text: when does the bible say the earth will end as we know it and how?   as a result of mankind's fall into sin, all creation unwillingly submitted to "the slavery of decay, and groans and suffers till now" (rom. 8:22). the time will come in which mankind and the entire material world will be purified and renewed. this will occur on the last day, following the universal judgment, and it will happen by means of fire. as the world that existed before the deluge was purified from sin by means of the flood, likewise "the present heaven and earth," st. peter teaches, "are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men … [on that] day … the heavens will pass away 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 … nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells" (2 pet. 3:7-13).  the fact that the present temporary world will be transformed was predicted many centuries before christ by the psalmist who said: "of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. they will perish, but you will endure; yes, all of them will grow old like a garment; like a cloak you will change them, and they will be changed. but you are the same, and your years will have no end" (ps. 102:25-27). in other words, the end of the world will not be its destruction but its total renewal.