You laid the foundations of the earth, so that it should not be moved forever. (Psalm 104:5)

In Judaism there is a belief that the earth is the foundation of the entire universe because God created everything for the sake of mankind. Actually, there is scientific evidence to support this idea because, according to many cosmologists, if the delicate balance of creation was altered slightly, life on earth would not be possible. Indeed, the Genesis account reveals that the creation process reached its zenith when God breathed life into man making him a living soul. So, we can safely conclude that God created the earth with an eternal purpose — to be inhabited by man, more specifically God’s people. We can also conclude that He created the earth to endure, and not be destroyed.

The apostle John saw a vision in which he saw “a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away” (Revelation 21:1). Some interpret this to mean that God will completely destroy this earth at the end of days, and replace it with an entirely new planet — I disagree. Based on what David said in the verse above, along with many other passages of Scripture, it is more likely that this present state will be replaced — or better yet, restored to how things were before the fall of man. The heavens and earth that have been contaminated and corrupted by sin and rebellion will be cleansed and renewed thus ridding it of all things that offend the Holy One. I say this with confidence because everything our God forms and creates has a purpose, and having a purpose He does not abandon it to destruction. When something goes astray, He intervenes to redeem and preserve it. 

Many would interpret the flood of Noah and the destruction it wrought to be God’s primary intent in the matter — i.e. to punish the wicked. The reality is that the flood of Noah was a redemptive act whereby His purpose for the earth and, more importantly, for man might be preserved. Had He not intervened, conceivably, the creation would have deteriorated beyond the reach of redemption. So the point is, God doesn’t create and give life just to see His creation destroyed; before He will allow that to happen, He intervenes so that His eternal purpose can be sustained. Again, He created the earth with an eternal purpose — to be inhabited by a people with an eternal purpose, which is why He didn’t give up on us. Rather than leaving us to be destroyed by our own sin and rebellion, He intervened and sent His Son that we might be redeemed and saved. Therefore it is written, “If anyone is in Messiah, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Amen.

Blessings and Shalom,  

Bill