What Does the Bible Say About How the World Will End?

Does the Bible say how the world will end? Does the Bible say that the world will end? What is the “end” all about when the end is mentioned in the scriptures?

Does the Bible Say How the World Will End?

The Bible actually says that the earth abides forever, so then how can the Bible also declare the end of all things? You have seen the signs and placards that have sometimes declared “The end is near”. But does the earth actually end? The “end times” is more of a reference to the end of the age and not an actual end of the world or earth. It certainly does not mean the end of mankind. Jesus talked about the end of the age coming and that the end times would be like the days of Noah and like Sodom and Gomorrah (Luke 17:27-30). That is much like 2 Timothy’s description of the end of times but not of time itself. It is the end of the time of human self-rule.

Second Timothy 3:1-5 is a vivid description of what the end days will be like: “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”

The “end” is the end of the rule of Satan who is the god of this world. The end is actually the end of the age and not the end of the world or the earth. Second Corinthians 4:4 testifies to this fact: “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” The “god of this age” who has “blinded the minds of unbelievers” is no less than Satan or the Devil who is ruling the earth as we speak. Even so, he can only do what God’s sovereignty allows (Job 1).

So to say that the world will end is to lack understanding that it is really the end of the age and the age of Satan’s rule of this earth. Satan has deceived the entire world except for those who are Christ’s (Rev 12:9). The earth will abide forever (Psalm 78:69; Eccl 1:4) but there will be a new heaven and a new earth someday. The old earth will go through purification by fire as Peter describes in 2 Peter 3:5-13:

“By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the Day of Judgment and destruction of the ungodly….But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?…That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.”

So the old world will end and a new heaven and a new earth will come (Rev 21). That is encouraging for those who are believers in Christ but it ought to be a fearful thing for those who are not believers and are not born-again.

Does the Bible Say That the World Will End?

As we have read, the Bible never declares that the world will end. It is only the old earth that will be gone and the old age; a new heaven and a new earth will exist but it will still be the earth in the same sense. Most Bible scholars believe the end of the old earth as we know it today will be at the end of the millennium or after the thousand year reign of Christ and His saints on earth. Then the New Jerusalem or actually heaven itself descends out of the sky and rests where Jerusalem is at the present time (Rev 21). So we can say that heaven will be on earth because heaven is any place where God is. And it will be 1,500 miles wide, with four sides and 1,500 miles high (Ezek 41:2-4). It cannot even be imagined right now. But first the earth will be melted and all the elements in it because at the end of the millennium, Satan will be loosed from his chains and will again deceive many who are on the earth. But heaven will be untouchable forever because God is in it. Then there will be no need for the sun and the moon for God Himself will be the light. And even the ocean will be gone for the kingdom will be all encompassing then.

What is the “End” All About When the End is Mentioned in the Scriptures?

The “end” of the world is really the end of the age of Satan’s rule. His rule will end, and Christ’s reign will begin and His saints will rule with Him. Those who are not Christ’s will be judged at the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev 20). No person who is a Christian will have to go through this judgment or through the coming Great Tribulation. This judgment will be for those who have never accepted Jesus Christ as Savior. The unbelievers will be caste into the lake of fire. Satan will eventually be tossed into the abyss, a type of bottomless pit and will never, ever again tempt or deceive people. In fact, even death itself will be caste into the lake of fire and there will be no more death, no more tears, and no more sorrow. But for those who end their life not believing in or professing faith in Jesus Christ, their state will never end. Unfortunately they will be in torment forever and ever without end.

This is all the more reason for you, if you are not a believer in Jesus Christ right now, to confess your sins, admit your need for a Savior, and believe in Him as your Lord and Savior. Then you too will live, without end, in joyful bliss and eternal happiness with the Lord. And it will never end. This is what is known as eternal life.

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What Are the Biblical Signs Of Jesus’ Second Coming?

What Does The Bible Say Heaven Will Be Like?

Do Animals or Pets Go To Heaven?

Sources

The Holy Bible, New International Version

www.youtube.com ” I will Rise” by Chris Tomlin

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