Will The Earth Abide Forever?
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesA querist asks, “Can someone explain what Solomon is saying in Ecclesiastes 1:4? I understand the part about a generation passing away, but what does he mean, “but the earth abideth for ever”?
One thing Solomon is saying in this verse, is that while the earth remains the same (relatively speaking), the generations of men are ever changing. What profit can there possibly be from the toils of life, when the life of man is so brief? (cf. Job 7:7; Psalm 78:39; James 4:14).
In the Bible, the term “forever”, does not always denote an absolutely endless existence. In Ecclesiastes 1:4, the Hebrew word “owlam”, means “long duration” or “age-lasting”. This same word is used in Exodus 12:13-14 and Numbers 25:13 to describe the duration of the Passover and the Levitical priesthood. Both of these lasted only until the end of the Mosaical dispensation of time (Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 2:14; Hebrews 7:11-24; Hebrews 8:1-8; Hebrews 9:14-15). In this verse, Solomon is using the term “forever” in a comparative sense, not in an absolute sense. We can better understand this when we examine the following passages of scripture regarding the end of the heavens and the earth (Psalm 102:26; Isaiah 51:6; Matthew 24:35; 2 Peter 3:10-12).
One other passage regarding the use of the word “forever” is found in Isaiah 32:14. The prophet depicts the horrible punishment that is to be visited upon Jerusalem (the capital city of Judah – Isaiah 1:1) on account of the nation’s transgressions. He says the holy city will be deserted and become the haunts of various animals “for ever”. However, note Isaiah 32:15 (ASV). Isaiah declares that these conditions will prevail only “until the Spirit be poured upon us from on high” (a prophecy of the spiritual blessings to be experienced during the gospel dispensation of time – Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:16-21). Underline the term “for ever” in Isaiah 32:14, and draw a line to the word “until” in Isaiah 32:15. The word, “until” clearly shows that the word “for ever” can be used in a qualified sense. The context must determine the meaning of a word in a given setting.
We also know that this present earth will not last “for ever”, because according to our Lord’s instructions, the duration for the teaching of the gospel of Christ will come to an end, i.e. “unto the end of the world” (KJV) or at “the end of the age” or Christian dispensation of time (Matthew 28:20 – ESV).