Of course, they tell us, there needs to be no concern on our part because it will not occur within our lifetime. They give it another whopping 100 billion years – minimum. When that occurs, they say, life will not be possible anywhere in the universe. This is because, according to them, there will be no more stars that can produce enough energy to sustain life.
In essence, this is the fulfillment of the Second Law of Thermodynamics. That Law (not considered a theory) states that organized systems of matter and energy tend to become lower in organization and energy, meaning that they will eventually become chaotic and without order. In fact, unless fresh energy is supplied, these systems will eventually reach the simplest form possible – burnt out stars and galaxies.
Other ideas of how it will all end have been recently created. As might be expected, other scientists have seen flaws in their proposed theories, and some of these ideas are really unbelievable (having a lot of imagination behind them).
When looking at the Bible for an explanation of the end of the universe, there is no correlation between the two concepts. What the scientists say about it does not at all agree with God's revelation of what will happen. The Bible indicates that there will never be an end to the universe, but it does tell us that it will not be the same as it is now. There will always be an earth, but it will certainly be different than the one we live on at the present time.
The book of Isaiah provides us with two references of what will happen. These verses tell us: "For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind" (Isaiah 65:17); and: "For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain" (Isaiah 66:22). From these two verses we can understand that:
- God will create "new heavens and a new earth"
- They will continue forever ("shall remain before me")
- The present earth and heavens will not be remembered
- God's people will also remain forever – with Him.
In the New Testament, we see that the Apostle Peter was familiar with these verses. He wrote: "Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness" (II Peter 3:13). He was clearly looking for the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy.
In this verse, however, Peter adds a new element about this new universe. He tells us, by inspiration of God, that only righteousness will dwell in the new universe. The wicked and unrepentant sinners will not be found there, but only those who have turned from their sin and trusted on Christ for forgiveness and salvation.
God tells us that this life is short, and that He intends to put an end to this present evil world system. It certainly will not go on for hundreds of billions of years. He tells us, in Romans 9:28: "For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth." Now, we know that His time frame and our own are different, but we can be certain that He will end it when He is ready. Since we do not know when this will be, we are told: "behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (II Corinthians 6:2).
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Photo Credit: Unchanged; by Ryk Neethling at http://www.flickr.com/photos/rykneethling/5811680700/sizes/s/
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Sources:
http://www.wired.com/2015/08/end-universe-slightly-premature-lament/
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/universe-end-top-theories-ultimate-070000913.html#EPb0Fsg
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Keywords: end of the universe, prediction, scientists, Bible, prophecy