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BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: In biblical prophecy, the term “ends of the earth” is different from the term “end of the earth.” And both of these terms are vital to understand a variety of prophecies. But while they are grammatically so similar, they mean very different things. And both can help us understand prophecies in the Bible. Do you know what the term “ends of the earth” is referring to?
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The Bible: the basis of our faith in the Church Of Christ, which answers questions about proper worship, the right relationship with God, and most importantly, salvation. That’s in the Bible.
BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: Hello everyone, I’m Bob Pellien, and welcome to the program That’s in the Bible. When learning about the Church Of Christ, some may hesitate to believe in the prophecies that point to the establishment of God’s work of salvation in the Philippines. The term “ends of the earth” is sometimes misunderstood. Some even allege that the term does not refer to a period of time, but rather to a place. The specific question that came in was from Jonathan Lakles. He asked,
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Does the “ends of the earth” in Isaiah 43:6 refer to time, place, or both? And is it even valid to prove that the Iglesia Cristo is the true church?
BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: In our discussion today, Jonathan, we’ll prove that the term “ends of the earth” is expressive of time and does not refer to a place in the prophecy of Isaiah 43:5-6. So to help us in our discussion, let’s break it down and answer these questions today.
- What does Isaiah 43:5-6 state?
- Is “ends of the earth” a place?
- What is “end of the earth” referring to?
- How can understanding the term “ends of the earth” help us know which is the true Church?
Dear friends, let’s start by reading the actual verse in question that inspired Jonathan’s inquiry. Here in Isaiah 43:5-6 here’s what that important biblical prophecy states:
Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east,
And gather you from the west; I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ And to the south, ‘Do not keep them back!’ Bring My sons from afar, And My daughters from the ends of the earth—
Isaiah 43:5-6 New King James Version
BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: Isaiah 43:5-6 dear friends, it’s an important prophecy about God’s sons and daughters being brought back to Him. As you may recall from our recent episode, we proved how the first century Church Of Christ underwent a complete apostasy, or a turning away from the true teachings taught by the Lord Jesus Christ and his apostles. Here in this prophecy, God announces how His children would be brought from afar, a place in the east, and at a time frame called “ends of the earth.”
As we have also studied, it is our faith as members of the Church Of Christ, that this prophetic place called “east” here is actually the Far East, well due to how it’s recorded in Isaiah 43:4 in the Moffatt translation of the Bible.
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From the far east will I bring your offspring, and from the far west I will gather you,
Isaiah 43:5 Moffat
BROTHER BOB PELLIEN:And in a country composed of many islands, as was recorded by the prophet Isaiah in chapter 24, verses 15 and 16.
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Therefore in the east give glory to the Lord; exalt the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea. From the ends of the earth we hear singing: “Glory to the Righteous One.”…
Isaiah 24:15-16 New International Version
BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: Dear friends, the Philippines is the only Christian country in the Far East. And in fact, it also sits nearly at the geographical center of the Far East. And it’s also composed of many islands.
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It cannot be without significance that the country which stands almost at the geographical center of the Far East, the Philippines, should also be that in which Christianity has taken the deepest root…
Asia and the Philippines, p. 169
BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: Some mistakenly think that the last part of that prophecy, which mentions that God’s sons and daughters would also come from the “ends of the earth” it’s again referring to their place of origin. We are sure, absolutely sure that it is not. And Jonathan even asked, is the “ends of the earth” a place? Does the prophetic term “ends of the earth” refer to a place? We’re very sure, Jonathan, that “ends of the earth” in Isaiah 43:5-6 does not refer to a place. Why?
First of all, the shape of our earth is round, right? Or spherical. Which then of course does not even have a place that anyone may correctly call an end, let alone a place called the “ends of the earth.” The term in the verse is not referring to a place because God in these verses has already specified the precise place where His sons and daughters would emerge from.
How so? He said, the Far East, islands of the sea, which describes the Philippines. “Ends of the earth” refers to a time as we will show in just a moment, but also important to consider, dear friends, is how the Bible or God’s words describe a place. How does the Bible refer to a place on earth? Are places described vaguely, such as “ends of the earth”, which is very vague, right?
Or when God is intending to describe a place, does He use more specific and identifiable terms? Let’s check the Bible for the answer. To do so, we turn to the Book of Acts 17:26, which records the following:
From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.
Acts 17:26 New International Version
BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: So we can see clearly here from this example, dear friends, that when God identifies a place, it’s not given in vague terms, as this example shows the specific boundaries of their land, or a nation is known to God.
So then what is “end of the earth” referring to? “End” singular, which often appears in prophecies, it’s different from “ends” plural, right? What changes though, by adding the letter “S”? What should we understand is the difference? Since the world does not have an endpoint with regards to place as we’ve already discussed, does the earth, however, have an end?
Yes. Does the world wherein we dwell have an end in so far as its period of existence, as far as time is concerned? Absolutely yes. And why are we so sure? Does the Bible speak of the end? Let’s continue turning to the Holy Scriptures. Matthew 24:3 I quote the words of the Lord:
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
Matthew 24:3 King James Version
BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: Dear friends, it’s so important to note here that the disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, when asking the questions concerning the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, they began their questioning with the word “when.”
What then clearly were they asking about? They were asking about time, not place. A time when this world’s existence, as we now know it, would come to an end. And how did our Lord Jesus Christ respond to their question? Let’s return to the book of Matthew, chapter 24 we’ll just go ahead to verse 33:
So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!
Matthew 24:33 New King James Version
BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: Jesus did not answer them providing a location because “end of the earth” is definitively a time, not a place. Jesus did not answer them by providing a calendar date. However, he clearly identified the time frame. How so? By telling his disciples that they would seize certain things, and when they see them, they would know that the time of his return and the end of the world is at hand, at the doors.
Dear friends, what were those “these things” that Jesus was referring to, which would show that the time of the end is truly near? Let’s just return to Matthew chapter 24 and we’ll read verse six and seven, whether these things were clearly identified by the Lord Jesus Christ:
And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.
Matthew 24:6-7 New King James Version
BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: Here Jesus describes the signs or events signaling his imminent return and the nearing end of this world. So the “end” of the world indicates the time when our Lord Jesus will return. And this world is then to be burned up, as also taught by the Apostle Peter in 2nd Peter 3:7,10.
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But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
2 Peter 3:7,10 New King James Version
BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: So, dear friends, the term “ends of the earth” with the letter “S”, it’s different from the term “end of the earth”. The “ends” is the time when the end is near and is identified by the Lord Jesus Christ with these signs, one of which is the Great War, where kingdoms of the world would be embattled against each other.
We just need, dear friends, to look into history and ask, was there such an international war that has been recorded in history? Yes, world war broke out on July 27th, 1914. The term “ends of the earth” therefore refers to the time beginning on July 27th, 1914, when the World War broke out and the series of signs that followed were chronologically fulfilled.
Is there another statement of the apostles that shows they understood Earth’s existence to have an end, and that “ends” or “end of the earth” wasn’t a place? It’s seen clearly here in the writings of Apostle Paul in 1st Corinthians 10:11 I quote:
Now these things happened to them as a warning, but they were written down for our instruction, upon whom the end of the ages has come.
1 Corinthians 10:11 Revised Standard Version
BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: So, dear friends, the biblical use of the phrase “end of the earth” it’s definitely not referring to a place, or a place at the end of around the globe, but rather, the end of a period of time. And the apostles called it the “end of the ages” or the period of the existence of the world. Why is this time period so important to understand? Why are we discussing this?
How is it that understanding the term “ends of the earth” helps us know which is the true Church? So if you remember from earlier, God has spoken about His sons and daughters that would be brought from the place Far East, islands of the sea, or the Philippines, and identified the time that this would happen as the “ends of the earth,”
as we read in Isaiah 43:5-6.
So let’s ask, how would God bring His sons and daughters from the Far East at the time “ends of the earth”? How would this be done? 1st Corinthians chapter one, let’s read together verse nine:
God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:9 New King James Version
BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: Dear friends, God calls people and brings them into fellowship with His son, Jesus Christ. But how? How does God call people or bring His sons and daughters from the Far East at the time”ends of the earth”? Let’s continue allowing the Bible to respond to our questions. This time the Apostle Paul, 2nd Thessalonians 2:14:
to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 2:14 New King James Version
BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: Friends, how does God call people? How would God bring His sons and His daughters from the Far East at the time “ends of the earth”? God calls by the preaching of the gospel. But wait, would a person become a child of God by simply listening to just anyone preaching, or just reading the gospel on their own, and maybe interpreting it in their own way? No. What has God done to ensure a person would hear the true gospel? Listen closely, because you’re going to hear a familiar phrase recorded here in Isaiah chapter 41, let’s let’s go back to the prophecies of Isaiah 41:9-10, I quote:
Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isaiah 41:9-10 King James Version
BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: What’s God done, dear friends, to ensure that a person would hear the preaching of the true gospel? As we just read, God has a chosen servant at the time frame called “ends of the earth,” whom He promised to uphold with the right hand of His righteousness.
And, dear friends, remembering past lessons here, what’s God’s righteousness that He would uphold this chosen servant with? It’s what’s revealed in the gospel according to Romans 1:16-17.
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For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
Romans 1:16-17 New King James Version
BROTHER BOB PELLIEN: So God proclaims He would use His chosen servant to make known the true gospel to the world. All of this matters because if you’re going to be listening to any preacher, it has to be God’s chosen servant at the time “ends of the earth.” It’s why this phrase matters. Jonathan, included in your question You asked how the term “ends of the earth” renders valid that the Iglesia Ni Cristo, or the Church Of Christ is really the true Church?
It absolutely does, Jonathan. Why? Because any church claiming to be the true church, but does not fulfill the prophecies can not be the true Church. A person has to look for the servant of God, or the messenger chosen by God to preach the true gospel from the true prophesied place, Far East, islands of the sea, or Philippines. At the correct time frame, “ends of the earth,” the period of time Jesus described as the time when the end, or his return, was near.
He had identified that precise time element by telling us what would happen at that time. He described World War I among other identifying characteristics. Dear friends, when did World War I break out? July 27th, 1914. Did the Church Of Christ (Iglesia Ni Cristo) emerge in the Philippines? Yes. Thus, the correct place. Did this Church Of Christ (Iglesia Ni Cristo) emerge also on July 27th, 1914? Yes, again. Thus, the correct time element. Did this church also emerge through the preaching of the true gospel heard from the messenger sent? Yes, yes, Jonathan. This Church Of Christ (Iglesia Ni Cristo) was registered with the Philippine Government on July 27th, 1914 by the Messenger of God, Brother Felix Y. Manalo, in direct fulfillment of prophecy. That’s in the Bible.
Let’s review what we have learned thus far. Let’s summarize. We began by asking, what does Isaiah 43: 5-6 state? Well, we learned that this is a prophecy of God concerning His children being brought back to Him at the time “ends of the earth.”
We then asked, is “ends of the earth” a place? We are very sure that “ends of the earth” is, as recorded in Isaiah 43:5, does not refer to a place. Why? First of all, the shape of our earth is round. And when God spoke about the place where He would perform His great works for the sake of His people, He did not speak in vague terms. He identified the place where His sons and daughters would originate, which was a place in the Far East, made up of islands of the sea. The Philippines is the place that fits that biblical prophecy, and is exactly the place where the true Church Of Christ reemerged.
We asked, what is “end of the earth” referring to? We learned that Jesus informed his disciples when he was to return, and when the end of the world would be. The end of the world is when Jesus returns and this world would be burned up.
We concluded then by asking, how can understanding the term “ends of the earth” help us know which is the true Church? Remember, dear friends, we read Isaiah 43:5-6 together, as well as Isaiah 41:9-10. What did we see? Both used “ends of the earth” and upon further examination of those prophecies, we saw how all all point to the Church Of Christ reemerging in 1914, in the Philippines, where God sent his Messenger, Brother Felix Y. Manalo, to preach His true righteousness, or gospel.
Right place, right time, right way. In truth, we could spend so much more time together diving into more details regarding the reemergence of the Church Of Christ and all of the Bible prophecies describing this event in the Bible. But for now, we’d like you to continue learning about these prophecies and all the teachings of the Bible taught here inside the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ). To do so, dear friends, please visit us online, browse the different topics, or set up an appointment to meet with the Minister of the Gospel. And if you have questions about the Bible or salvation, please email them to us. I’m Bob Pellien, thanks for watching and see you next time on That’s in the Bible.
