"The End of the World"
As We Know It
"We,
according to His promise, look for a new heavens and a new earth wherein
dwelleth righteousness."
2 Peter 3:13
In this time of great prophetic expectation, the expression end of the
world is frequently used by Christians, and has been associated with the
complete destruction of the planet. However, this gloomy prospect is the result
of a misleading Bible translation which should more accurately read end of
the age and not end of the world. (See Matthew 24:3, Rotherham: the
conclusion of the age) This thought harmonizes with the Apostle Peter’s
historic review of Noah’s day when he explained that "the world that
then was, being overflowed with water, perished." (2 Peter 3:6)
Obviously it was not the literal world which came to an end—merely a ceasing of
that order or condition of things which prevailed in the world prior to the
time of the flood. Yes, ages may end and be succeeded by other ages, but the
Bible declares that "the earth abideth forever." Ecclesiastes
1:4
In determining a harmony between two seeming conflicting thoughts, i.e., the
earth abides forever and the end of the world, Christians must give
studious attention to the Scriptures in the light of reason. There are several
very important Bible study methods necessary to understand the meaning of
phrases such as end of the world—important, because Bible students
should handle the Word of God responsibly and not give wrong impressions of
God’s plans and purposes. Understanding the plan of God for the earth and its
inhabitants will illustrate to others the generous and loving character of our
great Creator.
Harmony
of the Scriptures Discovered Through Study Methods
TOPICAL BIBLE STUDY
To determine whether an interpretation of scripture is correct, it must
first harmonize with all the other scriptures on the subject. This method of
Bible study is termed topical Bible study. As an illustration, to study
the subject of the earth in prophecy topically, one should go to a Bible
concordance and look up the word earth. There, many scriptures will be
listed from both the Old and New Testaments.
It is helpful to itemize the scriptures listed in the concordance, and,
using another study method, to categorize according to the context of the
reference. The following chart illustrates these two study methods used in
tandem.
Earth Destroyed: Revelation 21:1;
Matthew 24:35 Heaven & earth shall pass away, Hebrews 1:10-12 Heaven
& earth shall perish, Zephaniah 3:8 Earth devoured with fire, 2
Peter 3:5, 6 World that then was, being overflowed with water, perished, 2
Peter 3:10 Earth shall burn
Earth Remains: Matthew 6:10 Thy
kingdom come on earth as in heaven, Ecclesiastes 1:4 The earth abides
forever, Matthew 5:5 The meek inherits earth, Isaiah 45:18 God
created earth not in vain, formed it to be inhabited, Psalm 104:5 Foundations
of earth shall not be removed forever
New Earth: Revelation 21:1 New
eart replaces old, Rev.21:5 Christ will make all things new, Isaiah
65:17 Creation of a new heavens and a new earth, 2 Peter 3:3 Look for
a new heaven and a new earth, Isaiah 66:22 New earth remains forever.
Having listed many of the references concerning the future of planet earth,
three other study methods are now necessary to aid in understanding—definition,
symbolism and time frame.
DEFINITION AND SYMBOLISM
As we have seen in the opening paragraph, a simple review of definitions
by consulting a Bible concordance will assist the Bible student in
understanding the original intent of the phrase. In our example, that which was
to end was the age and not the world.
Looking into the context of a topic will help to determine
whether one should interpret a word as literal or symbolic. Take
the words in Zephaniah 3:8, 9 for example: "...all the earth shall be
devoured with the fire of my jealousy." If taken literally, one could
view God as a fire breathing dragon, which we know He is not. But, taken in symbolic
language, jealousy is often pictured as a fire burning in the heart. Here,
God’s jealousy is also shown as a fire, however, His jealousy is based upon
fair and impartial judgment, toward a perfect end and for the benefit of all.
Reasoning on the context of this scripture, we can also see that God
does not literally burn up the earth, nor the inhabitants, for He states
in verse 9 that, after His anger burns, He will turn to the people a pure
language that they may all serve Him with one consent. If the earth were
destroyed, where would the people be residing to learn this new language?
Now review the context of Revelation 21:1 in the chart above, which
uses highly symbolic language to describe the reign of Christ. There,
Christ is illustrated as a husband and Lamb, and the Church is illustrated as
his bride. Together they are illustrated as a tabernacle. All of these words
are beautiful word pictures of a new world government under the reign of Christ
and the Church, and, thus, the old earth and heavens must likewise be pictures
of the old world government under the reign of Satan and his followers. Thus,
it is Satan and his works—the systems of evil and error that he has set
up—which shall be destroyed forever. See Revelation Chapter 20.
As a further confirmation of fire understood as a symbol by context,
review 2 Peter 3:10 which reads: "But the day of the Lord will come as
a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great
noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the
works that are therein shall be burned up." Again, if taken literally,
these words contradict that "the earth abideth forever." A
literal interpretation would also present a significant problem if the literal
heavens, where Christ, his Church and the angels abide, pass away and
melt with fervent heat. God urges us: "Come now, and let us reason
together." (Isaiah 1:18) His holy Word must harmonize with itself, and
the symbolic interpretation of this scripture harmonizes completely with
the earth abiding forever. The symbolism of fire, here again represents
the destruction of the elements of the old earthly systems under the reign of
Satan and his minions: the present ecclesiastical heavens and
political-social systems of earth.
Reasoning on the context of 2 Peter 3:6 (see chart above) we find
that the earth perished during Noah’s day, and yet, the earth is still
abiding today. Carrying this logic through, we conclude that, although the
present order of society will be destroyed, Peter is assuring us of a new
heavens and earth: "we, according to His promise, look for a new
heavens [new government ruled by Christ] and a new earth [social arrangement]
wherein dwelleth righteousness." 2 Peter 3:6, 7, 13
TIME FRAME
One final method of Bible study used to unlock many of its mysteries is time
frame. We learn that the plan of God, with reference to man, spans three
great periods of time, beginning with man’s creation and reaching into the
illimitable future. Peter and Paul designate these periods three worlds.
As will be observed in the following diagram, these three worlds are, as Strong’s
Concordance terms it, ages or periods of time. They also
represent three distinct manifestations of God’s divine providence on behalf of
mankind - THE WORLD THAT WAS (before the flood), THE PRESENT EVIL WORLD, and
THE WORLD THAT IS TO COME.
The first time frame (or dispensation), from creation to the
flood, was under the administration of angels, and is called by Peter "The
world that was." 2 Pet. 3:6, Hebrews 2:5
The second great age or time frame, from the flood to the
establishment of the kingdom of God, is under the limited control of Satan, "the
prince of this world," and is therefore called "this present
evil world." Gal. 1:4; 2 Pet. 3:7
The third epoch or time frame is to be a "world
without end" (Isaiah 45:17) under divine administration—the kingdom of
God—and is called "The world to come... wherein dwelleth
righteousness." Hebrews 2:5; 2 Peter 3:13
The first of these periods, or worlds, was under the influence of
rebellious angels who led mankind into immoral and depraved behavior. The
second world, under the rule of Satan, the usurper, has also been an evil
world. But the third world will be an era of righteousness and of blessing to
all the families of the earth under the benevolent rule of Christ.
The last two of these worlds or time frames are most
particularly mentioned in Scripture, and the statements relative to them are in
strong contrast. The present, or second period, is called the present evil
world, not because there is nothing good in it, but because in it evil is
permitted to predominate. "Now we call the proud happy; yea, they that
work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered."
(Malachi 3:15) The third world or time frame is mentioned as a world wherein
dwelleth righteousness, not because there will be no evil in it, but
because evil will not predominate. The blotting out of evil will be gradual,
requiring the entire Millennial Age. Evil will not rule then—it will not
prosper. It will no longer be the wicked that will flourish, but "the
righteous shall flourish," "the obedient shall eat the good of
the land" and "the evil doer shall be cut off." (Psalm
72:7; Isaiah 1:19; Psalm 37:9) This is because Christ, the ruler of the age
to come will instruct the world in righteousness, and truth will prosper.
Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world," and until
that era or world to come does arrive in the full sense, Christ’s
kingdom will not completely control the earth. And for this we are taught to
hope and pray, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth..." For
now, Satan is spoken of as the "ruler of the darkness of this
world," and therefore "darkness covers the earth and gross
darkness the people." But, the promise of the ages to come is
glorious! Ephesians 2:2; 6:12; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Isaiah 60:2
The
Earth—God’s Footstool Made Glorious
God declares: "The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my
footstool and I will make the place of my feet glorious" (Isaiah 66:1;
60:13). How glorious would the earth be if literally burned up? But when
the curse laid on the earth is lifted, and the fruitful conditions of Eden are
restored, that will be glorious! The Bible certainly supports the latter
prospect: "And there shall be no more curse; but the throne of God and
of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him."
Revelation 22:3
When the "ransomed of the Lord shall return," the
wilderness shall be habitable and "the desert shall rejoice and blossom
as the rose." (Isaiah 35:10,1) Man will return to where he was
before the curse of death. He will not return to heaven, because he did not
come from heaven. Man, as represented in Adam, started life in the Garden of
Eden. Man was ejected from this paradise on earth. From the time of his
disobedience in the Garden, he worked with the thorns and thistles and
eventually died in sorrow. But the Scriptures assure us that "The earth
shall yield her increase." (Ezekiel 34:27) In God’s Kingdom, Adam and
his children will return to an uncursed, blossoming, glorious earth!
"But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain [God’s
Kingdom] of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the
mountains... [the many kingdoms of man]. When this prophecy in Micah is
fulfilled, energy devoted toward war will be converted to agriculture. Economic
security and human dignity will be the inheritance of every individual who has
ever lived: "They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their
spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up a sword against nation. But
they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall
make them afraid..." "The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and
the lion shall eat straw like the bullock. They shall not hurt nor destroy in
all my holy mountain, saith the LORD." Micah 4:1-4; Isaiah 65:17
God has not lost control of His vast dominion. He has an all-encompassing
plan of rescuing and blessing all of His creation. Man will not be allowed to
destroy himself and his earth, neither will God literally burn up the whole
earth. He has no limits to His wisdom nor lack of power to execute His
promises—but, as seen in the three ages or worlds, all will be
accomplished in His due time.
The
Times of Restitution of All Things
For six thousand years God has permitted a reign of evil, but soon He will
refresh the earth by "the times of restitution of all things... spoken
by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." (Acts
3:20-21) Yes, not only will the earth abide forever, but it will continue, from
the times of restitution onward—improving to perfection. And, throughout
the ages to follow, with perfected man as its caretaker, the earth will bring
forth gardens of peaceful beauty beyond anything we can imagine now. Isaiah 35
As some misjudge the skill and wisdom of a great architect by his unfinished
work, so also many now misjudge God by his unfinished work. But by and by, when
the rough scaffolding of evil, which has been permitted for man’s discipline
and overruled for his good, has been removed, and the rubbish cleared away,
God’s finished work will universally declare His glorious, loving plans and
character. "As it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither
have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them
that love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9