Biblical writers wrote in the style and perspective of their audience (the nation of Israel) in order to get across to them what God’s messages were, especially when it comes to prophecy. Otherwise, they wouldn’t understand the narrative.
These writers used in prophecy what is called, “Hebrew apocalyptic language “.[1] In Biblical hermeneutics, we also use what is called, “Audience Relevance”.[2] Jesus also used this language in the Gospels (i.e. Matt 24; Luk 21, etc.), since His audience was Hebrews.
Additionally, we have to take into consideration Bible translations and the translators’ biases. For example, in Matt 24:3, the KJV uses the phrase, “…of the end of the world.” However, that is a mistranslation. The Greek word for the KJV word “world” is “aion”, which means “age”. Consequently, the disciples would have understood this to be the end of the “Old Covenant” age. In the Hebrew’s mindset, there were only two ages: the current age (O.C.), and the age to come, which is the age of the Messiah. This is the age we are in now, which has no end. (Eph 3:21. Also, see verse list below.)
Understanding this, then all prophecies are local in fulfillment and are not worldwide, since they are written to the nation of Israel.
Consider this in Rev. 13:3:
Rev 13:3 BSB One of the heads of the beast appeared to be
mortally wounded. But the mortal wound was healed, and the whole world marveled and followed the beast.
Here you see the whole world marveling at the healing of the beast.
The word, “world” in Greek is: “ge”. One of the definitions in
Thayer’s Concordance is: “a country, land enclosed within fixed boundaries, a tract of land, territory, region.”
Now if we drop down to verse 8:
Rev 13:8 BSB And all who dwell on the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written from the foundation of the world in the Book of Life belonging to the Lamb who was slain.
We see that the Greek word “ge” is used for “earth”, which means the same as above, but we also see the word, “world” later on. The word, “world” in Greek is “kosmos” which means, “the world, the universe”.
Since we lost the true meaning in the translation, we have to dig deeper to get what the writer is really trying to convey, in addition to understanding the Hebrew mindset. If we just read it at face value, we can get into all sorts of errors.
[1] https://books.google.com/books?id=0jcc-gDQdBQC&pg=PA91&lpg=PA91&dq=”hebrew+apocalyptic+language”
[2] https://parousiafulfilled.com/audience-relevance/index.php
Verse list:
Gen 8:21 BSB When the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, He said in His heart, “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from his youth. And never again will I destroy all living creatures as I have done.
Psa 78:69 BSB He built His sanctuary like the heights, like the earth He has established forever.
Psa 89:36-37 BSB his offspring shall endure forever, and his throne before Me like the sun, like the moon, established forever, a faithful witness in the sky.” Selah
Psa 93:1 BSB The LORD reigns! He is robed in majesty; the LORD has clothed and armed Himself with strength. The world indeed is firmly established; it cannot be moved.
Psa 96:10 BSB Declare among the nations: “The LORD reigns!” The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity.
Psa 104:5 BSB He set the earth on its foundations, never to be moved.
Psa 119:90 BSB Your faithfulness continues through all generations; You established the earth, and it endures.
Psa 148:4 BSB Praise Him, O highest heavens, and you waters above the skies.
Psa 148:6 BSB He established them forever and ever; He issued a decree that will never pass away.
Ecc 1:4 BSB Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.
Dan 7:18 BSB But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever—yes, forever and ever.’
2Pe 3:10 BSB But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.
