THIS absorbing topic is frequently made a subject of conjecture and theory, while on the pages of His open Word God has plainly revealed that which will assuredly come to pass in the transition of the ages.
While theories of a final, overwhelming crisis are being mooted, it is fitting to refer to Divinely recorded statements as to the ultimate destiny of this globe. Nor let the fact that a human hand has written them lessen the weight of their eternal value, since it has pleased God to speak to man by men, choosing whomsoever He will.
In second Peter, third chapter, tenth verse, we read: “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.”
Thus, at a time foreknown, will this earth cease to rotate and revolve, when “the Unchangeable One” (God the Son) (Heb. 1:1111They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; (Hebrews 1:11)) shall fold up the heavens as a garment used and worn out, and change them for new heavens and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Other scriptures may be mentioned, such as Revelation, twentieth chapter, eleventh verse, and twenty-first chapter, first verse, telling of the finish of the day of the Lord, when, according to Acts, seventeenth chapter, thirty-first verse, He, the ordained Man, will judge the world in righteousness; and also, as the Unchangeable One, whose power caused worlds to come into existence, and who now upholds them, will cause heaven and earth to pass away and make all things new.
Were our purpose to develop prophetic incidents we might dwell on this subject, but as these scriptures show that, by no chance, does calamity happen to this sphere, we would consider briefly another development in the ways of God concerning this earth.
Ere the moment of its transition arrives, from old to new, a day is coming called “the day of the Lord.” We understand this simply to mean a day in which the Lord has everything His own way. And a day with Him is as a thousand years, and this exact time is mentioned in Revelation, twentieth chapter, fourth verse, as the length of the time in which He reigns. By “the Lord” we understand “the Lord Jesus Christ,” who shall reign over all.
Space forbids it, and our purpose does not require it, but numerous passages of Scripture show plainly the character of things during that reign, and that it will be a reign of unparalleled earthly blessing. We therefore only mention two scriptures to our point. Hebrews, eighth chapter, eleventh verse, is a direct quotation from Jeremiah, thirty-first chapter, and speaks of “days that come,” in which “all shall know Me, saith the Lord.”
Now it must be apparent to all that we are not living in those days. They are yet to come. And no celestial phenomenon will prevent those days coming.
Also Isaiah, eleventh chapter, ninth verse, states that “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.”
And may we ask you, dear reader, “Do you know Him? Is the Lord Jesus Christ known to you?”
We live in a day of much learning, much knowledge, Biblical, scientific and otherwise; but does your knowledge compass a knowledge of God? “Because you cannot know God without Christ; nor know the Father without the Son” (John 14:66Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)). That knowledge is linked up with, “Their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more” (Heb. 8:1212For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. (Hebrews 8:12)).
The microscope has enabled us to fathom many otherwise inscrutable wonders, and the telescope has enabled us to observe overwhelming power, but is the Person behind all this splendor still unknown to you?
Yet God has determined to have a day to Himself, when He will be known by all on the earth; but, before that day comes, severe judgments will sweep this earth, for it is “when God’s judgments are in the earth the people shall learn righteousness” (Isa. 26:99With 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. (Isaiah 26:9).) And ere that day come the Gospel, as at present preached, shall cease, and the Man (Christ Jesus) who is now presented as a Saviour for perishing sinners (as are all, for all have sinned) shall rise up and close the door of mercy. Then will He take the scepter; then will He reign over this world, and subject all to the will of God.
Beloved reader, “Now is the day of salvation, now is the accepted time,” or the time when you may be accepted through the efficacy of the precious blood of Christ shed to atone for sin! Depend upon it, the first, most vital, most important knowledge to possess is that your condition is sinful before a sin-hating God, causing you to own it to the Lord Jesus Christ (the Sole Mediator between God and Men), and to receive pardon and eternal life.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The One who created so wisely can love even you and me. L. O. L.