death entered the world, and everything would eventually come to an end (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-24; 6:5). Everything from the ground to mankind became cursed, and all life will come to an end (Genesis 4:11-12, Deuteronomy 11:17).
Because of man’s disobedience, life became harder for him and all of the creation that will eventually die (Genesis 3:17-19, Isaiah 24:5-6). The Hebrew word in the Old Testament for end is ‘aḥărîṯ, and it can also mean “Latter, posterity, or reward,” depending upon the context it is used in.
God’s plan for His people was to help restore what was lost in the garden before everything comes to an end (Genesis 3:15; 12:1-3, Isaiah 11:1-10, Jeremiah 31:31-34). That is why God’s people are told to watch and be prepared for the end (Isaiah 21:11-12, Jeremiah 30:7, Daniel 12:1):
Pre-Signs
- Moral decay
- Conflict
- Signs in nature
- Secularism
- Lawlessness
Beginning
- Restoration of Israel in Jerusalem
- Temple restored
- Recognition of God
- Resurrection of the dead
Jesus reminded His followers about the signs of the end times as only the beginning of the end (Matthew 24:3-8, Mark 13:5-8, Luke 21:7-11). Jesus predicted this evil world would be destroyed and eventually end (Matthew 24:35).
That is why Jesus warned His followers not to focus on this temporary kingdom and its treasures that will end (Matthew 6:19-33). Our Lord even identified Himself as the resurrection and the end of death (John 11:25-26).
He is also called the beginning and the end of everything (John 1:1, Hebrews 13:8, Revelation 21:6), because Jesus is at both points of the lifecycle.
New Year’s
In other big news, we have officially entered a new year, and 2025 came to an end just a few hours before I began writing this post. Last year was a difficult year for many people, especially in America, where many people didn’t get the help they hoped they would with the changing government and leadership.
A new year is symbolic of a new beginning in the lifecycle; the things of old are left in the past with the previous year, and a new year brings with it lots of hope that things will get better.
Many of us faced disappointment in 2025 for various reasons:
- Financial setbacks
- Health issues
- Lost relationships
- Vocational hardships
However, it is important to remember that only God knows what the new year and future years have in store. God already knows the future, because he is already there (Psalm 139:1-6, Isaiah 46:10, Matthew 6:8).
God’s plans have been set in motion since the beginning of time (Jeremiah 29:11, 2 Timothy 1:9). God knows when His people will fall away and when they will return to Him wholeheartedly (Ezekiel 11:19-20, Hosea 14:4). Our God already knows how 2026 will aḥărîṯ!
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