Will the Universe Be Destroyed?
The Bigger Bang Theory!
Chapter 16 Preview: Will the universe really burn up “after the millennium” as is so often taught?
Many believe in a future “Big Bang Theory” concerning the physical universe, believing that it will be blown up after the “Last Day”, that they presume to be after the thousand years. Their Last Day is far different than the one in Daniel and Revelation.
Have a very close look at the “pillar” supporting the 1,000 year postponement theory.
I will quote this from the traditional KJV verses first, that supposedly supports the earth entirely melting away theory, following the thousand years.
2 Peter 3:10-13 But 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. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. KJV
First, I urge you to have another look at the whole idea of the earth burning up after the 1,000 years. Certainly the context of 2 Peter 3 mentions the 7,000 year plan, but it also explains that after the great flood we essentially had a new earth, because the first earth was “destroyed” in the flood (Genesis 9:11). Yet we know that there was only surface damage in this “destruction”. There will be yet another “New” (renewed) Earth. But more importantly, people want to rip the melting idea right out of the context of the Day of Yehovah (Jehovah) and move it forward in time a thousand years! This is not some other Day of Yehovah, it is the same one that the other 28 prophetic references refer to. The elements will melt “at His return”, period.
Notice the 5 previous references to “melt” preceding 2 Peter, in the exact order of your concordance. The melting Scriptures concern the destruction of the earth. When? During the Day of Yehovah! Notice:
[1] Ezekiel 22:20-22 People gather silver and brass and iron and lead and tin into a furnace, to blow fire on it in order to melt it. And that’s how I’ll gather you in My anger and in My fury, and lay you there, and melt you. 21 Yes, I’ll gather you, and blow on you with the fire of My fury, and you’ll be melted in the middle of the city. 22 You’ll be melted in the middle of the city like silver is melted in a furnace, and you’ll know that I, Yehovah, have poured out My fury on you.—Gabriel Bible
[2] Amos 9:5 & 13 For the Sovereign, Yehovah the Warrior King, is the One who touches the land and it MELTS, and everyone who lives in it will mourn, and it will rise up wholly like the River, and sink again, like the River of Egypt. ... 13 “The time is coming,” declares Yehovah: “When the plowman will overtake the harvester, and the one treading grapes pass the one sowing seeds, and sweet wine will drip from the mountains, and the hills will melt away.
[3] Nahum 1:5 The mountains quake before him, and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at His presence, the world, and everyone who lives on it.
Psalm 46 is all about mountains melting WHEN Yehovah returns, interestingly in the same context it mentions what is undoubtedly New Jerusalem:
[4] Psalm 46:4-6,9 There is a river with streams that make the city of Elohim (God) glad, the very Tabernacle’ of the Highest One. 5 Elohim is in her midst. She wont be ‘shaken’ [Literally: totter, shaken, slip, be moved], Elohim will HELP HER at the break of dawn. 6 The nations were in chaos. The kingdoms tottered. He raised His voice and the earth melted. [No, certainly not all of it.]... 9 He causes wars cease tin the remotest parts of the earth. He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear. He burns the chariots in the fire.
So why assume that this next “melt” reference is any different:
2 Peter 3:5-13 They deliberately ignore that the Heavens have existed since antiquity, and that the continents rose up from the water, and are sustained by water, by the Word of Aloha, 6 and that by means of this same water, the previous world was covered again and destroyed. 7 The Heavens and the earth that now exist are preserved by His Word, and awaiting the fire of Judgment Day, and the destruction of the wicked. 8 But dear Friends, dont forget this one thing: A day to YHVH is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day [1]. 9 YHVH wont delay in keeping His promises, as some leaders delay theirs. No, He is being patient for your sake, because He doesnt want anyone to be destroyed, but that everyone should have a change of mind. 10 Yet the Day of YHVH will come like a thieving false “minister in a time of moral stupidity and darkness [2], when the Heavens will suddenly pass by [3] with a great noise, and the former things will be dissolved by being set on fire, and the surface of the earth and the things being done on it wont be found [4]. 11 Since all these things will be dissolved [5], what kind of people should we be in devout conduct, and reverence, 12 anticipating and desiring the coming of the Day of YHVH, when the heavens being tried in the fire will be dissolved [or unfastened, set free], and the former things being ignited will melt? 13 But we’re looking forward to New Heavens and a New Earth as He promised, where the righteous live.
[1] Here is a good explanation, except for the conclusion, that obviously misfired. The end of this age is likely in 2027 AD! [2] Perhaps too much is being read into the figurative explanation of this “thief in the night” passage, but who doesnt equate the darkness of night with evil? [3] “Parerchomai” could also refer to when the New Heavens will “2) come near, come forward, arrive”. [4] The Greek manuscripts say that the earth (land) “will be burned up” instead of “wont be found”. Revelation describes widespread environmental damage, but not utter destruction. Malachi 4:5-6 predicts that Elijah will come and prevent the earth’s being “annihilated”. Matthew 24:29 describes the same type of cosmic events described here, as following the Tribulation, and that is precisely when the Day of Yehovah begins. Hebrews 1:10-12 describes the ultimate renovation of the universe! [5] Very destructive, seemingly “end of the world” sounding language, including the earth being “dissolved” is also found in Isaiah 24:19-23 “The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. 20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard...” (KJV), during the Day of Yehovah (the “Lord”)—just before the “millennium”.
I am looking for this New Heaven and New Earth to immediately follow “the Day of Yehovah”, “the Day of Elohim”. None of the prophecies of the Tanakh mention a 2 step plan where the greatest events in history are separated by a 1,000 year interval. Every single prophecy uses simple “before” and “after” terminology. There is a great deal of fiery talk about the end times, and it will be horrific, but the planet will not be incinerated.
(As an aside concerning the fiery return: Two very interesting differences that I found while comparing every Greek verse to the Aramaic are found in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8. The Aramaic is in agreement with 1st Corinthians 15:1-2, about the dead being raised, while the Greek translations only promise “rest”, “relief” or “repose”, at this most critical time. Yet up to hundreds, or even thousands of years in the grave should be enough rest! Then there is a unique (so far as I know) disagreement among translators as to where to put the “burning fire”-some put it in verse 7, others in verse 8. This may stem from an even more important difference-WHO IS IN THE FIRE! The 16 Greek versions I looked at all had Yeshua (Jesus) and the “angels” in the fire, while the four Aramaic versions I checked had the wicked in the fire, as so many prophecies explain, such as Malachi 4:1-3. I think I can guess who is responsible for having Yeshua in the fire, while the dead in Messiah keep on sleeping!)
Does Yeshua need to wait 1,000 years to sit on His throne? And do the envoys (apostles) also have to wait until the millennium is over to get their thrones and begin judging Israel? Matthew clearly established when the New Earth comes into existence?
Matthew 19:28 Yeshua told them, “I assure you that when the Human Son sits on His magnificent throne on the Renewed Earth, those of you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, presiding over the twelve tribes of Israel. GB
The 4 Aramaic versions I checked all say “the New World”, essentially as I did. But the Greek implies that the earth is “renewed”, and I suspect that the Aramaic would to if I could actually read Aramaic. The Online Bible Greek Lexicon compares “new” or “paliggenesia” to “the renovation of the earth after the deluge”.
This is significant. Check it out in these other modern versions:
Matthew 19:28 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. NIV
Matthew 19:28 Jesus replied, "I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. NLT
Matthew 19:28 Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ESV
Matthew 19:28 And Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. NASB
Matthew 19:28 Jesus said to them, "I tell you with certainty, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne in the renewed creation, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, governing the twelve tribes of Israel. ISV
I just cant imagine any connection between the New World and a quantum leap of any kind postponing the New World until after the Satanic rebellion. The New or Renewed Earth of Matthew 19 just doesnt appear to be staging for some big event in the future, it is the big event!
The New Earth is for humans, people, not some sort of new spiritual realm:
Isaiah 65:17-25 I’m creating a New Heavens and a New Earth, and the former things wont be remembered, or come to mind! 18 But be glad and celebrate forever in what I create, because I’m creating Jerusalem for rejoicing, and her people a joy. 19 I’ll celebrate in Jerusalem, and take delight in My people, and there will no longer be heard in her the sound of weeping and crying. 20 Never again will there be an infant who lives for only a few days, or an old man who hasnt lived out his days. A son who only lives to be a hundred years old would die young, because a family member who dies at one hundred years of age would be cursed. 21 They’ll build houses, and inhabit them, and they’ll plant vineyards, and eat the fruit. 22 They wont build homes for others to live in, and they wont plant for others to harvest. My people will live as long as the trees, and My select will long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They wont labor in vain, or bear children doomed to misfortune, because they are the descendants of the blessed of Yehovah, and their offspring with them. 24 Before they call, I will answer. While they are still speaking, I’ll hear. 25 The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like an ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They wont hurt or destroy in all My kadosh mountain”, declares Yehovah.
It will arrive instantly! It’s the birth, not the conception.
Isaiah 66:7-15 Before she had any labor pains, yes, before any pain she gave birth to a son. 8 Who has heard of such a thing? Who has ever seen such a thing? Can a country be born in one day? Can a nation be born instantly? Yet as soon as Zion had labor pains, she gave birth to her children! 9 Would I bring to the moment of birth, and not bring about the delivery?” Asks Yehovah, “Would I, the One who brings about births shut the womb?” Asks your Elohim. 10 Celebrate with Jerusalem and be happy for her. Everyone who mourns over her should be extremely delighted. 11 You can nurse and be satisfied with her comforting breasts. You can drink deeply and be delighted with her overflowing* splendor. 12 Yehovah says, “I’ll extend peace to her like a river, and the splendor of the nations like an overflowing stream. You’ll nurse and be carried on her side, and dandled on her knees! 13 As a mother comforts her child, that’s how I’ll comfort you, and you’ll be comforted in Jerusalem. 14 When you see it, you’ll feel like celebrating, and your bones will flourish like tender grass, and the hand of Yehovah will be apparent to His servants, but He’ll be angry with His enemies. 15 Yehovah will come with fire, and His chariots will be like a whirlwind! He will return with fierce anger, He will punish them with flames of fire.
I do see an evolution, but no punctuated equilibrium.
Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of His dominion and prosperity there will be no end, from David’s throne and over His kingdom, arranging it and maintaining it, with justice and righteousness from that time on—forever.
Certainly the people who live and die during the millennium will be judged as righteous or wicked, but aside from the four verses in Revelation 20, concerning the final generation of new Satanists, we have no further revelation about that distant period.
The very basis of the 1,000 year postponed Judgment theory is strictly based upon the mention of Satan in Rev 20. The presumption is that since this “footnote” mentions what will happen to Satan in a thousand years, that everything else in the book of Revelation following that mention, must necessarily also be after a thousand years. It’s an interesting speculation, but is there any internal evidence to support that in the rest of the Revelation? For that matter, is there a postponement mentioned anywhere else in the Bible? This postponement is no more valid than the Jewish efforts to postpone the Feast Days. But this appointed time will not be postponed.
Let’s look for some internal evidence. Proponents had a bit of help in verse 5.
Revelation 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. KJV
It appears that Judgment Day is postponed here, but this is a very rare addition to the inspired text, not found in the earliest Syriac and Aramaic manuscripts, or the earliest Greek manuscripts, such as the Codex Sinaitic and Codex Alexandrine. While the Aramaic closely follows the Majority texts, the oldest texts do verify that the alleged “rest of the dead” (postponed Judgment Day) was inserted into the newer generation texts.
The Judgment Day prophecies are not pre millennial and post millennial. The first and second resurrection clearly occur at the end of this age. Judgment Day will be a time of final Judgment, not only for many of the living during this year, but also for all of those who have ever lived in the past:
Daniel 12:1-2 AT THAT TIME, Michael will take a stand, the great leader who stands for your ‘countrymen’, and there will be a time of trouble [the great Tribulation], such as there has never been since the first nation up until that time, AND AT THAT TIME [during the “time of the end!”] your people will be rescued, everyone whose names are still found {niphal} recorded in the Book [of Life]. 2 The abundant number of people sleeping in the dust of the earth will awaken, some of them to everlasting life, and the others to shame and everlasting contempt.
John quoted Yeshua on this same topic:
John 5:28-29 Dont be amazed at this, because the time is coming when everyone in their graves will hear His voice 29 and come out, those who have done good things to the Resurrection of Life, and those who have committed evil to the Resurrection of Condemnation.
That whole thing about Elohim hanging out alone in heaven for a thousand years also appears to be quite unbiblical to me, as explained: here. In what I believe to be the most revealing Judgment account, both Father and Son are present-no 1,000 year long delay:
Daniel 7:9-13 I watched until thrones were placed, and the ANCIENT OF DAYS was seated. His clothing was as white as snow, and the hair on His head was like pure wool, His throne was like fiery flames, and its wheels were like a burning fire. 10 A fiery stream flowed before Him. Millions ministered to Him, and one hundred million stood before Him. the Judge was seated, and the BOOKS were opened, [as in Revelation 20:12]. 11 I kept watching due to the powerful voice that the horn spoke with, I watched until the BEAST WAS KILLED, and its body was destroyed, and it was put into a blazing fire. 12 As for the other Beasts, their sovereignty was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a specified period of duration. 13 In my vision that night I saw One like the SON OF MAN who came with the clouds of the sky, and as He was approaching the Ancient of Days, they escorted Him into His presence.
Daniel chapter 7 is a very detailed account about the Great White Throne Judgment Day. It is a parallel account of the very same events that John saw, right down to the destruction of the beast in Revelation 20:10 equating with Daniel 7:11. Daniel 7 is the easiest way to date stamp the White Throne Judgment:
Revelation 20:10-12 The Accuser who seduced them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the ravenous beast and the false prophet were thrown. They’ll be tormented day and night for a period of time, an age. 11 Then I saw a ‘large’ white throne, and the One who was sitting on it. The earth and sky fled for safety [7], and their location [or place] wasnt found. 12 I saw the dead, those of lower status [small] and the highly esteemed [great] standing in front of the throne, and the small books were opened, including the small Book of Life. The dead were judged by the things that were written in the books, based on what they had done [or “their works”].
[7] If the covenant with 1,000 generations of humanity is honored, then we still need the earth intact: (Deuteronomy 7:9, 1 Chronicles 16:15, Psalms 105:8).
Here is more internal evidence that Revelation 21 is in the same time frame as the rest of the book:
Revelation 21:2-3 I saw the kadish city, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of the sky from YHVH, like a bride adorned for her husband. 3 I heard a loud voice from the sky say, “Look, YHVH’s tabernacle [dwelling place] is among humanity [anthropos]. He will live with them and they’ll be His people, and YHVH will be with them, yes YHVH Himself will be with them.”
We are STILL talking about the BRIDE. This isnt about some 1,000 year old news!
Next verse:
Revelation 20:4 I saw thrones, and those who were seated on them, and judicial authority was given to them, and I saw the bodies of those who were beheaded for the TESTIMONY OF YESHUA [the ‘NT’] and for the WORD OF Aloha. These are the ones who hadnt worshiped the ravenous beast, or his icon, nor had they accepted his mark on their forehead or on their hand. They lived and reigned with their Messiah during those thousand years. 5 This is the first resurrection.
Exactly when is this talking about? Why do so many people take a mental 1,000 year leap here? As soon as “the veil that is spread over all nations” is removed from humanity “He will SWALLOW UP DEATH in victory; and the Lord GOD will WIPE AWAY TEARS...”. This is about the people living into the very beginning of the Kingdom! People will live their entire lives in the sure knowledge of eternal life (tho some will still choose eternal death).
Isaiah 25:6-9 On this mountain, Yehovah the Warrior King will prepare a ‘lavish’ banquet using the ‘best foods’ for every nation, a banquet with well aged wines, of ‘choice’ pieces full of marrow, and refined wines. 7 On this mountain He’ll remove the ‘covering that looms over’ all people, the veil that ‘overshadows’ every nation. 8 He will devour death forever! The Sovereign Yehovah will wipe away the tears from every face. He’ll eliminate the scorn of His people from the entire earth. Yehovah has spoken! 9 Israel will be saying in that day: This is our Elohim! We have been waiting for Him to rescue us! This is Yehovah! We’ve been waiting for Him. Let’s rejoice and celebrate His rescue!”
In the next chapter we are still talking about the end time players:
Revelation 21:9 One of the seven Messengers who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues [catastrophes] came to me, and said, “Come, I’ll show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.”
I see no indication that the context has taken a giant leap into the future.
Backtracking a bit back to the 144,000 we read:
Revelation 7:16 They wont hunger or thirst any more, nor will they be ‘overcome’ by the sun or burning heat,
Does this mean we are reading about spirit born beings? Couldnt this JUST be another reference to what Isaiah explained? Isaiah 49:10 describes these exact same events, the end of “hunger”, “thirst”, “heat”, “sun”, along with “springs of water” in the context of survivors of the Great Tribulation, from all twelve tribes of Israel returning to the land of Israel during the Second Exodus, at the beginning of the Everlasting Kingdom!
Isaiah 49:8-12 This is what Yehovah says: In an acceptable time have I answered You, and in a day of deliverance I have helped You. I’ll protect You and give You to the people as a covenant, to restore the land, and to repossess its desolate heritage. 9 You will say to the prisoners: Come out’ and to those who are in darkness: Show yourselves’! They’ll be My sheep, grazing along the roads and finding pastures on every high places that was previously bare. 10 They wont hunger or thirst, nor will the heat or sun beat down on them, because the One who has mercy on them will lead them. He’ll guide them to springs of water. 11 I’ll turn all My mountains into roads, and My highways will be elevated. 12 They will come from far away! They will come from the north and from the west, and they will come from Australia.
I dont see the remotest chance for a 1,000 year long postponement of anything in the Bible. Nothing I’ve seen even needs any explanation beyond the immediate context.
Psalm 145:13 Your kingdom is an Everlasting Kingdom. Your dominion endures thruout every generation. Yehovah is faithful in all His words, and loving in everything He does. [Clarke’s Commentary]
Isaiah 45:17-18 Israel will be liberated by Yehovah with an everlasting liberation. You wont be ashamed or humiliated for ages everlasting. 18 This is what Yehovah says who created/transformed the universe, the Elohim who originally created the earth and put it in order, who established it, and didnt create it as a desolate wasteland, who formed it to be inhabitedI am Yehovah, and there is no other.
Ezekiel 37:21-28 Then tell them: The Sovereign Yehovah says: I’ll take the Israelites from among the nations where they’ve gone, and gather them from all around, and bring them back into their own land, 22 and I’ll make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. One king will be over all of them, and they’ll never be two nations again, or into two kingdoms. 23 They wont defile themselves any more with their idols, or with their detestable things, or with any of their rebellion, but I’ll save them out of all their dwelling places, in that they’ve sinned, and will cleanse them, so will they be my people, and I’ll be their Elohim. 24 My servant David will be their king, and they will all have one shepherd, they’ll also walk in My ordinances, and obey My statutes, and do them. 25 They’ll live in the land that I’ve given to Jacob My servant, that your ancestors lived in. They’ll live there, they, and their children, and their grandchildren, forever, and David My servant will be their leader forever. 26 I’ll make a covenant of peace with them. It will be an Everlasting Covenant with them, and I’ll establish them, and multiply them, and set My Temple among them forever. 27 My tent will also be with them, and I’ll be their Elohim, and they’ll be My people. 28 The nations will know that I am Yehovah who makes Israel kadosh, when My Kadosh Place is among them forever.
Daniel 2:44 In the days of those kings the Elohim of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will its sovereignty be left to another people, but it will break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it will stand forever.<
Daniel 4:3 How great are His signs and how mighty are His wonders! His kingdom is an Everlasting Kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation.
Daniel 7:13-18 In my vision that night I saw One like the Son of Man who came with the clouds of the sky, and as He was approaching the Ancient of Days, they escorted Him into His presence. 14 He was given rulership, and splendor, and a Kingdom, so that all the people, nations, and languages would serve Him. His Kingdom is an Everlasting Kingdom that wont pass away, and His Kingdom is one what will never be destroyed. 15 As for me, Daniel, my spirit was grieved within my body, and the thought of the visions troubled me. 16 I approached one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me, and allowed me to understand the interpretation of these things. 17 These four great Beasts represent four kings, who will rise to power out of the earth. 18 But the kadishea (saints) of the Highest One will receive the kingdom, and possess the Kingdom forever, even forever and ever
Luke 1:32-33 He’ll be great and will be called “the Son of the Most High”, and YHVH Aloha [God] will give Him the throne of His ancestor David. 33 He’ll rule over the descendants of Jacob forever in His Everlasting Kingdom”.
2 Peter 1:11 This is how you can be granted a ‘welcome’ entrance into the Everlasting Kingdom of our Master and Life Giver, Yeshua Messiah.
I recommend that you check out Frank L. Caw Jr’s Why Earth Will Never Be Annihilated for more evidence. He lists, in passing, most of the above references without quoting them, including the words that inspired my first book:
I have spent quite a bit of time pondering this:
Chapter 17 is The Mysteries of New Jerusalem
