Seeing the End From the Beginning

Scripture speaks of God as creating the heavens and earth. The Greek word for “created” is (bara) meaning to create out of nothing, not to reform.

Of the other end of creation Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words will by no means pass away” (Luke 21:33).

The “first heaven and the first earth” are said to have “passed away.” The Greek phraseology gives room for two possibilities. One is that the heavens and earth are swept away into non-existence, nothingness, annihilation. In light of other texts this is the proper application. 

In reference to the “first” earth it means the planet earth. The reference is to this spheroid that measures 24,902 miles around its waist, the equator, this globe that travels 18.5 miles per second in its 595,000,000 mile journey around the sun.

When and how this passing occurs are spoken of by Peter:
“Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?”  (II  Peter 3:11-12).

From the dawn of creation God has had in store the means of achieving this renovation. Now, that is advance planning. The planet earth has an outer shell or crust about twenty miles thick. Inside this is a zone called “the mantle zone” which is about 1,800 miles thick. Underneath this is a zone called the “outer core,” which is about 1,360 miles thick. It is made of molten fluids. Occasionally some of this rises to the surface and forms volcanoes. By design from the beginning God has had in store the means of renovating the earth. 

“But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men”  (II Peter 3:7).

Jesus made this promise to His followers, “I am with you to the end of the world.” There are three Greek words that can be translated “to the end of the world.”

GE is one. It is a reference to the ground, this terrestrial globe. We hear this root word in such words as geology and geography or geophysics. 

KOSMOS is a second Greek word that can be translated as earth. It means “adornment” or “embellishment.” Looking at God’s beautifully created world the Greeks began to call it the KOSMOS, the adorned and embellished. Our word cosmetics comes from the word KOSMOS. 

AION is the third Greek word translated “world.” It means an indefinite period of time. It was used to refer to an era or an order of things.  This is the word used by Jesus when He said, “I am with you to the end of the world,” meaning “to the consummation of the ages,” the end of time and history.

He who planned all that and arranged for it to happen has a plan for you.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Being with you to the end of the ages means He is with you today. Acknowledge it and interpret your present condition in light of it. Rejoice and be glad.