Reasoning with Jehovah's Witnesses |
27. The New Heaven and New Earth |
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27. The New Heaven and New EarthJehovah's Witnesses believe that: a. The present heaven and the present earth will remain forever.18 b. A new heaven and a new earth will not be created. 19
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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
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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.
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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] Eccl 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. |
