An age coming to its close
In the KJV, Jesus' disciples ask about the end of the world. The Greek word behind world in that question is aiōn, which means an age, era, or order of things. So many modern translations say end of the age. The disciples were asking when the present broken order would reach its appointed end and Christ's reign would be openly established (Matthew 24:3).
Jesus also used harvest imagery. At the close of this age, he said, God will separate those who belong to his kingdom from evil. That picture is sober, but it also says history is not drifting without purpose. God sees what is hidden, and he will finally put things right (Matthew 13:39-40).
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
Jesus is at the centre
The end of the age is first about Jesus, not about trying to decode frightening headlines. After his resurrection, Jesus promised to remain with his disciples as they carried his good news to the nations, right through to the end of the age (Matthew 28:18-20). His authority and presence hold the whole story together.
Paul describes Christ's return as the moment when those who belong to him are raised. Death, which has wounded every generation, will not have the last word. The end of the age therefore includes a real hope for embodied life renewed by God, not escape from the physical world (1 Corinthians 15:22-23).
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Judgement and renewal
The Bible does speak plainly about judgement. Jesus says his return will bring a decisive separation, and people will answer to God for their response to him and the life he has given them (Matthew 25:31-32). That truth calls for honesty and repentance, yet it is never presented as an invitation to panic.
The final biblical vision is not merely destruction. John sees a new heaven and a new earth, with God dwelling among his people. Christians differ over how literally to arrange every detail of end-times passages, including the timing of the millennium, but they share this central hope: God will defeat evil and renew his creation (Revelation 21:1-4).
And 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.
How should we live now?
Jesus did not give the end-of-the-age teaching so his followers could set dates. He says the day and hour are not known to people, and he calls his followers to stay watchful and faithful (Matthew 24:36, Matthew 24:42). That means ordinary obedience matters: loving neighbours, resisting evil, praying, forgiving, and sharing hope.
The end of the age is not meant to make believers withdraw from the world. It gives courage to serve in it. Read Jesus' teaching in Matthew 24 and 25 slowly, and let the promised return of Christ move you towards steady faith rather than fear.