THE END OF THIS WORLD

One need only to turn on the television, to see clear evidence that the world, as we know it, is falling apart.  Lawlessness abounds (the "Arab Spring," mobs flooding businesses and looting them in broad daylight, the "knockout game," etc.); the world's economy collapsing (entire nations, and even states within our nation declaring bankruptcy); terrorism brought on by political and religious differences; and an apostate church are all signs that the end is near!  But, the end of what? 

The Bible tells us that this world will end; it will be consumed by fire.  The Apostle Peter wrote:

"But the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which 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.  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the Day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?" (2 Pet. 3:10-12). 

It is true that the Word of God speaks of the end of the world in two verses (Ps. 19:4; Isa. 62:11).  The KJV mistranslates the word "aion" as "world" in five verses (Mt. 13:39; 17:49; 24:3; 28:20; and Heb. 9:26); the correct translation should be "age."  There are two verses which declare that this world will never end (Isa. 45:17; Eph. 3:21).  It will not end, but it will be purified by fire!  This same concept can be found in the teaching on the Judgment Seat of Christ, when a believer's works will be purified or consumed, depending upon what motivated the works (1 Cor. 3:10-15). 

So, as I understand it, this world will cease to exist in its current condition.  It will be reduced to a state similar to its condition in Genesis 1:2.  The purified heavens and earth are literally described as new (Isa. 65:17; 66:22; 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1).

This world is our "wilderness" on the way to the "promised land!"