What Does The Bible Say About The End Of The World?

     Many predictions have been made concerning the end of the world and the second coming of Christ.  These predictions have multiplied with the coming of the year 2000.  Despite the numerous predictions, we entered this new year without major incident.  This should come as no surprise.  For years man has attempted to predict the second coming of Christ and/or the end of the world.  Yet, all such attempts have failed.  Concerning the end of the world, there are many who believe and teach that God’s children will live forever on a refurbished earth.  God will merely clean this world up so that we may live here for all eternity.  Is this Bible fact?  Will the earth stand forever, or will it be completely destroyed?  Will there be signs to warn us of the impending refurbishing or impending destruction of the earth?  Let us seek the Bible answer.
     For an answer to these questions, we need to examine 2 Peter 3:9-12.  The “promise” of which Peter writes (notice it is a singular promise) is the assurance that Christ is coming again.  Peter goes on to state that the Lord’s coming will occur as a thief in the night.  That is, no one knows when his second coming will occur (Mt.24:36).  This is not saying that Christ’s appearance at his second coming will be secretive, that he will sneak in and sneak out without anyone’s knowing it.  Everyone will see Christ at his second coming (Rev.1:7).  The part that is unknown is when he will come.  No man can pinpoint that day.  No signs will be given to warn man that Christ is coming.  After all, thieves do not tell those whom they plan to rob that they will be over Friday, March 17, 2000 at 11:00 P.M.
     You may be wondering what Christ’s second coming has to do with the end of the world.  Peter goes on to tell us.  When the Lord comes back, “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.”  The world, yea even the entire universe, will be destroyed at Christ’s return.  Peter specifically states that the earth and everything therein will be burned up.  This is not a refurbished earth; it is a destroyed earth.  The heavens of which Peter writes is not the heaven which God inhabits.  The heavens mentioned here is the place where the sun, moon, and stars can be found (see Gen.1:1).  The entire material universe will be destroyed at the Lord’s return.  After all, man will no longer inhabit a physical body when Christ comes again, but a spiritual body.  There will be no need for a physical abode.
     Knowing that these things will take place, Peter then poses the most important question that could be asked in light of these things:  “[W]hat manner of persons ought ye to be…?”  He goes on to give the answer.  We should live lives of holiness and godliness in view of Christ’s second coming.  We know he is coming, but we do not know when.  No man knows.  Therefore, we must always be ready for that day.

Do you have a Bible question that deserves a Bible answer?  Do you want more information about this subject?  Feel free to contact the Mabelvale church of Christ at 455-2548 or by fax at 407-0072.  We may also be reached by e-mail at mabelval@cei.net, and we have a web page at www.cei.net/~mabelval.  On the web page you will find archives of all of the “Ask A Bible Questions” to date, as well as other items.  Also, tune into the Search television program on Sunday mornings at 8:00 on channel 4.