THE END OF ALL THINGS

                    When Peter wrote to the first-century disciples of Christ, he told them very plainly:  the end of all things is at hand (1Pet.4:7).  Most Bible scholars pretty much agree that Peter penned his two letters around AD 63-65.  As we read this exhortation from Peter it is important to notice not only the historical context (mid/late 60's prior to the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of The Temple in AD 70), but also Peter's authoritativeness.  As one of Twelve Apostles, Peter's credentials were bolstered in two specific ways.  First, he was taught by Jesus (cf. Mk.13:3ff).  Secondly, just prior to His ascension Jesus promised to send The Holy Spirit to aid the apostolic band:  to teach (them) all things and to bring to (their) remembrance all that (Jesus) had said to them (Jn.14:26).  Furthermore, and quite per- tinent in light of the text that is before us, The Holy Spirit was sent by God to guide them in all truth...and disclose to (them) things to come (Jn.17:13).

                    Since we have no cause to dispute the veracity of Peter's words (the end of all things is at hand), we are forced to ponder their meaning.  Had Peter simply stated “an end of some things is near” there would be little or no concern about the ramifications of this text, but the fact is that Peter stated rather emphatically, “The end of all things is at hand.”  Since two-thousand years have come and gone since Peter first affirmed these words, some are compelled to redefine the meaning of that short phrase “at hand”.  Yet the same ones who take such an approach know better - - no one questions the meaning of this phrase when it is discussed in Mt.3:1-2.  All readily acknowledge that John the baptizer was declaring that Jesus would SOON make His presence felt among them.

                    Therefore we are driven to ask, “What could Peter have possibly meant?”  The only reasonable response to this question is to re-examine this text while setting aside our previous (and unworkable) presumptions.  Peter was obviously not addressing the end of terra firma (planet earth).  If so, he was mistaken!  Who among us wants to embrace this notion?  Some might argue - - “Did he not say the end of ALL THINGS was at hand and would not all things include the destruction of planet earth?  Again, if the answer is “Yes!”, then candor requires that we question Peter's credibility - - because all things (physically speaking) have not ended.

                    But there is another option or alternative that upholds Peter's inspiration and the Bible's integrity.  What if the subject of Peter's dire warning was not the destruction of planet earth but rather the dissolution of the covenantal world of the Old Testament?  Supporting this idea is a statement found in Jesus' Olivet Discourse (cf. Mt.23; Mk.13 and Lk.17 & 21).  His words were spoken directly to the apostles prior to His crucifixion:  when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that her desolation is at hand...because these are the days of vengeance, in order that all things which are written might be fulfilled (Lk.21:20-22).  Since Peter was (only) delivering a message that had originated with the Old Testament prophets and Jesus Himself (cf. 2Pet.3:1-2), it's only sensible that one ought to cross-reference Jesus' Olivet Discourse.  There we can see clearly that our Lord Jesus connected Jerusalem's impending fall with the fulfillment of all things written.  Here we also have the illumination of the meaning of the Greek word for end - - (“telos”, as in the end of all things).  The primary thrust of this word is not so much about cessation as it is about  ripening, maturation and/or fulfillment.

                                                                        Terry Siverd / Cortland Church of Christ