Is the Great Tribulation getting ready to kick off this weekend? Are we about to plunge into seven years of global chaos where all those left behind will be forced to take the mark of the beast or get beheaded?

Well, that’s what one end-times predictor is warning the world.

And I’ll admit, this end-times prediction is a little crazier than usual. An end-times “prophet” named David Meade is predicting not only that the Great Tribulation will kick off this weekend, but that it’s actually going to happen when earth is hit by “planet Nibiru” on Saturday.

I guess apparently NASA missed that memo.

While in this case I would image that even end-times enthusiasts would laugh off the prediction due to how outlandish it is, the reality is that this kind of end-times nonsense has found its way deep into the roots of Americanized Christianity. My evangelical brothers and sisters can laugh this one off, but even if they don’t believe the world is going to plunge into chaos and be overtaken by the Anti-Christ this weekend, they still believe it’s going to happen.

While much of the modern end-times nonsense (like the idea of a “secret rapture of the church”) is a modern invention that has only been around since the late 1800’s, the theological concept of a Great Tribulation is different– that actually is found in the Bible, and was taught by Jesus himself.

But what was Jesus talking about when he was talking about the Great Tribulation?

He certainly wasn’t talking about some global event that would happen 2,000+ years later. Not only is such a belief completely out of context with the area of Scripture where this is found, but it would have been completely irrelevant to his disciples.

When we actually turn to what Jesus said with a heart to understand, we find some really good news:

We don’t have to worry about the Great Tribulation– because it’s not happening this weekend, or ever. This video blog will give you a short, but detailed explanation as to what Jesus talked about, when he talked about the Great Tribulation:

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I believe the modern end-times movement is part of what has inspired many to live out a fear-based faith, because it invites us to expect and anticipate the world to get worse and worse. Instead, I believe God invites us to embrace hope and optimism about what God is doing in the human story– and to partner with the divine to create a better tomorrow.

I’d invite you to join me on a journey of moving beyond any belief that is rooted in fear, and to move into the faith that God has called us to. Preorder my new book, Unafraid: Moving Beyond Fear-Based Faith, today!