THE END OF THE WORLD

Watering the Garden
THE END OF THE WORLD

Two thousand years ago Jesus used the expression, “the end of the world”. What does this mean and what is going to happen at the end of the world? Jesus compared the end of the world to a harvest where he states good will be separated from evil.
Speaking of evil seeds, Jesus says, “The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.” (Matthew 13:39-40) And also he continued, “So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just.” (Matthew 13:49) We have to ask ourselves which of the two categories would we fit into, the wicked or the just.

The disciples did not fully understand what Jesus was talking about in Matthew 24 when he gave the signs to watch for before the end of the world and they came to him privately with questions. Notice they included the return of Jesus with the end of the world. “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world” (Matthew 24:3)

Jesus describes to them the signs and what it will be like at the end of the world and concludes with this prophecy. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matthew 24:14)

We discover before his departure from this earth Jesus spoke of the end of the world once again with a charge and a promise to believers. “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:20)

We also read of the end of the world in the book of Hebrews, “For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Hebrews 9:26)

Over the years most have come to believe that the end of the world” is a time in which the world will disappear from existence and we will all be destroyed by some great calamity. But, light is shed on the expression when we take a look at the word used for world and what is really going to happen. The word used in the original text is aion which is pronounced i-on or our word, “eon” and according to the Strong’s Greek Concordance it means the following:
1) for ever, an unbroken age, perpetuity of time, eternity
2) the worlds, universe
3) period of time, age

Because of this we are able to conclude that Jesus was speaking of the end of this period of time or the end of this earth age. This conclusion fits with several other scriptures that describe this time as ending and a new time beginning. The book of Revelation reads, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” (Revelation 21:1) and also “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” (Revelation 21:5)

We again see this verified in book of 1st Peter, “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” (2nd Peter 3:13)

Also from Isaiah the prophet, “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” (Isaiah 65:17) and once more, “For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.” (Isaiah 66:22)

There are several signs which you can read of in Matthew 24, Luke 21 and Mark 13 concerning what it will be like at the end of the world, or of this earth age, if you would like more information.

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
We have learned that when we read of the “end of the world” in the scriptures, it is speaking of the end of this earth age or time and that a new age will begin.