The end of the world?

Sometimes people ask me ‘are we in the last days of this world’s history’. The truthful answer is, I don’t know. The Bible does predict that the world will end one day; but it makes clear that it will not be man who destroys it. I know that many of you will be unconvinced that God, designed and created the world. I believe that it is the only logical explanation. The Bible says that God created and that He will bring this world’s history to a grand finale. 

 

It states: ‘[1]In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.’ This statement teaches us a number of things:

 

1.             God created the Universe

2.             God is eternal and will outlive this world

3.             While God is eternal the world is not.

 

These verses also hint at the fact that there will be a new universe when this one has fulfilled its purpose. Peter, Jesus’ disciple, described the incredible scenes of destruction when this world ends but in the same breath, he said that ‘[2]we according to his promise look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness’. 

 

If we are honest, we would all like to see a world of justice, fairness, kindness and peace. The Bible teaches that this will happen one day on the basis of what Jesus achieved through his death. One clear verse from the Bible states, ‘[3]and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven’. The peace we long for is only available because the cause of sin and hatred was dealt with by Jesus’ death on the cross. God will bring peace to this world in a future day and thereafter create a new world but in the meantime, he offers ‘[4]joy and peace in believing’ to those who turn and trust Him. 

So, are we near the end of the world? No one knows! The Lord Jesus taught that these facts have been hidden from us – ‘[5]but concerning that day or that hour, no one knows’. What we do discover is that the conditions and trends of last days are described in the Bible. These lists make sobering reading as they match the moral decline, the current philosophy and the global conditions we are currently facing. For instance, end times will be marked by fatal epidemic diseases, famines and terrifying scenes on earth.

 

We need to wake up and understand the times we live in. It is vital that we get perspective and understand that we will not be here for ever. It is possible to be safe and sure of the future. Jesus said ‘[6]I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish’.   

 

 

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[1] Hebrews 1:10-12 

[2] 2 Peter 3:13

[3] Colossians 1:20

[4] Romans 15:13

[5] Mark 13:32

[6] The Gospel of John 10:28