"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth.
The former heaven and the former earth had passed away,
and the sea was no more."
(Rv 21:1)

What do we really mean by the end of the world?

Do we mean the end of the planet earth? Or the the end of our solar system? Or the end of our Milky Way? Or the end of the universe? Revelation by the expression "heaven and earth" indicates the end of the whole universe as we know it. But for us it really means the end of human life on our planetary system. When will this happen? It is not for us to know as Christ indicated, "But of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone." (Mt 24:36) If the mystery of Christ is meant to spread to the whole universe it will be an immensely long time from now, but in God's vision this immensely long time appears as nothing, like a watch in the night. Or it may come to pass that humanity will end in isolation from other intelligent life in the universe due to the vast distances involved and the rigorous demands of the human organism so adapted and balanced to live only on earth. 71

Usually we picture it as a catastrophic end, and eventually that will happen to planet earth but the real end is a transformation of the planet.

God began to transfigure the earth since its beginning. Countless life forms have lived and died on the planet and still continue to do so. Matter is constantly transformed into plant life, plant life into animal life and plant/animal life into human life.

The resurrection of the body means that even energy/matter is being and will be transfigured into the new universe which is now partially realized in the realm of metahistory-history.

If we considered the transformation of a larvae into a pupa and finally into a beautiful creature which flies in the air we can get a glimpse into the resurrection of the body. As St. Paul says, "It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body." ( 1Cor 15:44) When we die, our life on earth has been like that of a larvae but with the resurrection it will become transformed either into heavenly life or that of the damned. The choice is ours.

For those who are with God the body will be transformed into the likeness of Christ's risen body with certain lovely qualities. Our bodies will be luminous with the glory of the transfigured soul shining out and perfectly subject of our soul. We will be able to pass through solid matter and travel at the speed of thought and will be free from all suffering and death.

On the Wings of Change
We shall be changed;
the trumpet will sound,
the dead will be raise,
and we shall be change!

Traditionally artists have pictured heaven as a circle at the center of which stands God, followed by Christ, the Virgin Mary, choirs of angels, human beings and all other realities of the universe. In the transformed universe there will be many dwelling places suited to the degree of holiness of innumerable intelligent life forms gathered not only from Earth but also from the vast reaches of cosmic time and space. Amen.