The heavens and the earth are God’s domain. From Genesis, we learn that God created them, and because He is the Creator, He has every right to do as He wills with His creation. In Revelation, God reveals to us what will happen to this earth in the end. Knowing this, how should we respond?

The End of the Things of this Earth (Rev 6:12-14)

The present earth will not last forever. It will be destroyed by fire, with nothing spared. When “the sixth seal” (Rev 6:12) is opened, a great earthquake will shake this entire earth. The ground will split open, and thick billows of smoke will darken the skies so that the sun becomes “black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood” (Rev 6:12). The “stars of heaven” (Rev 6:13) point to asteroids or meteors crashing onto this earth like missiles from heaven. The image of “untimely figs” (Rev 6:13) shows how sudden this destruction will be. The very landscape of this earth will be transformed, every mountain and island will be moved out of its place. God makes it unmistakably clear: everything on this earth will be devastated and will come to an end.

Today, this truth must shape our life motivations. If all that is earthly will be reduced to nothing, it is folly for us to live only for this earth. Our works, apart from God, are like wood, hay, and stubble, destined to be burnt. Our belief in God’s Word must not be mere lip service, but must affect the way we live today.

The End of the People of this Earth (Rev 6:15-17)

When the day of God’s wrath arrives, no one can escape. Everyone (rich or poor, free or bond) will try to run and hide “from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb” (Rev 6:16). Man will try in vain to shield himself from God’s judgment. Man’s status, wealth and military power will be rendered useless. Man’s pursuit of prestige and recognition in today’s society will be exposed as empty and vain. Man’s titles or possessions will mean nothing. Nothing can shield man from the wrath of God.

The Only Remedy

This earth awaits the wrath of God. This earth will end. The only remedy for us is to choose to have our sins removed, and to be on God’s side. We must turn to the One who bore God’s wrath on our behalf – the Lord Jesus Christ who died on the cross to pay for our sins. With Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we will not experience God’s wrath when this earth ends. May the Lord help us all to be found in Him, living not for this earth that will soon end, but for eternity.