Scripture clearly says that the day and hour of the end have not been revealed: only the Father knows. Jesus calls us to stay watchful and be ready, not to calculate the timing. It also names the events preceding the end and gives the outcome: the present heavens and earth will pass away, while God promises new heavens and a new earth.
What the Bible Says About This
- The day and hour of the end are known neither to the angels nor to the Son—only the Father knows them (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32).
- Jesus answered the disciples, who asked about the time, that they were not permitted to know the times or seasons—these are under the Father’s authority (Acts 1:6–7); Paul did not consider it necessary to write about the times and seasons (1 Thessalonians 5:1–3).
- The day of the Lord will come like a thief; the heavens and earth will be destroyed, while believers await new heavens and a new earth (2 Peter 3:8–13).
- Jesus calls us to stay watchful and be ready because the hour is unknown (Matthew 24:42–44; 25:1–13).
- “The end of the age” is connected with the harvest and judgment (Matthew 13:39–40); Jesus says that the Gospel of the Kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14).
- Conclusion: Scripture does not confirm any proposed dates—Matthew 24:36 says that the day and hour are unknown; Christians interpret the events in Matthew 24 in different ways.
This brief answer was prepared by the editorial team; the verse texts are from the “Father’s Blessing” Bible.
Key Scripture Passages
9 Scripture Passages · Father’s Blessing Bible
Matthew 24:36
But concerning that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven nor the Son, but the Father alone;
Mark 13:32–33
32 But concerning that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on your guard, stay awake, and pray, because you do not know when that time will come.
Acts 1:6–7
6 So when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time that You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has set by His own authority,
Matthew 24:42–44
42 Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: if the owner of the house had known at what watch of the night the thief would come, he would have kept watch and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.
2 Peter 3:8–13
8 But do not forget this one thing, beloved: with the Lord, one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some consider slowness; rather, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief [in the night]. On that day the heavens will pass away with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and all its works will be exposed [destroyed]. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 as you wait for and earnestly desire the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt in the heat? 13 Nevertheless, according to His promise, we await new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
1 Thessalonians 5:1–3
1 Now concerning the times and seasons, brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 For when they are saying, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
Matthew 13:39–40
39 the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Therefore, just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so it will be at the end of this age:
Matthew 24:14
And this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Matthew 25:1–13
1 Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 Since the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 But at midnight there was a cry: ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ 9 ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. 11 Later, the other virgins also came. ‘Lord! Lord!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’ 12 But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ 13 Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour [when the Son of Man will come].
