On the evening of October 30, 1938 Orson Welles and his Mercury Theatre on the Air performed a radio adaptation of War of the Worlds. They converted the 40-year-old novel into fake news bulletins describing a Martian invasion of New Jersey. Many listeners were frightened, mistaking those dramatized bulletins for the real thing. Police precincts, newspapers, and radio stations received a deluge of calls from concerned citizens. Some folks even fled their homes. This mass hysteria led the FCC to investigate the broadcast and CBS agreed to take steps to avoid future confusion.

Though nearly a century removed from that historic radio broadcast, doomsday phobias are real. Some fear environmental disaster. Others fear plague. You might fear a hostile takeover by AI, Armageddon or an extraterrestrial invasion. 

As we continue reading in our salvation story, Jesus begins his most extensive teaching about the end times, called the Olivet Discourse. Jesus reveals to his disciples that Jerusalem and the temple will one day be destroyed. Naturally, this was a cause for great concern, especially in light of their optimistic Messianic expectations. Instead of peace and prosperity, Jesus describes cataclysmic events to come. We see that judgment and destruction are a part of God’s predetermined plan. But He will preserve those who are His. Therefore, because of His sovereignty and gracious provision, we can wait without worry.