The mentioned title of this post is one of the supposed contradictions raised by many Bible critics; (Psalms 102:25-26) says the earth will perish, but (Ecclesiastes 1:4 & Psalms 78:69) say the earth abides forever.
[Psalm 102:25-26 & Hebrews 1:10-11] In the beginning 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.
Versus
[Ecclesiastes 1:4] “One generation passes away, and another generation comes; But the earth abides forever.”
[Psalms 78:69] And He built His sanctuary like the heights, Like the earth which He has established forever.
ANSWER:
A.) First let us take up verse [Ecclesiastes 1:4];
“One generation passes away, and another generation comes; But the earth abides forever.”
ANALYSIS: The ‘earth’ used in this passage means “soil or land”, and not the planet Earth. This earth, soil, or land refers to the delightful or good people who abide the will of God.
Kindly read the verses below to identify who is this earth, soil, or land;
[Malachi 3:12] “All the nations will call you blessed, for you shall be a delightful land,” says the LORD of hosts.
COMMENT: In this verse, the righteous Israelites are called a ‘delightful land’ by God.
[Luke 8:15] And the seed that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest
COMMENT: In this verse, ‘seed’ represents the word of God [Luke 8:11]; and ‘good soil’ represents good people. God liken the good people as good soil which produces huge harvest. They are the ones who have influenced others to come to God. ‘Good soil or people’ are the ones who abide the will of God.
Kindly compare [Ecclesiastes 1:4] with [1 John 2:17] that says;
[1 John 2:17] And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
♦Therefore, it is man who does the will of God that will abide forever, and not the planet Earth.
B. NOW, let us take up the second questioned verse from [Psalm 78:69] which says;
“And He built His sanctuary like the heights, Like the earth which He has established forever.”
ANALYSIS: I believe this verse is not accurately translated, because in other translations we can find the following verses;
Aramaic Bible in Plain English
He built his holy place upon the height and he prepared it in the Earth for eternity.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he built his sanctuary as of unicorns, in the land which he founded for ever.
COMMENT: Based on the translations above, it is obvious that it is not the earth which is founded forever, but the sanctuary (Church) of God prepared on Earth. This is referred to the Church built by Jesus on Earth, and this Church is for eternity. Meaning the Catholic Church is the kingdom to be brought to the Heaven.
Kindly compare (Psalm 78:69) to its parallel verses in (2 Samuel 7:13 & 1 Chronicles 17:12) we can know;
[2 Samuel 7:13] He will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
[1 Chronicles 17:12] He is the one who will build a house–a temple–for me. And I will secure his throne forever.
God wants a descendant of David to build His house or temple, and He will establish His throne forever. This descendant is Jesus whom God will establish His throne or kingdom, kindly read the following verses about the kingdom of Jesus;
[Jeremiah 23:5] The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.
[Daniel 7:14] And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations and men of every language might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed.
[Luke 1:33] and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!
♦Therefore, it is the kingdom of God Jesus which is founded forever, and not the planet Earth.
∼ο∼
ALSO READ: Matthew 5:17-18 Versus Ephesians 2:13-15
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