End Times: Are You Ready?

A compilation of resources on the Second Coming of Christ

May 19, 2011 - Will the world end this weekend? The Bible says not even the angels know the day or hour of Jesus' return. But amid speculation that's been around for centuries, there are certain timeless truths to which all Christians can cling.

Just before He ascended into heaven, Jesus told His disciples, 'It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set' (Acts 1:7).

First, we need to be sure we have put our trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. "The fact of the matter is... we are all a heartbeat away from eternity," said Will Graham, grandson of Billy Graham, when asked about recent "doomsday" predictions.

"Whether you stand before God on May 21st, or whether you stand before Him 50 years from now, is irrelevant in the scope of eternity," Graham added. "The important thing isn't when you stand before God; it's where you stand with God."

Our new Internet evangelism site, PeaceWithGod.net, is a tool you can use to settle the question of your own salvation and to share with unbelieving friends and loved ones.

Also, through the years, both Billy and Franklin Graham have written or preached sound, Biblical messages about the Second Coming of Jesus. If you have questions, want to learn more, or would like to pass along a link to someone you love, please use the resources on this page and across the site.

Q: I read a blog on the Internet the other day that claimed Jesus was going to come back to earth on a certain date. How did they know?

Jesus said, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Mark 13:32).
Read more of Billy Graham's answer »

Q: Do you think Christ will come again and the world will end in 2011 or 2012?

Just before He ascended into heaven, Jesus told His disciples, "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set" (Acts 1:7).
Read more of Billy Graham's answer »

Q: What is the "rapture," and when does it occur??

There are many Christians who believe that the second coming of Jesus Christ will be in two phases.
Read more of Billy Graham's answer »

Q: I know I'm supposed to look forward to Jesus' second coming, but I don't. Is it a mistake for me to feel like this?

"Yes," says Billy Graham. "It is a mistake for you to feel this way, because Christ's second coming will be a time of blessing and joy for all who know Him."
Read the rest of Billy Graham's answer »

Watch as Billy Graham talks about the rapture of the church (Nashville, July 1979):

Christ Our Coming Judge

The Second Coming of Christ will usher in the Day of Judgment, when the risen Lord Jesus separates the wicked from the righteous.
Continue reading »

What Difference Should it Make?

When we live in expectation of Jesus' return, it changes us.
Learn more »

10 Marks of Expectant Living

The study of prophecy provides a compelling motivation for living the Christian life.
Read the article »

God's Plan for History

How to read the puzzling Book of Revelation.
Get educated »

Forgiven Through His Death

Everything needed to accomplish our salvation was taken care of when Jesus died on the cross.
Read the article »

The Precious Blood of Christ

All too little is said these days about the blood of Christ.
Learn why it is so important »

It's Our Hour

The employees of BGEA were treated to a special devotional time with Bible teacher Kay Arthur, who spoke about the urgency of the times.
Find out what she said »

Sheep and Goats

When Jesus was asked to describe His second coming, He answered first with warnings, second with stories, and finally with a plain statement about "when the Son of Man comes in is glory."
Read more»

Reaching Family Members

How to make the transition from fruitcake to eternity.
Read more about sharing Christ with family members »

He Shall Wipe Away Every Tear

We grieve the loss of loved ones, but not as those who have no hope.
Learn how you can have hope»

The Virgins and the Bridegroom: Awaiting Jesus' Return

Christians of every generation have been interested in the return of Jesus Christ to the earth. And no surprise: the second coming of Christ has been the hope of the church in every age.
Read the article »

Are You Ready for the End?

Almost every headline, television news report and radio bulletin these days proclaims one essential truth: The modern world is in chaos, and no one has a realistic solution.
More from Billy Graham »

Proclaiming Christ's Return

"I have felt for a long time that the church has long neglected prophetic truth and, as a result, has failed to carry out God's revealed program not only for the church itself but has failed to tell the world of God's plan for the future," says Billy Graham.
Read the article from Decision magazine »

How Then Should We Live?

Skip Hetzig writes, "Christians have been looking for Jesus' Second Coming ever since He left the first time. We have always longed for the time when our Savior will come from heaven and make everything right once again on the earth. I hope you're looking for it because Paul says at the end of 2 Timothy that there is a crown awaiting all of those who are longing for His appearing. Are you longing for it? Do you get up in the morning thinking, This could be the day?"
Learn more »

Signs of Christ's Return: As In the Days of Noah

"As we watch the downward spiral of our society today, we realize that a powder keg is ready to explode," says Chuck Smith. "Something has got to change."
Click to read more »

Is Jesus Really Coming?

"People ask me, 'Do you really believe that Jesus Christ is going to come back to this earth again?'" writes Billy Graham. "Yes, I do. The Bible teaches that Jesus is coming again. And I don't see any other hope, because we're heading toward a catastrophe in our world."
Continue reading »

Come Quickly, Lord Jesus

Franklin Graham points out that after His death and resurrection, Jesus ascended into the heavens, while disciples stood awestruck and attending angels made this promise: "This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11, NASB).
Click for more »

End Times 101: The Basics of the Second Coming

The second coming of Jesus (and the subsequent upheaval of all that we know and understand) is an incredibly complex area of the faith.
Learn more »

The Hope of a Returning Savior

"We know He is coming soon," says Anne Graham Lotz. "He just has not arrived yet. Hope wakes us up and keeps us awake. In light of the vision of His glory, be faithful to watch!"
Read the article »

25 Comments

Clare says 9.2.2012, 8:38 p.m.

I am so looking forward to Christ's return and being in Heaven where there is only love, joy, and peace. Thank you, dear Lord, for making that possible with your sacrifice. I love You and await for You.

Charles says 8.5.2012, 8:36 p.m.

I know from the Bible that my spirit will go and live in heaven at the moment of death: 2 Corinthians:5:6-8. But even though that is true, I look forward to the Second Coming of Jesus and the reunion of body and soul. Perhaps I will never die.

Brenda says 2.28.2012, 12:46 a.m.

Jesus is our friend and saviour and God is our father. Trust in the lord with all your heart and mind and everything else will fall into place. Jesus is your friend, call on him and he WILL answer!

Jeff says 2.22.2012, 7:16 p.m.

He is coming shortly, of course no one knows the day, not even the angels, but soon, very soon. I am ready and wish he would come today. It will be so great in heaven. February 22, 2012..soon, very soon.

Neicy says 10.29.2011, 1:06 p.m.

I am and have always been a believer its just that I'm scared not out of fear I'm just scared because I want to be right because many men think they will enter the gates but they will not I just want to be in the direction of the righteous I don't want to be left on this earth.

Charles says 10.6.2011, 10:49 a.m.

I feel that both Billy and Franklin Graham are correct in what they are saying. I like the belief that the dead in Christ are in heaven now and can watch us if they wish. Charles And Betty Miller, my parents, can watch me run the race of life. They were so wise. In the hope that see me,I tell them that I love them more than yesterday.

keith says 9.23.2011, 1:39 p.m.

Keith: We should concentrate on the harvest which is absolutely ripe then our Master will do the rest

Belinda says 5.22.2011, 3:01 p.m.

To be honest, I'm not worried cus I'm ready!!!!!!!!!

Benhard says 5.22.2011, 2:27 p.m.

"GOD so love the world that He gave his only begotten son JESUS CHRIST, to all who believe in Him shall not perished but have everlasting life." This is GOD's promise to us because of HIS love and mercy. As Christian, if we fill our life with His love through our Lord JESUS CHRIST, we will understand the meaning "the end of times." Have faith in our Lord JESUS and do the will of GOD, we will go to our heavenly home in peace. Quiet Time with GOD,"Listen with your heart and you will hear my voices. You were with ME in the Beginning when I created the Universe." Let us count the blessings JESUS gave to us in our life time. Amen.

Glen says 5.21.2011, 9:57 p.m.

Wonderful sermon.

kayce says 5.21.2011, 9:23 p.m.

I believe that Jesus Christ returns. He loves us.

? says 5.21.2011, 8:15 p.m.

yeshua will return do u really know him???????

george says 5.21.2011, 12:37 a.m.

The signs of the times indicate that Jesus coming is extremely near.

ddddddddd says 5.21.2011, 07:20 a.m.

No one will know the day year or hour except God.

Carmen Miller says 5.21.2011, 06:57 a.m.

Honestly, I'm scared...I have this big fear in me that I have never had before. I'm a 23 year old woman with three kids who I have not even seen grown to adult hood yet. I haven't completed my goals in life yet. Is it wrong for me to have a phobia of dying and wanting these things I ask before He does return?

Jan says 5.21.2011, 02:55 a.m.

I pray that my cats will go with me. They are my children. I am single. I pray that all animals great or small will go with us.

Trevor says 5.21.2011, 00:30 a.m.

Sharon, even though you are tired, God still has a plan for you. We never know when God may use us to help another person to come to the Lord. Wanting to die is a sign of depression. And Satan is the father of depression. Keep your eyes upon Jesus and I'll pray that he helps your depression to be lifted.

mya says 5.21.2011, 00:19 a.m.

i just want my friends and my loved ones and my family to be safe. if you do end the world, just do it in peace. me and my family cherish your word lord god and the ones that i don't know. protect my enemies and my haters. me and my family and friends love and cherish you lord god love you.

Ron says 5.21.2011, 00:16 a.m.

True believers aren't paying any of this nonsense any attention. God has a chosen people, called out from among the unjust. We are people who serve a living God. Our Faith is just the beginning. We serve God daily. I pray that the people who call themselves Christians are truly living the life. At some point, by the grace of God, we will be in his presence. God Bless.

Jessica says 5.21.2011, 00:06 a.m.

Why do some Christians claim to know exactly when Christ is coming? I hear people cracking jokes about armageddon and it makes me sad that they would be so cavalier about it and angry because I feel that these "declarations" of exact dates are pushing people away from Christ instead of bringing them closer. How do I tell people about what I believe without turning them off?

Rae says 5.20.2011, 10:57 p.m.

I believe the end is near, and we must reconcile ourselves to God. The world as it is, is beyond repair. Pray to God to forgive you before it's to late.

We need encouragement. says 5.20.2011, 09:23 a.m.

As a shepard you tend to the flock (us) with your wisdom and knowledge that some have a hard time understanding. Help us to know the Lord and His Grace. Dispel all the rumors and myths that will begin to rise as Christs return approaches. May God bless you for what you do in Jesus name.

Peggy says 5.20.2011, 00:43 a.m.

No one will know the day or hour

Sharon says 5.19.2011, 11:09 p.m.

I am 62 years old I feel I have lived my life completely. Is it wrong for me to want to die and go to heaven now?

Yolanda Lowmaster says 5.19.2011, 6:34 p.m.

Our job as believers is to bring others to HIM...not worry about His return. We know that it is an absolute promise!!!