The End of the World as We Know It

by Matt Laney | published on May 18, 2025

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. – Revelation 21:1 (NRSV) 

Have you ever heard of the Beads of Privilege exercise? Participants take a bead every time they can answer “yes” to dozens of statements such as:

  • I can communicate proficiently in English without anxiety or concerns.
  • I have no fear of negative consequences because of my sexual orientation.
  • I can find food that supports my religion in any restaurant or grocery store.
  • I can go shopping without being followed or closely watched by store employees.

It can be uncomfortable for people (like me) who end up with a lot of beads. Hence the backlash against anything that discusses or reveals the inequity of privilege. Much like the Book of Revelation, or as I like to call it, Reveal-ation or DEI-alation. 

The Book of Revelation isn’t about the end of the world; it’s about the end of the world as we know it. If that sounds scary, if Revelation is a turn off in general, you might want to check your privilege and social location. The end of the world as we know it, with all its injustices, inequities and dangers, is good news for those who are most at risk.  

After all the oppressive systems of the world have been revealed and undone, a new heaven and new earth arrive. Then, the writer of Revelation says, “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, nor any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” 

If the world is fine and dandy for you right now, you might have different tears to be wiped away when the new world arrives and our beads of privilege count for nothing. That is the best possible outcome.  

Prayer
Thank You that Revelation doesn’t necessarily reveal the future. Instead, it reveals me… now.

Matt LaneyAbout the Author
Matt Laney is co-Pastor of Virginia Highland Church UCC in Atlanta, GA and the author of Pride Wars, a fantasy series published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for Young Readers. The first two books, The Spinner Prince and The Four Guardians are available now.