End Times
Certain books of the bible talk about the end of the earth. They contain prophetic passages which foretell the iminent arrival of the apocalypse. For instance:
"It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it."
Zechariah 12:2-3
Many churches study the prophesies and look for signs of the coming end times.
There are many people who will point to specific events and decalre that they are proof of the coming end times in or lifetime.
These people may well be right, but throughour history in every generation people have seen signs that the return of Jesus is imminent.
Some terms for the "end times" include "the last times", "the latter days,", "the latter years", "the time of the end".
Whether christians believe that He is coming within a few years or not should not alter their adherence to the principles of truth, love and acceptance that Jesus taught.
The End Times prophesies, noteably those of John of Patmos are fascinating reading. There are many places online where you can read the revelations of St. John the devine along with modern interpretations of the meanings behind the prophesies.
One word of caution about end times is that children may become quite upset at being told the world is about to end.
We must ask ourselves an honest question about whether to frighten them with stories of wholesale destruction during end times or stick to the teachings about how to live a good and purposeful life here on this earth.