Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You will endure; yes, they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak You will change them, and they will be changed. (Psalm 102:25-26)
Years ago there was a somewhat popular song that acknowledged something we, as humans, don’t like to really think about — all things must pass. Everything and everyone in this world grows old, wears out and eventually perishes. Death and decay is the unescapable consequence of sin and everyday we see the results of living in a fallen world. Even the heavens and the earth, as enduring as they seem to be to mankind, are themselves created, not creators. The earth is not our mother and the heavens are not our father; like us, they are subject to the ravages of time and are in a constant state of deterioration. As it is written, “the heavens will vanish away like smoke, the earth will grow old like a garment” (Isaiah 51:6).
That being said, it is also well established in Scripture that the curse which leads to death will be defeated and, at the appointed time, God will restore His creation to its intended purpose. There is an eternal function for those things God has created, including mankind, and for that reason He has intervened time and again to sustain that purpose. In other words, because He is eternal, His purpose is eternal and therefore what He has ordained from ancient times shall endure. Thus it is written, “Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind” (Isaiah 65:17); “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5).
Now let us consider ourselves: we were all shaped in iniquity, born with an inherent inclination to do evil and, consequently, destined for death. But this was and is not the Creator’s intent, which is why our Heavenly Father intervened on our behalf; He sent His Son that we might be redeemed from the curse of death. Therefore, in Messiah, we have been changed, are being changed and will be changed. We are new creations; the old things have passed away, and “behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are being conformed to the image of the Son of God, and though we still retain this old, outer garment called corruptible flesh, there is coming a day when it will be exchanged for a new garment. In the day of redemption, we will put off the mortal and put on the immortal; Messiah will put all of His enemies under His feet, the last of which is death itself (1 Corinthians 15:25-26) and then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54).
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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