Interpretations of the ancient Mayan calendar vary, some say the world will end today; others say it means the dawn of a new age.  One thing is certain, the Mayans had the ability to forecast new moons, eclipses and planetary movements into the 20th century, and that's nothing to yawn at. 

Mayan priests had access to information, no doubt, that had been handed down from generations of men, who in the beginning, may have walked and talked with God, as Enoch did. 

There is at least one flaw in one interpretation, that is that the world will end; for the Bible clearly tells us that the world will exist forever, even if it suffers catastrophic events. "Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen" Ephesians 3:21. 

I used to think that the world would cease to exist when Jesus returns.  Based on
2 Peter 3:10, "The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, and the heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." 

This can be confusing and it may appear very contradictory, unless you have spiritual eyes to see.  The Bible tells us that only those who are spiritual can discern the things of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14).  The Word of God doesn't make sense in many cases to those who have not been filled with God's Spirit, or to those who are agnostic.  "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation" 2 Peter 1:20.  You can't just pick up the Bible, read a scripture by itself and always know what it means.  It is important to study the entire Word of God and pray for the interpretation in order to understand what it means, balanced, scripture with scripture.

Many Bible scholars do not believe the world will end and after a more thorough study of the whole Bible, I have also come to that conclusion.  The above scripture in 2 Peter 3:10 does not mean that the world will come to an end.  The world has been blasted with nuclear bombs, hit with huge asteroids throughout history, and many intense fires have burned up a lot of acreage throughout the world, but the world did not cease to exist.   

When Jesus returns, there will have been a lot of damage and destruction due to wars, specifically in the Middle East.  It is obvious by reading Zechariah 14, that nuclear warfare will take place in the last days, "This shall be the plague whereby the Lord will smite all the people who have fought against Jerusalem, their flesh will consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes will consume away in their holes and their tongue will consume away in their mouth" Zechariah 14:12.  A very precise description of the effects of a nuclear blast I would say.  Nuclear bombs are a plague to the people of the world.

The Millennial Reign described by the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 11) and John the Revelator (Revelation 20) clearly demonstrates that the world will continue a thousand years after Jesus returns; so, the catastrophic events described in 2 Peter 3 cannot literally be a description of the end of the world.  Visions or revelations of nuclear warfare given to the apostle in about 50 AD would certainly appear to look like the end of the world, although we are accustomed to such sights in the 20th century. 

Also, since there are numerous passages of scripture which tell us the world will never end, we have to conclude that the sights described by the ancients were cataclysmic, but did not annihilate the earth.

We see in Revelation 21 where the prophet said, "I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away and there was no more sea.  And I, John, saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." Revelation 21:1-2.

Before we make a rash conclusion about what was said in Revelation 21:1-2, we need to consider that not only are there numerous scriptures in the Bible which state the world is without end, but Jesus said this, "And whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.  Do you believe this?" John 11:26. 

The first thing one might say is, "Everyone dies, how can this be true?"  The Bible is very clear in telling us that when we pass from this body into eternity, we do not cease to exist.  In fact, the Bible tells us that we will receive a new body, our corruptible body will be changed at the resurrection of the dead into an incorruptible body (1 Corinthians 15:53-54).  The story Jesus told of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31) demonstrates that we will know one another when we leave this world, we will be conscious of the lives we led on this earth and we will remember our loved ones, as the rich man remembered his five brothers.  It would be ridiculous to enter heaven and not know anyone.  "Who are you?  I don't know, who are you?"  NOT!  "God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33)." 

David grieved when God took his son, but after the Lord took him, the Word of God tells us that David washed himself and ate.  His servants were surprised that after David's son died, he refreshed himself and decided to eat, but David said, "Now he is dead, why should I fast?  Can I bring him back again?  I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me." 2 Samuel 12:23.  It would be ridiculous to think we will be reunited with our loved ones in glory, but not know each other. 

With that issue settled, the fact that Jesus said, "Whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die," doesn't mean we won't die physically (we are changed instantly during the rapture or the resurrection - 1 Corinthians 15:52), so what Jesus said is true, we never die.  In the same sense, the world is without end, but it will be destroyed and there will be a new heaven and a new earth.  The old sinful earth will be replaced by a new heavenly world - refurbished, or renewed, if you will.  

Will the world, as we know it, end today?  I doubt it very seriously for this one reason:  Jesus said, "Of that day and hour knows no man, no not the angels of heaven, but My Father only" Matthew 24:36.  Given that Word from the Savior's own mouth, and since so many people are aware of the prediction that the world will end on December 21st, I don't believe this will be the day that the elements melt with fervent heat, as Jesus returns. 

Nevertheless, according to Bible prophecy, we are living in the generation of our Lord's return.  In fact, after this expectation that the world will end passes, it would seem a very likely time for the Lord's return, because the Bible says, "For when they shall say, 'Peace and safety,' then sudden destruction will come upon them, as travail upon a woman with child, and they (the wicked) shall not escape" 1 Thessalonians 5:3. 

Are you ready for the Lord's return?  He will return, as He promised.  It will be a glorious time for God's people, but horrific for the wicked and unbelievers.  Hundreds of Bible prophecies have already been fulfilled and God's Word never fails.  If you are not saved, please visit the How Can I Be Saved page of this website.  Salvation is easy - it's only a prayer away.  God bless you.