THE DESTINY OF THIS EARTH. Strong language used in reference to the occurrences that will take place when Jesus returns. The earth to be broken down or completely spoiled. It is clean dissolved or split asunder, made void and empty. It will be moved exceedingly or completely, absolutely shaken. Isa. 24:19 The earth to return to the same condition as in Gen. 1:2. No form, no Continents, no Countries, no Cities. It is completely void and empty of all mankind and the works of men. The earth swept off its axis and out of orbit. Isa. 13:10 The surface, the face of the earth, the islands and the mountains will be completely removed from their present places. Rev. 16:20 No man could live through such an upheaval and then find their way into the Millennium and the kingdom of our Christ.
THE GOD GIVEN LIGHT will no longer manifest itself. That means total darkness on the earth. Jer. 4:23 A shaking of the universe to take place. Jesus identified this event to be at the time of His second coming. When the stars fall and heavenly powers are shaken the Son of Man will return. Mk. 13:24-26 He further stated and pin pointed the time of His coming (parousia, rapture) as being IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TRIBULATION period. Mt.24:29 These are the days when the lights of the heavens will be shut down. Dark days indeed.
THE DAY OF THE LORD WILL COME. There can be no question but what the prophecies of the Word will be fulfilled. He will come as a thief to the unprepared, unsuspecting persons. 2 Pet. 3:10 Those who are in Christ will not be caught unawares. They do not live in darkness and that day will not surprise them. 1 Thes. 5:4 The passing away of the heavens is in conjunction with His coming as a thief in the night. They are destined to perish and the earth will become ragged and useless as an old garment.They shall be altered. Ps. 102:25-26 The heavens to disappear like smoke, with a great and exceedingly loud explosion, Perhaps the loudest sound ever heard on earth. The earth to become old and all those occupying the earth will all die. Isa. 51:6
THE ELEMENTS SHALL MELT. The basic materials that hold all things together. The destruction of the atomic structure of creation on the surface of the earth. The environment will be utterly consumed. Likewise all the works of men on the earth will be completely burned. 2 Pet. 3:10 The prophet Nahum proclaimed the same thing happening at the presence of the Lord. He also notes that the inhabitants of the earth are destroyed along with everything else. The possibility of any unsaved living through and past these horrific events is absolutely nil. Nahum 1:5 Nahum then asks, who can stand, who can endure? v. 6 Of a certainty, only a people belonging to the Lord.