The end of the world is a matter often spoken about, and some are wondering when it will take place. "The world" as it is—the " present evil world "—may very soon come to an end. I do not mean the earth, but man's busy world with all that is in it. Satan, the devil, is the god of this world, and he gives all kinds of pleasures—the " pleasures of sin "—to keep man away from God.
The Lord Jesus was not of this world, as He has told us, and He is going to bring in another kind of world which will be perfect. No sin will be in it. It is called " the world to come." This He will do when He comes again.
The rulers of this present world crucified Jesus, so the world, with its pleasures, commerce, and governments, are to end, and the Lord Jesus is to reign here. The world is to end in judgment. " The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." " The day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night." Satan will then be bound and Jesus will reign a thousand years. All things shall be placed under Him.
After it has been shown how happy it is to have the Lord Jesus as King, Satan will be allowed once more to test men, some of whom will listen to him. Such is man's foolish heart! but God will bring judgment on them. After this "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." He who created the present heavens and earth will remove them; indeed He will change them and there will be a "new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."
M. W. B.