In our previous post we noted our friends statement that the “following the Lord’s Second Advent the earth is to be destroyed, empty, darkened, silent, and devoid of all life… and that “nothing on this planet is going to have a pulse until after the 1,000 years”.

He quotes Jeremiah as saying, “the slain of the Lord in that day shall be from one end of the Earth even to the other end” (Jer 25:33)…They’re not going to be lamented or gathered or buried…because nobody is going to be here.”

We must however disagree with this assertion as the scriptures assure us that not only will there be people (both good and bad) living during the time of the Lord’s Vengeance, but likewise living on afterwards into the millennial age.

We have already considered two of our friends so-called “proof texts” which he believed supported his position, both of which employed highly figurative or symbolic language.

The first was found in 2 Pet 3:10 where the Apostle speaks of the destruction of the present heavens and earth. However the heavens and earth here referred to were not in reference to the literal or physical heavens (the heavenly abode) not to the literal earth, but rather the heavens referred to the present ruling powers, both religious and civil, and the earth here referred to the present order of society as it is now established, these are what are to pass away and be burned up.

We then briefly explained Jeremiah’s prophecy (Jer 4:23-28) in which the prophet employing a metaphor drawn from the Genesis account, viz. “I beheld the earth, and indeed it was without form, and void; and the heavens, they had no light,” was expressing the sad condition of Judaism at the time and the impending trouble coming upon Israel by the Babylonians.

Our friend however insisted that this prophecy implied the destruction of the earth following our Lord’s Second Advent and that, not the physical earth, but the surface of the earth, would be “burned up, leaving behind nothing but a bunch of ashes on a desolate rock for a thousand years”, thus devoid of all life.

This idea however is completely contrary to the Scriptural declaration that, “the earth abides forever,” that “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night SHALL NOT CEASE.” (Eccl 1:4; Gen 8:22)

If the surface of the earth were burned to ashes as suggested, “seedtime and harvest” would definitely cease.

Now although we explained that this prophecy in Jeremiah Chapter 4 referred to the imminent invasion of the Babylonians at the time let us nevertheless for the sake of argument except our friend’s position that this prophecy refers to events following the Lord’s Second Advent instead.

Perhaps in his haste to find some supporting evidence to establish his claims he felled to note Verse 27 where the Lord states: “For thus says the Lord: “The whole land shall be desolate; yet I will not make a full end.”

“Yet I will not make a full end” A full end of what?

The answer is found in the succeeding Chapter, viz.

“Nevertheless in those days (the same days as referred to in Chapter 4),” says the Lord, “I will not make a complete END OF YOU.” (Jer 5:18)

This implies that there will be some, who survive “those days”, and not only this, but habitable land in which to exist. Thus it is evident that the surface of the earth is not going to be burned up and turned to ash as he surmises.

As to the true interpretation of this prophecy there were in fact survivors following the invasion of the Babylonians. For although most of the people were slaughtered during the invasion, many were taken alive into captivity, and it was during this time that the land including that of the surrounding nations attacked at that time, “was without form, and void”, i.e. laid desolate and pretty much void of life for seventy years. (Jer 25:11)

It will be noted that not once is there any reference in this chapter “to the destruction that happens in “the Day of the Lord” when He comes “as a thief in the night“, as our friend suggested, the context shows this prophecy was specifically directed towards the judgement against Israel and Judah and the coming invasion of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.

Our friend then jumps to Jer 25:33.

“And at that day the slain of the Lord shall be from one end of the earth even to the other end of the earth. They shall not be lamented, or gathered, or buried; they shall become refuse on the ground.”

Although there are many prophecies which pertain specifically to Israel after the flesh (natural Israel), there are likewise many which carry duel applications, that is they apply typically to fleshly Israel and anti-typically to nominal spiritual Israel (Christendom), and to events here at the close of the age, this is one such prophecy. As it was typically applied, because the people felled to take heed to the words of the Lord and continued in their evil ways even after numerous warnings they succeeded in provoking the Lord’s anger and so he sent his servant, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon along with all those allied with him to invade the land of Israel as well as the neighboring nations about them and utterly destroyed them. (Verse 3) Afterwards when the seventy years of desolation were passed he likewise punished the king of Babylon and all who were allied with him. (Verses 12-14)

“For behold, I begin to bring calamity on the city which is called by my name [Babylon, called the “Gateway to God”], and should you be utterly unpunished? You shall not be unpunished, for I will call for a sword on all the inhabitants of the earth,” says the Lord of hosts.’” (Verse 29)

The Lord caused all the nations thereabouts to drink from the wine cup of his fury (wrath); none were spared including the very instruments with which he accomplished his work.

Thus the TYPICAL application was fulfilled, with the antitypical still awaiting a future fulfillment.

Once again we read the same text, but as from its ANTITYPICAL application:

“For behold, I begin to bring calamity on the city which is called by my name [Christendom—Babylon, now called “Confusion”, the Lord having changed it’s meaning]… I will call for a sword on all the inhabitants of the earth,” says the Lord of hosts…The Lord will call aloud from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall cry out very loudly over his [nominal] habitation [Christendom]; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth.” (Verses 29, 30)

“A tumultuous noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the Lord hath a controversy with the nations, he holds judgment over all flesh: he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the Lord.” (Verse 31)

“Hear now what the Lord says…Hear, O you mountains [kingdoms], the Lord’s complaint, and you [hitherto] strong foundations of the earth [society]; For the Lord has a complaint against His [professed] people [Christendom]…” (Micah 6:1, 2)

“Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, evil [calamity, trouble] shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind [the great storm, the great time of trouble] shall be raised up from the farthest ends of the earth. And at that day the slain of the Lord shall be from one end of the earth even to the other end of the earth. They shall not be lamented, or gathered, or buried; they shall become refuse on the ground.” (Verses 32, 33) D528

Hear again the Prophet Isaiah concerning this controversy:

“Come near, ye nations, to hear; and harken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein: the world, and all things that come forth of it [all the selfish and evil things that come of the spirit of the world]; for the indignation of the Lord is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath [taking the future standpoint] utterly destroyed them [not as peoples, but as nations, governments, man-made institutions] he hath delivered them to the slaughter; …and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness. For it is the day of the Lord’s vengeance, and the year of recompenses for the controversy of Zion.” Isa. 34:1, 2, 7, 8 (D20)

So what then are we to make of Jer 25:33 and the statement that “the slain of the Lord in that day shall be from one end of the Earth even to the other end” that “they shall not be lamented, or gathered, or buried” and that “they shall become refuse on the ground”, does this not prove as our friend states that nobody is going to be here?

No it does not! Remember this prophecy has a duel application pertaining particularly to the nation of Israel following the invasion of the Babylonians in which the majority of that nation perished under the sword and the rest were taken captive. There of course would be no time to gather the dead for a proper burial. The land then lay desolate for seventy years.

Now as relating to the Day of the Lord (the day of the “great whirlwind”, i.e. the great time of trouble), it’s very likely that many (billions) will indeed perish so many so that for a time there will be no time to cry over them, to gather them nor to bury them, especially when the world is in the midst of worldwide anarchy and the struggle for life. However this does not imply that when it is all over that this will be the case.

The scriptures inform us that in the land of Israel alone following the destruction of Gog and his allies the survivors of Israel will be burying the dead for seven months. (Ezek 39:11-16)

We will continue with our next post.