Kosmas Damianides
07-09-2006, 04:56 PM
"A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever."
NRSV
"Γενεα πορευεται και γενεα ερχεται και η γη εις τον αιωνα εστηκεν." LXX
(Ecclesiastes 1:4)
Going by the English translation it would seem that the above quote suggests that the Earth will abide forever. However, in the Greek text, this is not a reference to the eternity of Earth. The section of the verse which reads "η γη εις τον αιωνα εστηκεν" more correctly translates to " the Earth has stood until this present age". There is no prophetic prediction of the Earth remaining eternally. The author of Ecclesiastes is writing about the present time.
Nothing material lasts forever. Even science agrees that the Sun like all other stars will die one day and the planets will be hurled into destruction. The prophet Isaiah and the Apostle Peter both foretell that not only Earth but also Heavens and the very elements which make up the material world will pass away with tremendous heat.
"For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind." (Isaiah 65:17)
"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up."(2 Peter 3:10)
But we also observe that there is hope of a new Spiritual World, the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of God. "But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells."(2 Pet. 3:13) But this again is not a material world it denotes unity to God.
It is amazing how a simple one word can change one's whole perception on one's faith. That's why the Greek language should be preserved at all costs.
NRSV
"Γενεα πορευεται και γενεα ερχεται και η γη εις τον αιωνα εστηκεν." LXX
(Ecclesiastes 1:4)
Going by the English translation it would seem that the above quote suggests that the Earth will abide forever. However, in the Greek text, this is not a reference to the eternity of Earth. The section of the verse which reads "η γη εις τον αιωνα εστηκεν" more correctly translates to " the Earth has stood until this present age". There is no prophetic prediction of the Earth remaining eternally. The author of Ecclesiastes is writing about the present time.
Nothing material lasts forever. Even science agrees that the Sun like all other stars will die one day and the planets will be hurled into destruction. The prophet Isaiah and the Apostle Peter both foretell that not only Earth but also Heavens and the very elements which make up the material world will pass away with tremendous heat.
"For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind." (Isaiah 65:17)
"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up."(2 Peter 3:10)
But we also observe that there is hope of a new Spiritual World, the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of God. "But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells."(2 Pet. 3:13) But this again is not a material world it denotes unity to God.
It is amazing how a simple one word can change one's whole perception on one's faith. That's why the Greek language should be preserved at all costs.