When
Jesus said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will
not pass away" (Matthew 24:35, NASB), He was not referring to
the physical heavens and earth. In the fulfilled view, "heaven
and earth" often symbolizes the Old Covenant system — the
temple, the priesthood, and the nation of Israel under the Law. Let’s look at some scriptural
support: Isaiah 51:15-16 – God speaks of
planting the heavens and laying the foundations of the earth when He
gave His law to His people, showing a covenantal usage of the phrase. Deuteronomy 31:28-30 – Moses calls
heaven and earth as witnesses against Israel in the covenant, again
showing symbolic use tied to the Law. Hebrews 12:26-28 – The writer speaks
of a shaking not just of the earth but of heaven, so that what cannot
be shaken (the New Covenant) may remain. That implies the old was
being removed. So when Jesus said "Heaven and
earth will pass away", He was speaking of the Old Covenant
world, which did pass away in 70 AD when the temple was destroyed and
the Law system ended. His words, the New Covenant, would never pass
away. In short: "Heaven and earth" = Old
Covenant Israel. Jesus' words = the New Covenant. One passed away, the other stands
forever.
By Dan Maines
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