Contact
for more information:
Banstead Christadelphians
FREEPOST
SEA 10703
Epsom
Surrey
KT17 2BR

Keypoints on this page
	Despite scientific advances and space exploration, many important questions still seem unanswered.
	The Bible's answers to such questions are largely ignored.
	The Bible also tells us about the future and about the end of this world's problems.

The earth from space

From the earliest days of man's history he has exhibited an interest in the heavens and the earth. The early Babylonians plotted the passage of the stars and the planets through the sky. They produced remarkably accurate data of the movements of those bodies despite their lack of sophisticated equipment. With the information they obtained, they were able to establish calendars because they found that the movements were so regular and predictable.

Similarly, man was interested to explore his own planet, the earth. Across the world is found evidence of man's efforts in the field of exploration. In earlier times it was believed that the earth was flat. There was the fear that by travelling too far in one direction would present the risk of falling over the edge into a totally unknown. Today most of the earth has been mapped in detail. Now we not only know that the earth is a sphere but its weight and size have been calculated. It is known that it rotates and the speed of rotation is also known. Yet the earth still contains many mysteries and unexplored areas, and most of the sea is unexplored.

Ring Nebular - early star formation

Our exploration of the heavens has extended far beyond the abilities of the Babylonians. Man has been able to send space vessels to take pictures of distant planets and stars. He has landed men on the moon and space capsules elsewhere. Yet the further he explores, the more he finds there is still to explore - the edge of space still remains a mystery and many questions remain unanswered.

• Is there life on Mars or one of the other planets?
• How do stars form and how do they die?
• What will happen to the earth in the future?
• How was the earth formed in the first place?

An answer from God
The Bible does have a clear and simple answer to that last question:

‘In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.’ [Genesis 1.1]

These are the opening words of God’s revelation to man – the Holy Bible. They establish God in His position as the Creator of all things. Throughout the Bible there are numerous reminders that God is the Creator of the heaven and the earth. There are also reminders that, because God created the heaven and the earth, they belong to Him. So we read in the book of Deuteronomy:

‘Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD’s thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.’ [Deuteronomy 10.14]

There are a number of symbolic themes that are developed in the Scriptures based on the heaven and the earth. These include the relative dwelling places of God and man and the longevity of the heaven and earth. Although God retains ownership of the heaven and the earth, the Bible makes an important distinction between the two areas as we learn from one of the Psalms:

‘The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.’ [Psalm 115.16]

As we become more aware of the sheer scale of the cosmos so we should become more aware of the greatness of God. Sadly, for the most part this does not happen. However, the Bible clearly illustrates that God is omnipresent – which means that He exists everywhere. He does not dwell in a particular place as we do but is present throughout space. This is a difficult concept for the human mind to comprehend and so the Bible uses the symbolism of the heavens to signify the dwelling place of God. The ‘heavens’ is that great area of mystery, vastness and remoteness. In contrast, the finite ‘earth’ is the dwelling place of man. It is of a scale that man can comprehend. The prophet Isaiah tells us how God regards the relative positions of heaven and earth:

‘Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool…’ [Isaiah 66.1]

Throughout the Bible, the heaven is symbolic of the dwelling place of God while the place of man is the earth over which he has been given temporary control.

Another of God's answers
Man’s understanding of the universe is that it has existed for many millions of years. He strives to find its age and to discover the different times at which he thinks the various parts have been formed. While some look back to the history of the world others look forward and try to predict what will happen many years ahead. They ponder whether the sun will lose its power and, if so, what will happen to the earth and life upon it. We are reassured that nothing will happen in our lifetimes but that, at some stage, the earth will become a dead planet. As the size of the universe should awaken us to the power of God, so the immense age of the universe demonstrates the everlasting nature of God as we read in the Psalms:

‘Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.’ [Psalm 90.2]

This Psalm continues:

‘For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.’ [Psalm 90.4]

Compared with the everlasting nature of God, both the length of a man's life and the age of the earth are insignificant. Another Psalm tells us that God created the heavens to last forever:

‘Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created. He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.’ [Psalm 148:4-6]

God’s promises are always kept so we know that the heavens will not pass away. He has spoken and His word will be kept.

Heaven and earth in the New Testament
In the New Testament Jesus speaks of the heaven and the earth. We read in the gospel record through Matthew:

‘Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.’ [Matthew 24.35]

Jesus is not telling us that the heavens and earth will literally disappear. Firstly, he is using the immense life of the ‘heaven’ and ‘earth’ as a symbol of the constancy of his words and of the Word of God. And secondly, he is saying that those words are of everlasting value even if something did happen to the heaven and the earth.

Earlier in the same chapter he tells us that there will come a time when there will be major changes in the heavens and the earth:

‘Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.’ [Matthew 24.29]

Similarly in the parallel record through Luke, Jesus says:

‘And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring. Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.’ [Luke 21.25,26]

Now these passages can be interpreted in two different ways - both of which may be applicable. One school of thought suggests that these will be literal events - that there will be major changes in the skies with the sun darkening and stars moving from their normal positions.

The other school of thought is that these are symbolic descriptions of powers upon earth and that the heavens are formed, in symbol, by the ruling powers - governments, monarchies and world leaders. The earth on the other hand is representative of the common people. There is strong Scriptural backing for this interpretation. For example, the nation of Israel was described in this way. [Deuteronomy 32.1; Isaiah 1.2,10]

What then is the interpretation of the changes in the symbolic heavens and earth referred to in Christ’s Mount Olivet prophecy in Luke chapter 21? Whether we take the literal or symbolic interpretation of the prophecy the result will be the same. There will come a time of world-wide upheaval in which the politics and economics of the world will become unstable and the powers of government (the heavens) across the world will fail. This will cause such chaos throughout the world that men and women (the earth) will quail at the thought of the problems facing them. Whether these events are literal, figurative or both, it is quite clear that they herald an event which will certainly be a literal one. That event is the return to the earth of the Lord Jesus Christ. Luke's gospel record continues:

‘…then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.’ [Luke 21.27]

Many parts of the Bible speak of that time and all indicate that it will be preceded by a time of trouble. The passages in Matthew 24 and Luke 21 both tell us that there will be signs that the return of Jesus is approaching. The message is to look out for those signs and to prepare ourselves for his return to the earth. The literal return of Jesus Christ to the earth is a fundamental doctrine of the Scriptures. Those who witnessed his ascension into heaven, shortly after his resurrection were told:

‘…this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.’ [Acts 1.11]

The coming Kingdom of God
The Bible also tells us what will happen when Jesus returns. For centuries many have uttered the prayer which Jesus taught:

‘…Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.’ [Matthew 6.9,10]

Jesus will bring the answer to that prayer. He will establish the kingdom of God and then God will make him king to rule from Jerusalem. There will be very significant changes in the earth that will transform it from its present state. Jesus will work to rid the earth of all that defiles it. The prophet Zechariah speaks of major physical changes that will take place around Jerusalem as a result of a massive earthquake. [Zechariah chapter 14] Other passages also indicate the degree of change that must take place.

The effect of all this will be a renewed earth. When God originally created the earth He made all things ‘very good.’ [Genesis 1.31] The garden of Eden was the paradise of God and this will be restored when Christ returns. [Revelation 2.7] The effect of the changes brought by Jesus will be to return the earth to the state that it was in at that time and Eden will be rebuilt. The prophet Isaiah tells us about these changes describing them both symbolically and literally as new heavens and earth. [Isaiah 65.17; 66.22] These last two chapters of Isaiah look forward to the time when the world will benefit from the wise rulership of God’s appointed king. Life in the kingdom of God will be very different from today. The evils of today will largely have gone and the problem of pollution will be past. Ill health, sorrow and old age will no longer be matters of concern. Christ’s reign will last for 1,000 years and after this there will be a further great change.

The last book of the Bible looks beyond the Millennium (the 1,000 years reign of Christ) to a time when all things will be made new. In effect there will be another new heavens and earth. Then the relationship between God and man will change. At the end of the Millennium, the inhabitants of the Kingdom will comprise those that have been found faithful and the mortal population will no longer exist. God says that He will then dwell with them. The earth will cease to be the footstool of God and will become His dwelling place as we read in the book of Revelation:

‘…Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.’ [Revelation 21.3,4]

Take action now!
If you want to have a place in God's kingdom, now is the time to prepare for it. You can only do that by reading and studying God's guidance to us contained in the Bible and acting upon it. God has put the word pictures of His Kingdom there as an encouragement to us but He has also set out commandments that we must obey. If we fail to do so then the way into the Kingdom will be barred to us, in the same way that Adam and Eve were prevented from returning to the garden of Eden after they disobeyed God.

Do you wish to see a renewed heaven and earth? The choice is yours.