(Matt. 24:3).

 

World here is rendered from the Greek word aion, meaning age, a period of time, long or short.  The phrase, Athe end of the world@, as used here and in some other passages, means Aend of this age@ (Matt.13:39, 40, 49; 28:20).  This age, meaning the dispensation of Christ and the restoration programme, will end with the second advent, which will witness the ushering in of the new heaven and the new earth (Rev. 21:1-4).

 

It follows that the coming of Christ will mark the end of this polluted world, and the ushering in of a new one (Matt. 12:32; 2Pt. 3:10-13).  So, while the defiled world as it is today, has an end, the earth and man, following the restoration, will last for ever (cp. Gen. 9:12; Ecc. 1: 4; 1Thess. 4:17; Rev. 21:1-4).

 

Fellowship Song (HSCF 258)