World

by Brad Scott

I would like to take some time for the next little while, whatever that means, to address words that are associated with prophecy and the end times. I have already previously addressed the word caught up or commonly referred to as rapture. We will begin with a word that is directly connected to the end times and that is the word world.

Hitgalut (Revelation) 3:10Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

The English word world is translated from the Greek word oikoumenes (οικουμενη), which in turn comes from the Hebrew word tevel (תבל). The etymological root of this word means to mark or set bounds. The marking comes from the first two letters which is the name of the Hebrew letter tav (ת), which means a sign or a mark. It is a reference to the inhabitable bounds that we as humans are restricted to. It is a word that is in direct contrast to the Kingdom of God, or the shamayim, the boundless essence of the presence and power of YHVH. It first appears as part of the name of one of Cain's descendents in B'reshiyt:

Bere’shiyt (Genesis) 4:22And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.

The meaning of the first maker of instruments of war and destruction is a combination of the word for taking or possessing and the word for the inhabited bounds we live in. In other words, the prophetic revelation of this man's name is taker or possessor of the world. This word is theologically used to express those who live and have their very being in the desires and needs of just our short life here on earth. This word is not synonymous with the earth or ground. The world can be destroyed without the earth or ground experiencing any harm. Some of us think of this as strictly an end time event. I believe the world has consistently rejected the living Torah of our God, and has been self-destructing since the beginning.

Shalom Alecheim! ◊