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Will Evil Re-enter the Universe?
pp. 129 - 131
This article is written in reply to the question put by a reader: "What guarantee have
we that evil will not once again enter into the universe with resultant conditions like those
described in Gen. 1: 2?" Our answer falls into two parts:--
(1)
A condition such as that indicated in Gen. 1: 2 is to recur before the ages end, but
(2)
A recurrence after the ages have run their course will be impossible.
We must now substantiate these statements, show where they differ and why.
In the first case, the reason for a repetition of chaos lies in the fact that man still has a
hand in the direction of events, whereas in the second, God shall be all in all. In each
case the answer to the question "Why?" is "Christ". In the first He is not fully accepted,
but in the second He is paramount. The former catastrophe results from the attempt of
the creature to stand alone, and the removal of such a possibility results from all, at last,
coming under the redeeming aegis.
Both Isaiah and Peter speak of a period at the end of this age that will resemble the
chaotic conditions of Gen. 1: 2. The words "without form and void" (Heb. tohu va bohu)
are repeated in Isa. 34:: "And He shall stretch out upon it the line of confusion
(tohu), and the stones of emptiness (bohu)" (Isa. 34: 11).
Closely associated with this prophecy are utterances that compel us to see that they are
identical with those recorded by Peter in his second epistle.
"And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together
as a scroll; and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a
falling fig from the fig tree" (Isa. 34: 4).
With this prophetic utterance, compare the following words of Peter:-
"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens
shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth
also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things
shall be dissolved . . . . ." (II Pet. 3: 10, 11).
It is therefore a certainty that before the end of this age is reached, conditions similar
to that of Gen. 1: 2 will be repeated, and apparently for similar reasons.
This, however, is but one part of our answer. There is a better and more blessed one.
Peter himself follows this picture of chaos come again, with the hope, "Nevertheless we,
according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth
righteousness" (II Pet. 3: 13). The guarantee that never again after the realization of this
hope shall evil enter God's universe and bring about a state similar to that of Gen. 1: 2 is