| News and Views | July 1942 |
The End of the World
NOT so long ago a prominent radio news commentator remarked in one of his broadcasts that we arc watching a world fall apart. Thousands of years ago the prophets of the Bible, writing under inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit, foretold this falling apart of the world and have given us, besides, an inspiring preview of a new world which is to take its place. It will he God’s world in the sense that divine principles of righteousness, under the direction of Christ, then will rule in the affairs of men. This will result in everlasting peace and happiness for all nations.
The end of the world prophesied in the Bible is that which we see taking place in the earth today. Due to a traditional misconception of this subject, however, the Biblical end of the world is generally understood to mean the destruction of the literal planet on which we live. Because of this, few care to give the subject the serious consideration it deserves—most people being inclined to dismiss the matter from their minds with the wish, expressed or implied, “I hope it doesn’t come in my day.” This wish is often father to the thought that no matter what the signs of the times may indicate, the end of the world is yet thousands and, it is hoped, millions of years in, the future.
The World of the Bible
The term world, as used in the Bible, seldom refers to the planet earth. In the New Testament the term is, in the main, a translation either of the Greek word kosmos, meaning order or arrangement; or of the Greek word aion, meaning a period of time, an age.
The Greek word kosmos translated world in our. English Bible doesn’t always refer to exactly the same thing. In John 3:16 we read, “For God so loved the world, [kosmos], that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” in I John 2:15 we read. “Love not the world [kosmos], neither the things that are in the world.” Surely God would wish us to love that which He loves; so it is manifest that the “kosmos” of John 3:16 is not the “kosmos” of John 2:15. It seems plain that the former applies to the people of the earth, while the latter has reference to the sinful, selfish arrangements and associations of the people.
Jesus, in John’s Gospel, chapters 14 and 15, has a great deal to say about the world or kosmos which Christians are not to love, He tells us, for example, that Satan is its prince. He explains that Christians must be expected to be hated by this kosmos or world even as the Master Himself was hated by it. He also explains that He has called His disciples out of this evil kosmos, and that they were to remain separate from its entanglements.
Certainly no one in reading these wonderful chapters has ever supposed that Jesus was discussing the literal planet earth. Why, then, should we suppose that when the prophecies describe the ending of this same kosmos, or world, it means the destruction of the literal earth?
When the disciples asked Jesus the question, “What shall be the sign of thy coming [parousia, meaning presence], and the end of the world?” they used the Greek word meaning age. In answering this question Jesus presented a number of signs which would denote the ending of the age, and the beginning of a new age; but the circumstances of both ages are centered upon the literal planet earth, and the transfer from the old to the new age in no way implies its destruction, either by fire or otherwise.
Symbolic Fire
Just as the Bible uses the term earth and world symbolically, so also does it use the words fire, fiery, burning, etc. Note, for example, St Peter’s words, “Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.” (I Peter 4:12) We have never heard of any Christian becoming confused with this symbolic statement, thinking that it refers to literal fire. It is clearly descriptive of the trying experiences through which all Christians must pass, and by which the dross of their character is burned away.
But the righteous themselves are not destroyed by the fiery trials, as evidenced by the words of the prophet, when he says, “who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that walketh righteously and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil.” (Isaiah 33:14,15) Here, as in Peter’s symbol, the fire and the burnings are symbolic and the trials through which the righteous successfully pass are in no sense of the word to be understood as literal.
Another enlightening Biblical use of the term “fire” is that of Isaiah 47:14. The text is part of a prophecy of destructive trouble that was to come upon Babylon. The trouble is likened to fire that shall consume; but that it is not literal fire is revealed in the fact that part of the trouble—the symbolic fire—will be the lack of fire by which to keep warm. In short, there will be so much symbolic fire that there will be, at times, a lack of literal fire. We quote the passage: “Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it.”
With the clearly established fact in mind that the various terms used in the Bible which were thought to teach the literal destruction of the earth are often used symbolically let us examine the 3rd chapter of the 2nd epistle of Peter, which is a prophecy pertaining chiefly to events now taking place in the earth. The prophecy describes this transition period as “the last days.”
In reading the chapter through, done of the first points of interest to note is that in giving us an illustration to explain events in the end of the age, the apostle tells us that a world came to an end at the time of the flood, “For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out o the water and in the water: whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished.”
It was not the literal earth that perished at the time of the flood for, when the waters had subsided, the ark landed on Mt. Ararat; and there it was, right hack on the same old planet. But a world, or kosmos, ended, according to Peter. The arrangement of things among men; their methods of government, the civilization of that period, ended and a new world was started of which Noah and his family were the nucleus.
Peter further explains that just as the symbolic heavens and earth that, were before the flood, making up the, cosmos of that period, came to an end, even so shall the “heavens and the earth, which are now,” come to an end. But as the literal heavens and literal earth did not perish at the time of the flood, we are not to suppose that this prophecy has reference to the destruction of the literal heavens and earth at the second coming of Christ. Indeed, such a conclusion would seem absurd, especially when we consider that the heavens as well as the earth are included in the picture of destruction, which, if interpreted literally, would involve the destruction of the whole universe.
Significance of Heavens and Earth
In using the terms earth and heaven to describe the cosmos or arrangement of things that are destroyed in the end of the age, the apostle is merely illustrating the earthly and spiritual phases of this “present evil world.” (Gal. 1:4) And this symbolism is a very fitting one. God uses sheep to illustrate His people, because certain characteristics of sheep are similar to traits of character possessed by those who faithfully serve Him. Likewise the relationship existing between the literal earth and the heavenly bodies, aptly illustrates certain fundamental characteristics of the present cosmos or world.
Atmospheric conditions, the tides, seasons, days, nights, heat and cold, etc., here on the earth are in direct relationship with the movements of the sun, moon and stars. So earth’s society, the present cosmos, or world, has its earth and heavens, with a similar relationship existing between the two. In other prophecies the symbolic heavens are described more in detail, and are shown to contain sun moon, stars and clouds, etc. As the conditions develop which destroy the cosmos, the sun is said to become darkened, and the stars to withdraw their shining. See Joel 2:1-10; Luke 21:25,26; Matt. 24:29.
Elements to Melt
The Apostle Peter, instead of mentioning in detail the sun, moon stars, sea and waves, that combine to form the present symbolic heavens and earth, speaks of all of these as the “elements” thereof. These are to melt with fervent heat. The one word much used today which seems best to describe what the Bible speaks of as the present cosmos is civilization. What men call civilization is made up of many elements—national, economic, financial and religious. The religious or professed spiritual elements of this present cosmos are clearly a part of that which is represented by the heavens, made up of the symbolic sun, moon and stars. Already, as can be clearly seen, and as Jesus stated would be the case, “the powers of heaven” are being “shaken.”—Luke 21:26
The Greek word for elements here used by the Apostle Peter is the same as employed by St. Paul, when, in Galatians 4:3 and 9, he refers to the weak and beggarly “elements” of this “world.” Paul was referring to the elements of society as it then existed, such as Judaism, heathenism, etc. And it is the elements of society today that Peter refers to and which he declares are to “melt with fervent heat.” Viewed from this standpoint, who cannot see that the elements of this world, or cosmos, are already melting; that is, disintegrating, losing their cohesion?
The Earth Abideth Forever
We know that the prophecies pertaining to the end of the world do not refer to a literal destruction of the earth, because the Scripture tell us plainly that the literal earth “abideth forever.” (Eccl: 1:4) God tells us furthermore, that His object in creating the earth was that it might be a home for man—“thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God Himself that formed the earth and made it … He created it not in vain, He formed it to he inhabited.”—Isa. 45:18; Psa. 115:16
In Psalm 78:69 we read that the Lord has established the earth forever. Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, assures us that the earth is to be the inheritance of the meek—a poor sort of inheritance if it is to be literally destroyed at the end of the age. From these few sample statements of the Bible we can see that it is plainly the purpose of the Creator that the planet earth is to continue everlastingly, but not under the rulership of Satan, who is the prince of this present evil cosmos or arrangement under which the inhabitants of the earth are at present living.
After the Apostle Peter describes so graphically the passing away of the present cosmos—the “heavens and the earth which are now” (II Peter 3:7)—he then adds, “nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” (II Peter 3:13) Yes, as the apostle states, God has promised new heavens and a new earth. This promise is recorded in Isaiah 65:17-25. We suggest a careful reading of this entire promise, for in it will be found outlined a complete reorganization of human society—new world conditions indeed.
The prophet says, for example, that “there shall be no more thence an infant of days.” What a change that will be! It means the destruction of the causes of disease and death, which is exactly what we find the Apostle Paul to teach in I Corinthians 15:25,26, where, in telling us about Christ’s reign of righteousness upon the earth, he says that this reign will continue until every enemy of God and of righteousness is destroyed, the last enemy to be destroyed being death.
The destruction of Adamic death in the new world of tomorrow will he complete. All those who have died in the past because of Adam’s sin will be brought forth from the tomb. Jesus said concerning this, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth.”—John 5:28,29
The arrangements in vogue in the present cosmos by which houses and property are handed down from one generation to another because no one continues to live to enjoy them, will be no more when the new heavens and new earth are established. Concerning this the prophet says, “They shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat,” as they do in the present order of things.
Originally man was given dominion over the lower animals and apparently they were all his friends and friendly to each other. This dominion was lost with the fall of man, but will be restored “in the times of restitution.” For this reason we are assured by the prophet concerning conditions in the new heavens and the new earth, that then “the wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock; and dust shall be the serpent’s meat.” On this point see also Isaiah 11:6-9, and chapter 35.
While these wonderful prophecies of peace even among the lower animals during the Messianic Kingdom period—symbolized by the new heavens and new earth—will be literally true, yet it will also be true that all the warring, lion-like and serpent-like elements of this present evil world which have wrought so much human suffering, will be no more. Indeed, as the prophet so definitely assures us, nothing “shall hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain [kingdom], saith the Lord.”—Isa. 65:25; 11:9
The same symbolic new heavens and new earth are also referred to in Revelation 21:1-4. Here it is said that under this new arrangement there shall be no more sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the “former things are passed away.” Perhaps the Lord knew how difficult it would be for us to grasp the reality of a promise like this, so He caused John to add a divine confirmation saying, “these words are true and faithful.”—Rev. 21:5
New Spiritual Ruler
The new spiritual rulers of God’s world of tomorrow will be Jesus and associated with Him, His church. Satan is the spiritual ruler of this present evil world as pointed out by Jesus in John 14:30. St. Paul refers to him as “the prince of the power of the air.” (Eph. 2:2) Associated with Satan are “angels, principalities and powers,” visible and invisible. (Eph. 1:21; 6:11,12; Rom. 8:38) Satan is a powerful spirit being invisible to human eyes, and he exercises a great deal of his influence in the earth through human instrumentalities—usually that of false religious systems. From this standpoint he is, in reality, the supreme head of the present “heavens and earth.”
Early in the beginning of the new world arrangements Satan is to be hound. (Rev. 20:1-3) Christ and the church will then become the new spiritual rulers of the world. Their power will be exercised through earthly representatives, the ancient prophets and other worthy ones of the past, designated by the prophet as “princes in all the earth.” (Psalm 45:16) Jesus also refers to these and explains that in the Kingdom, people from all parts of the earth will recognize them as their proper leaders and instructors.—Luke 13:28,29; Matt. 8:11
Briefly, then, it will be through an arrangement of this kind that the governorship of the earth will again be in the hands of the Lord. Concerning it the prophet declares, “For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding. God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of His holiness. The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: He is greatly exalted.”—Psalms 47:7-9
The Apostle Peter in his prophecy, describes “the new heavens and new earth” saying that therein dwelleth righteousness. This means that the laws of God’s new world will be pure and just and will promote love in the place of selfishness. The enforcement of the laws of the new Kingdom will be by divine power so that their operation and application will be effective and complete. One of the prophetic indications of the manner in which they will be enforced is that the nation or nations failing to comply therewith will be deprived of rain—in other words, rain sanctions will then be divinely applied against the disobedient.—Zechariah 14:17
The New World
When through the prophetic pages of the Bible, we are able to take a view of God’s new world of tomorrow, we do not feel so badly that the present world is coming to an end. It hasn’t been a very good world, anyway, and the new one will be so much better that the former will not be remembered nor come into mind, (Isa. 65:17) When God’s new world is established and functioning for the blessing of the people, no longer will the question be raised as to whether or not God has forgotten suffering humanity.
God, according to Zephaniah 3:9, will turn to the people a pure language. As a result, they will learn of His love and of the wondrous provisions He has made for them through Christ. They will realize that as long ago as the first advent of Jesus He gave His Son to be the Redeemer of all mankind and thus laid the foundation for the blessings which will be theirs to enjoy, through the Messianic Kingdom arrangements. This gift of God’s dear Son is to be the wonderful token of the Father’s mindfulness of man, as the apostle shows in Hebrews 2:5,9.
The blessings of life purchased for mankind by the death of Jesus are yet to become so far-reaching that even those who have gone down into the tomb are to be rescued and given an opportunity to enjoy them in God’s new world order. Concerning this we read, “The ransomed of the Lord [all mankind] shall return [from death], and come to Zion [the new spiritual rulers of the earth] with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”—Isaiah 35:10
When we realize that the fulfillment of all these wonderful promises of God’s Word pertaining to the new order of things which He is about to establish, depends upon the inauguration of Christ’s Kingdom upon the earth, may we not more fervently than ever pray, “Thy Kingdom come. Thy will he done in earth, as it is in heaven”?—Matthew 6:10