‘World Without End’ – Definition and Idiom Meaning: The meaning of WORLD WITHOUT END is as if in a state of existence having no end: eternally, forever. Forever or infinitely, world without end forever and ever; until the end of time. This unusual wording is taken from the King James translation of the phrase ‘saecula saeculorum.’
This curious and interesting phrase ‘World Without End’ that the Holy Spirit has impressed upon my heart lately is apparently one that is found in two scriptures in the King James Bible. One being Ephesians 3:21 and the other being Isaiah 45:17. Here are these scriptures below:
Ephesians 3:21 “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
Isaiah 45:17 “But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.”
For further exegesis, expounding, and research, here are some comprehensive reads on the topic of ‘World Without End’:
In Ephesians, what does Paul mean by “world without end”? – Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange
The phrase’ World Without End’ seems to illicit the thought and meaning that this current depraved world will go on indefinitely, but as Bible believers, we know that this physical world will NOT continue on forever… and thank the Lord for that, too! As we read, we find that God’s Word even goes on to detail how this evil and wicked world and everything in it will ultimately be burned up (even beyond that of smithereens)!
Hard to fathom, but that is what we are told. 2 Peter 3:10 “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.” Which obviously means that ultimately ‘nothing, nada, zip, zilch’ here will be left! Let that sink in for a moment…
We also come to learn that we are created in God’s image and were meant to last (live on) forever!
What Does the Bible Say About Man Intended to Live Forever? (openbible.info)
Therefore, the term’ World Without End’ apparently refers to us, the True Believers in Christ. Seeing how we are the ones who will continue to live on forever (in the future eternity with God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ) in the never-ending ages to come! Now let that sink in for a moment as well…
Excerpts from Biblical Commentaries on the topic’ World Without End’:
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary: Eternity is conceived as consisting of “ages” (these again consisting of “generations”) endlessly succeeding one another.
Matthew Poole’s Commentary: By Christ Jesus; either in Christ, in whom the Father hath displayed all his love to us; or rather by (according to our version) Christ, as the Mediator between God and us; by whom we offer up our services to God, praises as well as prayers, Romans 1:8, 7:25. Throughout all ages; or, through all generations.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges: throughout all ages, &c.] Lit., unto all generations of the age of the ages. Such is the length of prospect revealed for the Church of Christ, as the “habitation of God” (Ephesians 2:22). The meaning manifestly is “to all eternity,” whatever manifestations the eternal Future may bring. This is viewed as one vast “age” (aiôn), the sum and circumference of ages, which ages again contain developments faintly imaged by the “generations” that make up the centuries of Time.
The phrases “for ever,” or “for ever and ever,” of our A. V., usually represent the “unto the age,” or “unto the ages,” or “unto the ages of the ages,” of the Greek. The first Gr. phrase is almost confined to St John’s Gospel and Epistles; the last is distinctive of the Revelation, but it occurs also in St Paul and St Peter. St Peter (2 Ephesians 3:18) writes “unto the day of the age,” the “Day” which shall usher in the Eternal State.—On the word aiôn see further, last note on Ephesians 1:21.
Vincent’s Word Studies: By Christ Jesus (ἐν)
Rev., better, in. As the Church is the outward domain in which God is to be praised, so Christ is the spiritual sphere of this praise.
Throughout all ages, world without end (εἰς πάσας τὰς γενεὰς τοῦ αἰῶνος τῶν αἰώνων)
Lit., unto all the generations of the age of the ages. Eternity is made up of ages, and ages of generations.
Meyer’s NT Commentary: εἰς πάσας τὰς γενεὰς κ.τ.λ.] unto all generations of the world-age of world-ages. [196] This cumulation of the expressions is solemn. The αἰὼν τῶν αἰώνων denotes the eternal world-period beginning with the Parousia, the αἰὼν μέλλων, conceived of as the superlativum of all world periods (Winer, p. 220 [E. T. 309]), in so far as it, just as the last and eternal one, transcends all.
The Parousia brings for the ἐκκλησία not the end, but the consummation. Hofmann, Schriftbew. II. 2, p. 127, retaining καί before ἐν Χρ. Ἰ. (see the critical remarks), would have εἰς πάσας τὰς γενεάς κ.τ.λ., to belong only to ἐν Χρ. Ἰ., and not to ἐν τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ; for only at present and upon earth does the glorification of God take place in the church, but in Christ it takes place eternally. -End Source
Interestingly enough… in this last commentary, the term ‘Parousia’ pretty much stood out to me. Apparently, after scratching the surface by doing some research, we can find that the concept of the ‘Parousia’ occurs 24 times throughout the New Testament. So, let’s do a deeper dive into this word to find out more.
Parousia Definition: Presence, “presence after absence,” coming, another term for ‘Second Coming.’
What is the Parousia? | GotQuestions.org
Bible Verses on Parousia (Second Coming):
BIBLE VERSES ABOUT SECOND COMING (kingjamesbibleonline.org)
Therefore, as we can read and see for ourselves that once the ‘Parousia’ aka ‘the coming and presence of Christ’ happens (whether it be by rapture, our death, or His actual Second Coming), then the ‘Saecula Saeculorum’ aka the ‘World Without End’ (meaning the commencement of our new, unfathomable, unimaginable, and indescribable eternity with our Lord God and Savior can finally and excitingly begin)!
1 Corinthians 2:9 “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
On that note… ‘Come quickly Lord Jesus aka Maranatha’!
Revelation 22:12 “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”
Revelation 22:20 “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
What does “maranatha” mean? | GotQuestions.org
I hope that this interesting and informative piece somehow helped someone reading this today and especially my ‘avid readers.’ One final note: just know that as True Believers, we are to ‘study to show ourselves approved unto God.’ So, when we study by diving into definitions, meanings, contexts, exegesis, and do more in-depth research to help us better understand God’s Word, it thereby shows ourselves approved unto Him!
For after all, it is written that only the ‘true worshippers’ will worship Almighty Father God in Spirit and in Truth! So, study to show thyself approved unto Him, my friends; you will not regret it, especially when you stand before Jesus on that great day!
2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
John 4:23 “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.”
Chick.com Gospel Tract – “Friend or Foe?”
(When you face Jesus, will He be your best friend, or your most frightening enemy?)
Until next time… Maranatha!
Sincerely & In Christ,
Candy Austin
(I have no Accolades….
I am just a Nobody,
Trying to tell Everybody,
All about Somebody,
Who can save Anybody!)
My Mission is to be ‘Salt and Light’ to a Lost and Dying world,
To be an Ambassador for Jesus Christ.
All for Him and His Glory!