In Biblical prophecy, one of the first things you are confronted with is that some really bad things are going to happen that affect the people in the world prior to the return of Christ. Whether it's the mark of the beast, or the plagues or war.
Obviously, if you are in the world, then you would be impacted by these terrible things. And that makes doctrines such as the Rapture so attractive, because it gives us a reason to hope that we wont be in the world when these things take place.
But what does the Bible mean when it mentions the word "world"?
The answer all depends on where in the Bible you read it. We who speak English, only have the one word, but it can mean several different things to us. World can mean the Earth, a domain or a personal sphere of influence. Very much like the word universe.
For example, in Acts 15:18, the word world means the Earth.
And nobody doubts that interpretation since it fits so well in the context of the verse. But if we look at a couple other verses that use the word world, we'll see something completely different.
In Acts 17:6, 19:27 & 24:5 all use a completely different Greek word that we have translated as the world in our English Bibles.
The interpretation of the Roman empire being the "world" in this case makes sense in the context of each one of those verses. So we can see that, sometimes in the Bible,the world has a much more limited meaning than that of the whole planet.
But what does that have to do with Biblical prophecies, specifically the bad things mentioned in the book of Revelation?
Well, I'm glad you asked!
Obviously, if you are in the world, then you would be impacted by these terrible things. And that makes doctrines such as the Rapture so attractive, because it gives us a reason to hope that we wont be in the world when these things take place.
But what does the Bible mean when it mentions the word "world"?
The answer all depends on where in the Bible you read it. We who speak English, only have the one word, but it can mean several different things to us. World can mean the Earth, a domain or a personal sphere of influence. Very much like the word universe.
For example, in Acts 15:18, the word world means the Earth.
(Acts 15:17-18)It's clear in the context of the verse that it means the Earth. Also, the actual Greek word used in the original manuscript for that phrase is aiōn which means: since the eternal past, the beginning of the age, by implication the Earth. (Strong's ref #G165)
Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
And nobody doubts that interpretation since it fits so well in the context of the verse. But if we look at a couple other verses that use the word world, we'll see something completely different.
In Acts 17:6, 19:27 & 24:5 all use a completely different Greek word that we have translated as the world in our English Bibles.
(Acts 17:6)The Greek word used in the original manuscript, in ALL 3 of those verses, is oikoumenē, which means: land, ie terrene part of the globe where people dwell, region, by implication the Roman empire. (Strong's ref #G3625)
And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also
(Acts 19:27)
So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.
(Acts 24:5)
For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
The interpretation of the Roman empire being the "world" in this case makes sense in the context of each one of those verses. So we can see that, sometimes in the Bible,the world has a much more limited meaning than that of the whole planet.
But what does that have to do with Biblical prophecies, specifically the bad things mentioned in the book of Revelation?
Well, I'm glad you asked!
In Revelation 3:10 the EXACT same Greek word is used as in the three verses above: oikoumenē! (Strong's ref #G3625)
To reinforce the point that the bad things in the book of Revelation are local, instead of global, lets look at the last word in Rev 3:10 "Earth".
I'm not saying that the Rapture is a false doctrine. Quite the contrary! There are plenty of other places in the Bible that support it and I hope it does happen right now! But I'm also saying that we should keep our minds open to the possibility that there may be some twists and turns in how Biblical prophecy is actually fulfilled.
We should keep in mind a couple of things:
The Devil knows scripture also, and the ancient Jews knew scripture, but they both couldn't see how God would fulfill the prophecies of Christ before they actually happened. So I'm confident that God will have end times prophecy fulfilled in a way that neither Satan, or us, can truly predict.
You should make sure you have saving faith in Jesus Christ right now, so that no matter what happens you are prepared and have a reservation in heaven for eternity! It's the ultimate insurance policy!
(Rev 3:10)That verse is one of the supporting verses for a pre-tribulation Rapture, but clearly we can see that it also may mean that those who keep the word of Christ will be spared from the crisis that impacts the region of the middle east during the Tribulation period. The Rapture could be how that is done, or it could be that there are no Christians left in the region via beheading or emigration - both of which we see happening today in numbers that have decimated the number of Christians in the area.
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
To reinforce the point that the bad things in the book of Revelation are local, instead of global, lets look at the last word in Rev 3:10 "Earth".
(Rev 3:10)Here we have the Greek word gē (Strong's ref #G1093), which means: the soil of either a portion or the whole Earth. This word also leaves open the interpretation that the bad things mentioned in the book of Revelation are local and not global.
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
I'm not saying that the Rapture is a false doctrine. Quite the contrary! There are plenty of other places in the Bible that support it and I hope it does happen right now! But I'm also saying that we should keep our minds open to the possibility that there may be some twists and turns in how Biblical prophecy is actually fulfilled.
We should keep in mind a couple of things:
The Devil knows scripture also, and the ancient Jews knew scripture, but they both couldn't see how God would fulfill the prophecies of Christ before they actually happened. So I'm confident that God will have end times prophecy fulfilled in a way that neither Satan, or us, can truly predict.
You should make sure you have saving faith in Jesus Christ right now, so that no matter what happens you are prepared and have a reservation in heaven for eternity! It's the ultimate insurance policy!
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