Do you feel like the end of the world is coming? Do you think the biblical prophecies of the end are coming true around us in the 21st century? As humanity navigates the complexities and uncertainties of the modern world, themes of the end times have captivated the imaginations of many. This fascination is not new; it is deeply rooted in ancient texts, particularly the Bible, which offers a profound narrative on the culmination of history.

Biblical prophecies, such as those found in the Book of Revelation, Daniel, and the Gospels, have inspired countless works of art, literature, and music throughout the centuries. In this article, we explore a selection of contemporary songs that delve into these eschatological themes, reflecting on the vivid imagery and messages from scriptures like Revelation 21:1-4, which speaks of a new heaven and a new earth, and Matthew 24:30-31, describing the return of the Son of Man. These songs offer listeners a poignant mix of hope, warning, and reflection, echoing the timeless anticipation and awe that these biblical passages evoke.
 

P.O.D. - "Afraid To Die"

Thanatology is the study of death and the fear of it--the fact that there is a research field dedicated to this fear should spark some thought for Christians. Whether during our lives if Christ comes, or at the end of them, we will all die. Are we scared of death as followers of Christ? P.O.D. has a resounding answer that we should all be able to sympathize with. In their new album, Veritas, P.O.D. proclaims "If the world is gonna end/You know that I'm bringing all my friends 'cause/We ain't afraid to die!" Our hope in eternity should give us courage to face our lives in the face of eventual death, because we won't be alone, and we'll be in a better place.
 

Lacey Sturm - "The Decree"

Contrary to the often-complacent lives we all fall into at times, Lacey Sturm has a wake-up call for all listeners, "The time's not near/It's here/A holy fear is here." We often say, "Someday Jesus will return, and the world will end." But do we really live like it could be any day, as Jesus himself warned? If we live like Lacey warns us of in this song, then we would be living our lives differently--with a holy fear.
 

Kutless - "End of the World"

Hey, Kutless, can we get more rock and roll? It's been a while since the rock veterans released a single from an upcoming hard rock album, but it was a good one--"End of the World." This song is a narrative of the end times. It takes some picturesque references from the book of Revelation to paint a picture of our world in the times of struggle. With sympathy for the unbeliever, maybe we can also proclaim the message of hope like Kutless singing, "I can see your pain, heart is filled with shame/are you wondering how to end this suffering/it's the only way to decide your fate."
 

Demon Hunter - "Some of Us"

Demon Hunter holds nothing back when it comes to staring death and somber themes in the face, but they do so with hope. With the standalone single, "Some of Us," Ryan Clark describes the grim dichotomy that splits Christian from the lost. He poignantly points out in the chorus that "Some of us will rise/And some of us fall/And some won't learn to live at all/Not everyone will die." We often forget the grim fate that those we don't know Jesus will face at the end of days. Even though sometimes it is a run or a crawl through life, like Ryan writes, some people won't actually live in Heaven.
 

Convictions - "Four Horses"

The apocalyptic vision of the four horsemen of the end times has become well-known around the world since its writing. And for good reason--everyone knows the end will come someday and no one can be prepared enough. Sadly, there are some who are preaching against the biblical truths of the end. The band Convictions has a few words for those kinds of people. In their single, "Four Horses," the band screams about a unique perspective of the end times: the removal of evil in the world. They scream "The King is coming/And like vermin, the demons flee/Evil is silenced from the truth they've choked/this is the fear of the holy ghost!"
 

REFORMED - "Thus Saith The LORD"

One of my favorite newer Christian metal bands is REFORMED - they are intense and write incredibly sound biblical songs. Their EP, Thus Saith The LORD, dropped at the end of 2023, and in the title track, REFORMED warns listeners that "Judgement day is coming/Heed the warnings of our urgent preaching/No one is righteous/all have sinned." Through this epic, 7-minute song, the band highlights the sacrifice of Jesus, praises his eventual return in judgement, calls to the listener with desperateness, "Make your choice today/Right now/You are not promised tomorrow/Act quickly/You may be damned to Hell forever."
 

War of Ages - "War"

The latest from Christian metal legends War of Ages is a conceptual record about the end times. They do not shy from the direness and violence of the end. There will be much death and nowhere to hide from judgement in the end times and War of Ages paints a vivid image of these times. They scream, "There is nowhere to run, no place to hide from truth/For you are sorrowed/The choice you've made has left you crippled and alone/this wretched existence." We must be the bearers of hope before these times come, because Jesus will not give another chance, as the band sings, "War is His banner of conquest/Destroying all who stand in His way."