Does the Earth Last Forever or Not According to Ecclesiastes chapter 1 verse 4 " the earth remains forever " . (Marina, 2025) Ecclesiastes chapter 1 verse 4 in the 1995 New American Standard Bible (NASB)reads: "A generation goes and a generation comes, But the earth remains forever. " This sentiment is also echoed in Psalm chapter 104 verse 5, which praises God for laying the foundations of the earth so firmly that "it should never be moved ." (Marina, 2025) Psalm chapter 104 verse 5 in the 1995 New American Standard Bible (NASB) reads: "He established the earth upon its foundations, So that it will not totter 1 forever and ever ." BUT , " this view contrasts sharply with certain passages in the New Testament that foresee the destruction of the current earth ..." (Marina, 2025) According to Psalm chapter 102 verses 25 to 26 the earth will "perish" (ESV/NASB) and "pass away" (ESV/NASB) Psalm chapter 102 verses 25 to 26 in the 1995 New American Standard Bible (NASB) reads: "In time of old You founded the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. Even they will perish , but You endure; All of them will wear out like a garment ; Like clothing You will change them and they will pass away ." According to Matthew chapter 24 verse 35 (paralleled in Mark 1 / 7 13:31 and Luke 21:33) " heaven and earth will pass away " (ESV/NASB). Matthew chapter 24 verse 35 in the 1995 New American Standard Bible (NASB) reads: " Heaven and earth will pass away , but My words will not pass away." AND, according to certain passages in the New Testament this destruction of the Earth and heavens will be followed by the creation of a new one . (Marina, 2025) According to Second Peter chapter 3 verse 13 believers hope for a "new heavens and a new earth , where righteousness dwells" (Marina, 2025) Second Peter chapter 3 verse 13 in the 1995 New American Standard Bible (NASB) reads: "But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth , in which righteousness dwells." And Revelation chapter 21 verse 1 envisions " a new heaven and a new earth" after the first has "passed away " Revelation chapter 21 verse 1 in the 1995 New American Standard Bible (NASB) reads: "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea ." The problem? The earth either exists forever, or it doesn't. 2 / 7 The solution? Several solutions have been suggested. Biblical References to "Forever" often only Refers to a Limited Time-frame Some Christian apologists have suggested, that biblical references to "forever" does not always mean "for all eternity without end." That is TRUE The word "forever" in the Bible does not always mean "for all eternity without end." (Gen. 13V15; Gen. 19v24-28 compare with Jude 1v7; Ex. 2v14 compare with 1 Cor. 11V24-26; Ex. 21V6; Phile. 1V15 | Bible Tools, n.d.a ; Strong, n.d.a ) In both Hebrew and Greek, the original languages, the words translated as "forever" can have a conditional or limited meaning based on context . ( Strong, n.d.a ) The core idea is often "for an indefinite period," "to the end of the age," or "for as long as the conditions apply." ( Strong, n.d.a ) Final Thoughts Contrary to Marina's claim, there is no "contradiction" , "discrepancy" or "tension between the Old Testament view of an eternal earth and the New Testament expectation of a new 3 / 7 creation ." (Marina, 2025) The would-be "contradiction" resulted from the base and almost universal English translation of the Hebrew word `olam` ( ם לָ וֹ ע ) and the Greek word `aion` ( ) as simply αἰών "forever" , coupled with a happy lack of understand regarding their biblical application Proof-Texts and Cross References ECCLESIASTES CHAPTER 1 VERSE 4 "A generacion passeth awaye and a generacion comment: but the erth endureth ever. " - 1526 Tyndale Translation (TYNDALE) "One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever ." - 1611 King James Version (KJV) "A generation is going, and a generation is coming, and the earth to the age is standing ." - 1898 Young's Literal Translation (YLT) "A generation is going, and a generation is coming; But the earth remains forever ." - 1950 New World Translation (NWT) "A generation goes and a generation comes, But the earth remains forever ." - 1995 New American Standard Bible (NASB) PSALM CHAPTER 102 VERSES 25 TO 26 "Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish , but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment . You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away ." - 2001 English Standard Version (ESV) 4 / 7 PSALM CHAPTER 104 VERSE 5 "He layed the fundacion of the erth, that it shulde not be removed for ever ." - 1526 Tyndale Translation (TYNDALE) "Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever ." - 1611 King James Version (KJV) "He hath founded earth on its bases, It is not moved to the age and for ever ." - 1898 Young's Literal Translation (YLT) "He has established the earth on its foundations; It will not be moved from its place to time indefinite ." - 1950 New World Translation (NWT) "He established the earth upon its foundations, So that it will not totter 1 forever and ever ." - 1995 New American Standard Bible (NASB) MATTHEW CHAPTER 24 VERSE 35 " Heaven and earth will pass away , but My words will not pass away." - 1995 New American Standard Bible (NASB) SECOND PETER CHAPTER 3 VERSE 13 "Nevertheless we loke for a newe heven and a newe erth according to his promes wherin dwelleth rightewesnes." - 1526 Tyndale Translation (TYNDALE) "Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth , wherein dwelleth righteousness." - 1611 5 / 7 King James Version (KJV) "And for new heavens and a new earth according to His promise we do wait, in which righteousness doth dwell;" - 1898 Young's Literal Translation (YLT) "But there are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell." - 1950 New World Translation (NWT) "But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth , in which righteousness dwells." - 1995 New American Standard Bible (NASB) REVELATION CHAPTER 21 VERSE 1 "And I sawe a newe heven and a newe erth . For the fyrst heven and the fyrst erth were gone and ther was no more see ." - 1526 Tyndale Translation (TYNDALE) "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth : for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea ." - 1611 King James Version (KJV) "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth , for the first heaven and the first earth did pass away, and the sea is not any more ;" - 1898 Young's Literal Translation (YLT) "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth , for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more ." - 1950 New World Translation (NWT) "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth ; for the first heaven 6 / 7 and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea ." - 1995 New American Standard Bible (NASB) Footnotes 1. or, move out of place References Bible Tools (n.d.a) What the Bible says about Forever and Ever (From Forerunner Commentary) https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/topical.show/RTD/ cgg/ID/4503/Forever-Ever.htm Marina, M. (2025, January 23) 50 Contradictions in the Bible: The Most Shocking Differences [Bart Ehrman Courses Online] https://www.bartehrman.com/contradictions-in-the-bible/ ✔️ Strong, J. (n.d.a) H5769 [Blue Letter Bible] https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h5769/kjv/wlc/0-1/ ✔️ Revisions 28-30.10.2025 / 2025.11.18 7 / 7