The End of the World
Matt 24:1-3

1-08-06

The question is, “When is the end of the world?”  Conventional thinking equates the end of the world with its ultimate destruction.  People suppose that nuclear bombs could destroy the world.  But the “end of the world” is not the same thing as 2 Pet 3:10-13, where the earth is dissolved.  The end of the world is something else and by examining the scriptures we can find out what it is and when it is.

The first clue is found in verse 3.  Notice the question the disciples ask is about “the sign of thy coming and of the end of the world.”  The disciples’ question links the end of the world with the Second Coming of Christ.

In the kingdom parables of Matt 13, we find two references to the end of the world and they both have to do with the 2^nd Advent.  In the parable of the tares, “the harvest” is the end of the world (Matt 13:38-43).  The harvest takes place and the 2^nd Coming of Christ (Rev 14:14-20, note: the fire that burns the tares is found in verses 9-11).

The second parable that refers to the end of the world is the parable of the net in Matt 13:47-50).  The severing of the wicked from the just that takes place in this parable is found in Matt 25:31-46.  It takes place at the 2^nd Advent.  Notice the fire that burns the wicked in Matt 25:41.

Now, with this understanding we can clear up two things.  “The end” in Matt 24:13 and 14 is not a reference to the end of a man’s life.  Thus, these verses do not refute eternal security.  “The end” is a reference to the 2^nd Coming of Christ.  The events preceding his 2^nd Advent are recorded here and are in conjunction with the great tribulation (Matt 24:21).

The second thing we can clear up is Matt 28:20.  Jesus promised to be with us until the end of the world, not the end of the age, as in the modern Bibles.  It is the end of the world because it is the end of the reign of the devil that is the god of this world (Rev 20; 2 Cor 4:4).

We know Jesus will be with us when he returns because he will be here.  Until then, we can rely upon his promise to be with us and to never leave us nor forsake us (Heb 13:5).

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