The Bible speaks about the eventual destruction of the earth, reminding us of God’s ultimate plan for renewal. Through various scriptures, we are reminded of the consequences of sin and the promise of a new creation. Below are Bible verses that highlight the destruction of the earth and God’s judgment on creation.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Earth
God’s Judgment on the Earth
Throughout the Bible, God warns of the judgment that will come upon the earth due to sin. These verses remind us that the earth’s destruction is part of God’s divine justice against unrighteousness and wickedness.
Isaiah 24:19-20
“The earth has broken up. It has utterly collapsed; it is violently shaken. The earth staggers like a drunk. It trembles like a tent in a storm. It falls and will not rise again, for the guilt of its rebellion is very heavy.”
Revelation 16:18
“Then the thunder crashed and rolled, and lightning flashed. And a great earthquake struck—the worst since people were placed on the earth.”
2 Peter 3:10
“But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.”
Isaiah 13:9
“For see, the day of the Lord is coming—the terrible day of his fury and fierce anger. The land will be made desolate, and all the sinners destroyed with it.”
Zephaniah 1:18
“Your silver and gold will not save you on that day of the Lord’s anger. For the whole land will be devoured by the fire of his jealousy. He will make a terrifying end of all the people on earth.”
The Elements Will Burn
The Bible describes a time when the elements of the earth will be consumed by fire. These verses foretell the fiery end of creation, pointing toward a new heaven and earth to follow.
2 Peter 3:7
“And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed.”
Malachi 4:1
“The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, ‘The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed—roots, branches, and all.'”
Revelation 8:7
“The first angel blew his trumpet, and hail and fire mixed with blood were thrown down on the earth. One-third of the earth was set on fire, one-third of the trees were burned, and all the green grass was burned.”
Isaiah 34:4
“The heavens above will melt away and disappear like a rolled-up scroll. The stars will fall from the sky like withered leaves from a grapevine or shriveled figs from a fig tree.”
Psalm 102:25-26
“Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. They will perish, but you remain forever; they will wear out like old clothing.”
Creation Groans for Renewal
While the earth faces destruction, the Bible also tells us of creation’s yearning for renewal. This destruction is part of the transformation that leads to a new heaven and new earth where God’s righteousness will dwell.
Romans 8:22
“For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.”
Isaiah 65:17
“Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth, and no one will even think about the old ones anymore.”
Revelation 21:1
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone.”
Isaiah 66:22
“‘As surely as my new heavens and earth will remain, so will you always be my people,’ says the Lord.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
God’s Wrath Against Wickedness
The destruction of the earth is closely tied to God’s wrath against sin and wickedness. These passages emphasize the role of divine judgment in bringing about the end of the current world order.
Revelation 11:18
“The nations were filled with wrath, but now the time of your wrath has come. It is time to judge the dead and reward your servants the prophets, as well as your holy people, all who fear your name, from the least to the greatest. It is time to destroy all who have caused destruction on the earth.”
Jeremiah 25:31
“His cry of judgment will reach the ends of the earth, for the Lord will bring his case against all the nations. He will judge all the people of the earth, slaughtering the wicked with the sword. I, the Lord, have spoken!”
Isaiah 26:21
“Look! The Lord is coming from heaven to punish the people of the earth for their sins. The earth will no longer hide those who have been killed. They will be brought out for all to see.”
Psalm 46:6
“The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts!”
Ezekiel 7:19
“They will throw their money in the streets, tossing it out like worthless trash. Their silver and gold won’t save them on that day of the Lord’s anger. It will neither satisfy nor feed them, for their greed can only trip them up.”
The End of All Things
The Bible warns of the end of all things as we know them. This destruction is not without hope, as it paves the way for the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises.
1 Peter 4:7
“The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers.”
Matthew 24:35
“Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.”
Revelation 6:14
“The sky was rolled up like a scroll, and all of the mountains and islands were moved from their places.”
Isaiah 51:6
“Look up to the skies above, and gaze down on the earth below. For the skies will disappear like smoke, and the earth will wear out like a piece of clothing. The people of the earth will die like flies, but my salvation lasts forever.”
Luke 21:25-26
“And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken.”
A New Heaven and Earth
God promises a new heaven and earth where righteousness will reign. The destruction of the current world is not the end, but rather the beginning of God’s new creation, where everything is made new.
Revelation 21:5
“And the one sitting on the throne said, ‘Look, I am making everything new!’ And then he said to me, ‘Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.'”
Isaiah 66:15-16
“See, the Lord is coming with fire, and his swift chariots roar like a whirlwind. He will bring punishment with the fury of his anger and the flaming fire of his hot rebuke. The Lord will punish the world by fire and by his sword. He will judge the earth, and many will be killed by him.”
2 Peter 3:13
“But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.”
Hebrews 12:26-27
“When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: ‘Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.’ This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain.”
Isaiah 11:9
“Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the Lord.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About The Sea
What Does the Bible Say About Destruction of the Earth
From the very beginning, the Bible teaches us that God made the Earth and everything in it, and He saw that it was good. He designed the Earth to be a place of life, beauty, and abundance. However, throughout the Bible, we also see that destruction can come to the Earth when humanity does not follow God’s ways. This is an important theme, and we must understand what the Bible says about the destruction of the Earth and how it relates to us today.
One of the first stories that come to mind when thinking about destruction is the story of Noah and the flood. In Genesis, God looked upon the Earth and saw that it was filled with violence and wickedness. People were living in ways that displeased God, so He decided to bring a great flood to cleanse the Earth. But God also showed mercy. He instructed Noah to build an ark to save his family and pairs of animals from the flood. Through this story, we see that God has the power to destroy the Earth, but He also provides a way for salvation and renewal.
Another part of the Bible that talks about the destruction of the Earth is found in the prophetic books. Many of the prophets warned the people of Israel that if they continued to disobey God, they would face consequences, including the destruction of their land. For example, in Isaiah 24, we read about a vision of the Earth being laid waste because of the people’s rebellion against God. It says, “The earth is broken up, the earth is split asunder, the earth is violently shaken.” This passage serves as a reminder that when people turn away from God and His ways, the Earth itself can suffer. This theme is repeated in other prophetic books like Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Joel.
Moving to the New Testament, the destruction of the Earth is also mentioned in the context of the end times. In the book of Revelation, we read about a future time when the Earth will go through great tribulation and judgment. Revelation describes natural disasters, wars, and other events that will bring devastation to the Earth. For example, in Revelation 16:18, it says, “There came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on Earth.” These events are part of God’s final judgment on the world, but they also point toward the ultimate renewal of the Earth.
One of the most hopeful messages in the Bible is that even though destruction may come, God’s ultimate plan is to restore and renew the Earth. In Revelation 21, we see a vision of a new heaven and a new Earth, where God will dwell with His people. This new Earth will be free from pain, suffering, and death. It will be a place of peace and joy, where God’s glory fills everything. This promise of renewal is important for us to hold on to, especially when we see the brokenness and destruction in the world today.
As Christians, we are called to care for the Earth. While the Bible speaks of destruction, it also teaches us to be good stewards of God’s creation. In Genesis, God gave humans the responsibility to tend to the Earth and to take care of it. This means that we should live in ways that honor God’s creation, protecting the environment and using resources wisely. We are also called to live in a way that reflects God’s goodness, showing love and kindness to others, and spreading His message of hope.
In conclusion, the Bible speaks about the destruction of the Earth as a consequence of sin and rebellion against God. It warns us that the Earth can suffer when we do not follow God’s ways. However, the Bible also gives us hope, showing that God’s ultimate plan is to renew and restore the Earth. As Christians, we are called to live in a way that reflects God’s love for His creation, caring for the Earth and looking forward to the day when God will make all things new.