From Anstey’s Doctrinal Definitions:
This is not an expression that is found in Scripture, but what it conveys certainly is. It is an expression that Bible teachers have given to a specific sphere on earth where much in prophecy will be played out—particularly in connection with the Roman beast.
There are actually three spheres on earth (areas of land) where prophecy will be fulfilled. These are concentric circles, each having a wider range, and each having a different degree of light from God, and therefore, a different level of responsibility to God. These are:
• The “land”—The portion of the earth that was promised to Abraham and his descendants—Israel’s full inheritance, covering about 300,000 square miles of land. (The KJV mistakenly translates this as the “earth” in many places, and therefore, the prophetic student will need to consult a more critical translation such as J. N. Darby’s—i.e. Isaiah 26:18; 28:2218We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen. (Isaiah 26:18)
22Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord God of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth. (Isaiah 28:22); Matthew 24:3030And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:30), etc.) This is the smallest circle.
• The “earth”—The portion of the earth where the old Roman Empire once asserted its authority, and where the revived Roman Empire under the Beast will also have its territory in the future. It includes “the land” but also takes in Asia Minor and Western Europe. Some believe that since America has been largely populated by people who came out of Europe (Dan. 2:4343And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. (Daniel 2:43)), that the United States and Canada could be part of this sphere. This area is referred to by Bible teachers as “the prophetic earth,” or “the Roman earth,” or “the western prophetic earth.” It is alluded to 14 times in Revelation 8-9 in the expression, “the third part.” “The fourth part of the earth” is a restricted part of the prophetic earth—Western Europe (Rev. 6:88And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. (Revelation 6:8)).
• The “world”—This is a broader sphere yet, covering the whole globe, taking in the outlying nations.
All three of these terms occasionally appear in one passage of Scripture—i.e. Isaiah 18:2-3; 24:1-6; 26:9-10, 18-192That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, saying, Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled! 3All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye. (Isaiah 18:2‑3)
1Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof. 2And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him. 3The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the Lord hath spoken this word. 4The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish. 5The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. 6Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left. (Isaiah 24:1‑6)
9With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. 10Let favor be showed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the Lord. (Isaiah 26:9‑10)
18We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen. 19Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. (Isaiah 26:18‑19).