How to Think About Predictions of the World Ending?

It is 11:00 am MDT on September 23, 2017 as I write these words.  David Meade used a study of numerical features in the Bible to predict the world ending today. However, he changed his prediction and said the world would not end today, but a series of cataclysmic events will occur over the next few weeks that will end life as we know it. “The world is not ending, but the world as we know it is ending, a major part of the world will not be the same at the beginning of October.” (According to the Washington Post article he was quoted in on Sept 17.)  The life we live can change in an instant and life is never the same again.  Let us be clear, he is still predicting that every single person on this planet is about to go through a cataclysmic upheaval almost as bad as the end of the world.  

These predictions have been happening for a number of years, remember the Mayan Calendar prediction in 2012?   The sad part to me it is professing christians who make these predictions and believe them, even promoting them.  So how should we as bible believing, Christ following eagerly awaiting Christ return, disciples of Jesus think about these predictions when they occur?  

Psalm 60 and 108 published together

You will notice the meditation for Psalm 60 is published somewhat out of order.  I decided to publish Psalms 60 & 108 together because they are based in the same historical events of 2 Samuel 8:3-14 and 10:1-19.  Also these two psalms share much of the same content and themes between them.  It seemed best to me for readers to have the two psalms together for better understanding each and seeing how they relate to each other.

Psalm 60

Read Psalm 60 ESV

Who - David speaking to the LORD, then to the people as a choir song.  

What - This is a national lament.  It is a lament over a national crisis that has come upon Israel by the opposing armies threatening Israel.  It is a cry to the LORD for His help and deliverance.  

When - The title gives the occasion of this psalm when Aram, Syria, Edom and Ammon assembled together to battle David and Israel in 2 Samuel 8:3-14 and 10:1-19.  What we discover in those passages were multiple engagements with a very large fighting force arrayed against Israel.  Not only was David and the army out numbered, but the Syrians had chariots while the Israelites did not.  So it was both a technological and numerical disadvantage for David.  

Where - Where this psalm was written is difficult to determine.  Most likely it was written out in the field where David and his army were encamped in Ammon.  If so, David was in a foreign land, outnumbered and overpowered by his enemies.  

Why - David and the army were in a desperate situation.  They were in a foreign land outnumbered and under-armed.  All the advantages went to David's enemies.  David calls upon the LORD to deliver and save Israel from these threats.  If David and Israel lose this battle, the Davidic Dynasty never happens.  

Psalm 108

Read Psalm 108 ESV

Who - David is speaking to the LORD.

What - David is making a plea to the LORD for help.  He is calling to God for help against Israel's enemies, apparently after defeats by the enemies around Israel in Battle.  

When - Unstated.  However, verses 8-13 are an exact match to Psalm 60:7-12.  So both psalms are probably inspired by the same events in 2 Sam 8 & 10.   

Where - Unknown, possibly in Ammon in the army’s encampment there.

Why - David sees the plight of Israel as desperate.  He believes they are in danger from armies around them.  He also believes that no human agent can save them.  Their only hope is the LORD intervening for them.