What about “the end of the world” described in the Bible? (Matthew 24:3, King James Version) Some fear that the earth will be burned up. Others are fascinated by end-time scenarios. Many have simply grown tired of being told that the end is near. But could those be reactions to fiction rather than to fact? Vised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches.

2nd Edition Scripture World End By Fire

How do you feel about December 21, 2012, the date on the Maya calendar that many have been saying would bring worldwide change? Depending on what you expected, you might be relieved, disappointed, or indifferent. Was it just another incorrect prediction for the end of the world? What about “the end of the world” described in the Bible? (, King James Version) Some fear that the earth will be burned up.

Others are fascinated by end-time scenarios. Many have simply grown tired of being told that the end is near. But could those be reactions to fiction rather than to fact? You might be surprised to learn what the Bible really says about the end of the world.

Not only does the Bible give reasons to look forward to the end but it also acknowledges the frustration that can set in if the end seems to be overdue. We invite you to consider the Bible’s answers to some common questions about the end of the world. THE BIBLE’S ANSWER: “[ God] has founded the earth upon its established places; it will not be made to totter to time indefinite, or forever.” —. The earth will not be destroyed, either by fire or by any other means.

Instead, the Bible teaches that this planet is mankind’s eternal home. Says: “The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.” —. After God created the earth, he said that it “was very good,” and he still feels that way. () Far from planning to destroy it, he promises to “bring to ruin those ruining the earth” —and to protect it from permanent damage. You may wonder, though, about. That Bible verse says: “The heavens and the earth that are now are stored up for fire.” Does this not show that the earth will be burned up? Actually, the Bible sometimes uses the terms “heavens,” “earth,” and “fire” figuratively, as symbols.

For example, when says: “All the earth continued to be of one language,” it uses “earth” to mean human society. The context of shows that the heavens, earth, and fire mentioned there are also symbols. Windows Server 2008 R2 X86 Download Portugues Isoniazid here.

Draw a parallel with the Flood of Noah’s day. On that occasion, an ancient world was destroyed, yet our planet did not disappear. Instead, the Flood wiped out a violent society, or “earth.” It also destroyed a kind of “heavens” —the people who ruled over that earthly society. () In the same way, foretells the permanent destruction of wicked society and its corrupt governments as if by fire. THE BIBLE’S ANSWER: “The world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever.” —. “The world” that is to pass away is, not the earth, but the world of mankind whose lives are not in harmony with God’s will.

Just as a surgeon might remove a cancerous tumor to save a patient’s life, God will “cut off” the wicked so that good people can truly enjoy life on earth. () In that sense, “the end of the world” is a good thing. Such a positive view of “the end of the world” is implied by the Bible translations that render this expression “the conclusion of the system of things” or “the end of the age.” (; New International Version) Since both humankind and the earth survive the end, does it not seem reasonable that a new age, a new system of things, would follow? The Bible answers yes, for it speaks of “the coming system of things.” —.

THE BIBLE’S ANSWER: “When you see these things occurring, know that the kingdom of God is near.” —. In the book The Last Days Are Here Again, Professor Richard Kyle writes that “sudden change and social chaos create an atmosphere conducive to predictions of the end of the world.” That is especially the case when the change and chaos seem hard to explain.

However, the Bible prophets who spoke about the end were not trying to explain baffling events of their day. Instead, they were inspired by God to describe conditions that would indicate an imminent end of the world.

Consider some of those prophecies and decide for yourself whether they are being fulfilled in our time. • Wars, famines, earthquakes, and epidemics of deadly disease. • Significant increase in crime.

• The ruining of the earth by mankind. • People who love themselves, money, and pleasures but do not love God. • The breakdown of the family. • General apathy toward the evidence of the approaching end. • The preaching of the good news of God’s Kingdom worldwide. As Jesus said, seeing “all these things” lets us know that the end of the world is near.

() Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the evidence is convincing, and they share their faith with others by preaching in 236 lands. THE BIBLE’S ANSWER: “Whenever it is that they are saying: ‘Peace and security! Bernard 3500ss Manual Meat here. ’ then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them just as the pang of distress upon a pregnant woman; and they will by no means escape.” —. The Bible likens the world’s destruction to the onset of labor —the mother’s pain is inevitable and comes suddenly. The time leading up to the end is also like a pregnancy, for an expectant mother is aware of ever-increasing signs of the coming birth. Her doctor might estimate the birth date; yet, even if the event should delay, she would still be sure that her baby will soon be born.

Similarly, any mistaken expectations about the end do not alter the unmistakable features identifying these as “the last days.” —. ‘If the sign that we are near the end is so obvious,’ you might ask, ‘why do so many people fail to recognize it?’ The Bible shows that when the end is near, many will belittle the evidence. Rather than acknowledge the fundamental changes during the last days, they would scoff: “From the day our forefathers fell asleep in death, all things are continuing exactly as from creation’s beginning.” () In other words, the sign of the last days is clear, but many will ignore it. Jehovah’s Witnesses have had wrong expectations about when the end would come. Like Jesus’ first-century disciples, we have sometimes looked forward to the fulfillment of prophecy ahead of God’s timetable.

() We agree with the sentiment of longtime Witness A. H. Macmillan, who said: “I learned that we should admit our mistakes and continue searching God’s Word for more enlightenment.” Why, then, do we continue to highlight the nearness of the end? Because we take seriously Jesus’ words: “Keep looking, keep awake.” The alternative, to be found “sleeping” by Jesus, would prevent us from gaining his favor. Consider this example: A lookout in a fire tower might see what he thinks is a wisp of smoke on the horizon and sound what proves to be a false alarm. Later, though, his alertness could save lives.

Likewise, we have had some wrong expectations about the end. But we are more concerned with obeying Jesus and saving lives than with avoiding criticism. Jesus’ command to “give a thorough witness” compels us to warn others about the end. We believe that even more important than focusing on when the end will come, we must be confident that it will come, and we must act accordingly. We take seriously the words of, which says: “Even if [the end] should delay [compared to what you thought], keep in expectation of it; for it will without fail come true. It will not be late.”.

The precise moment seems to be: (ESV) 11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. It's probably best to think of this as an image of what will happen rather than a detailed description. 1 However, the image is that the throne of God fills the space that the heavens and earth 2 currently fill and completely supplants them.

Precisely what happens to them seems not to matter in the culmination of history. Only the people, who are judged at this time, remain from the former world. Immediately on the heals of the arrival of God's throne and the disappearance of the old world, comes: (ESV) 1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” I've bolded the critical phrase. Wright on the topic: The New Testament, building on ancient biblical prophecy, envisages that the creator God will remake heaven and earth entirely, affirming the goodness of the old Creation but overcoming its mortality and corruptibility (e.g., Romans 8:18-27; Revelation 21:1; Isaiah 65:17, 66:22). When that happens, Jesus will appear within the resulting new world (e.g., Colossians 3:4; 1 John 3:2). Summary According to the New Testament, the world isn't so much destroyed as renewed or replaced. God will make it His dwelling place with us. Footnote: • Revelation overflows with images that are not to be taken as strictly literal.

For instance, what is? I don't think our language is equipped to describe such things precisely—we can't yet see clearly. • 'Earth and sky' often is a metaphor for 'everything' or, what we now call, 'the universe'.

If I am understanding St. Paul correctly, he's telling us that there is no way to know when this will happen -- that indeed the angels don't even know -- and that our preoccupation with it is of no consequence if we are not ready to meet and be judged by God on that day.: 'Of the times and moments. That is, of the day of judgment, of the end of the world, of the destruction of Jerusalem. It is enough to know the time is uncertain, and that death cometh as a thief in the night. (Witham) --- When the judgment shall take place the Angels themselves do not know. Paul, when wrapt up to the third heaven, may have learnt something on this subject; for he was told many things which he could not announce to man; therefore, he says, I need not write to you: it is unnecessary for us to know it.

(Calmet)' The second epistle of St. Peter does suggest fire though: 2 Peter 3:10: But the day of the Lord shall come as a thief, in which the heavens shall pass away with great violence, and the elements shall be melted with heat, and the earth, and the works that are in it, shall be burnt up.: The heavens, &c. He puts the faithful in mind not to regard these profane scoffers, but to be convinced of the truths revealed, and that the world shall be destroyed a second time by fire. Reflect that the time of this life, and all the time that this world shall last, is nothing to eternity, which has no parts, no beginning, nor end; so that in the sight of God, who is eternal, a thousand years are no more to be regarded than one day, or one moment.

The long time that hath hitherto passed, must not make you think that God is slack as to his promises, or that they shall not infallibly come to pass at the time and moment appointed by his divine providence. God's infinite mercy, and his love for mankind, bears patiently with the provocations of blind and unthinking sinners, not willing that any of them should perish, but that they should return to him by a sincere repentance and true penance, and be saved. But watch always, according to the repeated admonition of our blessed Redeemer. &c.) For both the day of your death, and the day of the Lord to judge the world, will come like a thief, &c. On the topic of fire but not the end of the world, part of the message of the Marian apparition at Akita, Japan (1973) is this: 'If men do not repent and better themselves, the Father will inflict a terrible punishment on all humanity. It will be a punishment greater than the deluge, such as one will never have seen before. Fire will fall from the sky and will wipe out a great part of humanity, the good as well as the bad, sparing neither priests nor faithful.

The survivors will find themselves so desolate that they will envy the dead.' Link: – Feb 6 '12 at 20:59.