Will heaven pass away? Question: Our small group came across a verse that raised some questions. It's found in Matthew 24:35: Jesus says, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." Several folks raised the question that they thought heaven was eternal and would not pass away. Can you shed some light on this verse and what it means? Thanks.
Answer: God is eternal, and we will be in his presence in a physical place called heaven for all of eternity as believers. The group is right about that, and that's what makes us think that heaven as it is now will last forever. However, in Revelations 21, God tells us that when this world ends he will not only create a new earth, but also a new heaven. The PLACES of heaven and earth as they are now will pass away. They will be replaced by a new heaven and earth where we will live together with the Lord forever. The PEOPLE who are now with the Lord will obviously continue to live forever with him whether in the old heaven or the new heaven.
Why does God need to create a new heaven? I don't know! The Bible doesn't tell us exactly why. One obvious reason might be that since the new earth will be a perfect place, there will be a greater connection between this new heaven and earth than there is between earth and heaven now. You'll be able to go back and forth between them, for instance.
"All creation anticipates the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay." Romans 8:21 (NLT)
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