What will happen to the earth?
Introduction. We presently have tremendous public focus on the earth, both environmentally and religiously. While some climate alarmists are concerned humans will destroy the world, many religious people teach that the earth will last forever. They maintain the earth's surface will be purified by fire, and that the saved will dwell on the earth without end (many divergent views).
The earth is age-lasting. One Hebrew word translated "for ever" and "everlasting" is olam. The word, when used without specific qualification, simply means "age-lasting" (see Young's Analytical Concordance, pg. 311). The scriptures teach that the earth abides for ever (olam, Eccl. 1: 4). The Levitical priesthood, with its animal sacrifices, was also age-lasting (olam, Ex. 40: 15). In other words, it lasted for the time or age God intended, but it was "changed" and replaced (Heb. 7: 12, 24-28).
The earth shall be destroyed. Jesus said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away..." (Matt. 24: 35). Peter taught that the earth and its environment will utterly perish. Hear him: "...the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up" (2 Pet. 3: 10). All "these things shall be dissolved," Peter continued (vs. 11). Notice the terms used are descriptive of complete, final, and permanent destruction. "Great noise" describes the passing away, the elements (the basic components) shall melt, and the earth and all that relates to it shall be burned up! There shall be a "new" (kainos, different nature) heavens and earth or habitation for the righteous (vs 13).
Conclusion. Jesus left the earth to prepare a place (John 14: 3). The saved will be "caught up...in the clouds..." and "shall ever be with the Lord" (1 Thes. 4: 17). Heaven is the ultimate habitation for the saved, not the earth (Matt. 25; Rev. 21).
The earth is age-lasting. One Hebrew word translated "for ever" and "everlasting" is olam. The word, when used without specific qualification, simply means "age-lasting" (see Young's Analytical Concordance, pg. 311). The scriptures teach that the earth abides for ever (olam, Eccl. 1: 4). The Levitical priesthood, with its animal sacrifices, was also age-lasting (olam, Ex. 40: 15). In other words, it lasted for the time or age God intended, but it was "changed" and replaced (Heb. 7: 12, 24-28).
The earth shall be destroyed. Jesus said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away..." (Matt. 24: 35). Peter taught that the earth and its environment will utterly perish. Hear him: "...the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up" (2 Pet. 3: 10). All "these things shall be dissolved," Peter continued (vs. 11). Notice the terms used are descriptive of complete, final, and permanent destruction. "Great noise" describes the passing away, the elements (the basic components) shall melt, and the earth and all that relates to it shall be burned up! There shall be a "new" (kainos, different nature) heavens and earth or habitation for the righteous (vs 13).
Conclusion. Jesus left the earth to prepare a place (John 14: 3). The saved will be "caught up...in the clouds..." and "shall ever be with the Lord" (1 Thes. 4: 17). Heaven is the ultimate habitation for the saved, not the earth (Matt. 25; Rev. 21).