Q1. Will the present heaven and the present earth remain forever?
Ps 102:25-26-“Of old Thou didst found the earth; and the heavens are the work of Thy hands. Even they will perish, but Thou dost endure; and all of them will wear out like a garment…”
Is 51:6-“Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies.”
Matt 5:18-“For truly I say to you, UNTIL heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished.”
Matt 24:35, Mark 13:31, Luke 21:33-“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words shall not pass away.”
Heb 1:10-12-He also says, “In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed.”
2 Pet 3:7-But the present heavens and earth by His word are being reserved for fire
2 Pet 3:10-11-But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.
2 Pet 3:12-the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat
Rev 20:11-And I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away,and no place was found for them.
Q2. Will a new heaven and a new earth be created?
Is 65:17-Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth
2 Pet 3:13-But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
Rev 21:1-And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away
Summary:
a. The present heaven and earth will be destroyed by fire (at the end of the 1000-yr. reign of Christ).
b. A new heaven and a new earth will be created.
Scriptures commonly used by Jehovah’s Witnesses:
Gen 8:22-WHILE THE EARTH REMAINS, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
Ps 104:5-Who laid the foundations of the earth [Heb. erez; as in vss. 9,13,14,24,32; not as in vs. 30], that it should not be removed for ever
Ps 119:90-Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth[standeth, as in vs. 91] this day [[to] this day, or to-day]
Ecc 1:4-the earth abides forever [Heb. olam-for ages]
Is 45:18-earth…He created it not in vain [Heb. tohu-without form; cp. Gen 1:2-the earth was without form], He formed it to be inhabited
Endnotes:
18. Reasoning from the Scriptures, p. 436; Make Sure of All Things, p. 166
19. Ibid.
Article Credits: KevinQuick.com