Will the World Come to an End Soon
Matthew 24:3 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?
The word world is the greek word Aion- meaning age. This word is best understood as a period of time in history. It is like when we today refer to the Dark Ages. That was a period in time marked by ignorance, poverty, death, an religious domination. The disciples were not asking when is the world going to be destroyed? No. What they were asking is this. When will you return and be king over the nation of Israel and end Gentile rulership.
Since childhood these men had been taught by the scribes that when the Messiah returns he would restore the nation of Israel. So, had the scribes been teaching propaganda? No. When Christ returns the second time, he will restore the nation of Israel to a place of honor, and this present age will come to an end. The world will no longer be dominated by self-centered politicians, godless dictators, ruthless tyrants. There will no longer be famine, and poverty. This age will end as we know it. This new age is referred to as the Millennium.
Man's history can best be placed into 4 categories.
- From creation until the flood
- From the flood until the millennium
- From the Millennium until New Heavens and New Earth
- From New Heavens and New Earth until Eternity
We are presently living in the second age. This age will end when Christ returns and sets up his kingdom in the Jerusalem.This new age will last 1000 years and wil be called the Millennium.
At the end of the Millennum, there will be a great war, all the ungodlly will gather together for one last fight against God, fire will rain from heaven, and the earth will be completely restructured, but this subject is for another time.