The concept of the world ending is a significant theme in Christian eschatology, referring to the culmination of history and the final events as described in the Bible. This topic encompasses various prophetic scriptures that outline the end times, the return of Jesus Christ, the final judgment, and the establishment of a new heaven and a new earth.

Biblical Prophecies and Signs

The Bible provides numerous prophecies concerning the end of the world, often referred to as the "end times" or "last days." These prophecies are scattered throughout both the Old and New Testaments. Key passages include the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21), the Book of Daniel, and the Book of Revelation.

In Matthew 24:3-14, Jesus describes signs that will precede the end of the age: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains" (Matthew 24:7-8). These signs are often interpreted as indicators of the approaching end times.

The Return of Christ

Central to the Christian understanding of the world's end is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. This event is anticipated as a time when Christ will return in glory to judge the living and the dead. In Acts 1:11, angels proclaim to the disciples, "This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven" .

The Apostle Paul also speaks of this event in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air" .

The Final Judgment

The end of the world is closely associated with the final judgment, where all individuals will stand before God to be judged according to their deeds. Revelation 20:11-15 describes this scene: "Then I saw a great white throne and Him who was seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them... And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books" .

This judgment will result in the eternal destinies of all people, with the righteous entering eternal life and the wicked facing eternal punishment.

The New Heaven and New Earth

Following the final judgment, the Bible speaks of the creation of a new heaven and a new earth. Revelation 21:1-4 provides a vision of this renewed creation: "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away... And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God'" .

This new creation is characterized by the absence of pain, death, and sorrow, and the presence of God among His people, fulfilling the ultimate hope of redemption and restoration.

Interpretations and Perspectives

Throughout history, Christians have interpreted the biblical teachings on the end of the world in various ways. Some view these prophecies as literal events that will unfold in the future, while others see them as symbolic representations of spiritual truths. Despite differing interpretations, the anticipation of Christ's return and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom remain central to Christian faith and hope.Matthew 24:21-22
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
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Matthew 24:36
But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
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Matthew 24:42
Watch therefore: for you know not what hour your Lord does come.
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Matthew 24:44
Therefore be you also ready: for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man comes.
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Romans 13:11
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
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2 Peter 3:3-4
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
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Luke 21:36
Watch you therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
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Matthew 24:22
And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
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Before the Ending of the Day
... Tr. John Mason Neale, 1852. Before the ending of the day,. Creator of the world,
we pray,. That with thy wonted favor, thou. Wouldst be our Guard and Keeper now ...
/.../daily prayer evening 28 before.htm

Central Position of Christ in the History of the World.
... of the types and prophecies, desires and hopes of the ancient world; while at the ...
is direct and positive, proceeding from above downwards, and ending with the ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 8 central position of.htm

Of the First and Last Times of the World.
... But the things which are said by prophets and seers to be about to happen before
that last ending comes upon the world, I will subjoin, being collected and ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xiv of the first and.htm

Death is the Gate of Life
... of the world. He takes the very thing that came in with the curse, and makes it
the path of glory. Death becomes a beginning instead of an ending, for it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/trotter/parables of the cross/death is the gate of.htm

The Kingdom Conquering the World
... (a) A Gentile. (b) Devoted to Christ as the World's Savior. ... III. Chronology: 1.
Name beginning and ending dates. 2. Length of time of contents. ...
/.../palmer/a birds-eye view of the bible/ix the kingdom conquering the.htm

Masterful Dying.
... body, in mind, in social nature, in spirit, and in the eternal quality of life lived
here, and to be lived without any ending. And all the world has responded ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/masterful dying.htm

I Wonder that You with Your Consummate Wisdom have not Understood ...
... the other, that which asserts that in the restitution of the world each thing ... which
I had found stated in the Greek, I completed my discussion with this ending. ...
/.../27 i wonder that you.htm

Place of Jesus in the History of the World.
... An extraordinary movement of ideas, ending in the most opposite results, made of
them, at this epoch, the most striking and original people in the world. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter i place of jesus.htm

When Amasis the King of Egypt Sent to the Wise Men of Greece
... of God is so apparent in it, that the wisest of philosophers thought the world eternal.
We come into it, leave it, as if it had neither beginning nor ending. ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/21 when amasis the king.htm

For Godly Sorrow Worketh Repentance to Salvation, not to be ...
... are not saved; but O, it is a wonder of mercy that all the world is not ... speaking
of such a change of mind as produces a change of conduct, ending in salvation. ...
/.../lectures to professing christians/for godly sorrow worketh repentance.htm

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