by Doreen Kajulu | 2 January 2024 08:46 pm01
Matthew 24:35 (ESV):
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
This profound statement by Jesus is part of His teaching about the end times, found in the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24–25). Here, Jesus is assuring His followers that while everything in the physical world is temporary and destined to come to an end, His words—His teachings, promises, and truth—are eternal and unchanging.
To understand this verse, we must first grasp the unchanging nature of Christ:
Hebrews 13:8 (ESV):
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Everything in creation changes with time—people age, relationships shift, even the earth deteriorates. But Jesus remains eternally consistent in His character, truth, and purpose. He never contradicts Himself, never revokes His promises, and never acts against His nature.
The “heaven and earth” in this context refer to the created order: the skies, the stars, the planets, and the earth itself. Despite their grandeur and age, Scripture declares that these will eventually be undone.
Revelation 6:12–14 (ESV):
“When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood,
and the stars of the sky fell to the earth… The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.”
Revelation 16:20 (ESV):
“And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found.”
These verses demonstrate that even the most stable and enduring elements of creation will “pass away” when God’s final judgment comes.
In contrast to the instability and eventual destruction of creation, the words of Jesus are eternal and unchanging. His teachings are not bound by time, culture, or circumstance. They are forever true and authoritative.
Isaiah 40:8 (ESV):
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”
Jesus, being the eternal Word made flesh (John 1:1,14), speaks with the full authority of God. His words don’t just carry information—they carry life, truth, and eternal impact.
Jesus made clear declarations about who He is—declarations that will never expire or change:
“I am the Alpha and the Omega”
Revelation 22:13, ESV: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
“I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life”
John 14:6, ESV): “No one comes to the Father except through me.”
“I am the Light of the World”
(John 8:12, ESV): “Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Even when natural light sources like the sun and moon cease to exist, Jesus Himself will be the light in the new creation:
Revelation 21:23 (ESV):
“And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.”
Jesus is also described as “Faithful and True”:
Revelation 19:11 (ESV):
“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True…”
Unlike human beings, whose loyalty often wavers, Jesus’ faithfulness to His word and to His people is eternal and unbreakable.
John 6:47 (ESV):
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.”
This promise is absolute. Once spoken by Christ, it is fixed in eternity. His words are not bound to an age or era—what He declares will always be valid and trustworthy.
If the entire universe is passing away, and only Christ’s words remain—then we must ask ourselves:
Where have we placed our trust?
Or have we trusted in Jesus, the One who does not change, whose word never fails, and whose promises are eternal?
Matthew 7:24 (ESV):
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away” is a call to place our confidence in the eternal truth and authority of Christ. Everything else in life is temporary—but His word endures forever.
Will you trust Him—the eternal, faithful Savior?
God bless you.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2024/01/02/what-does-it-mean-that-heaven-and-earth-will-pass-away-but-my-words-will-never-pass-away-matthew-2435-esv/
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