Expert: Joe Norman - 9/28/2010

Question
Please explain the following statement in Hebrews 1:10-11

v11. They will perish but you remain.  Heaven will perish???  

Answer
Hi Darlene,

It is important when trying to understand a verse or passage that seems confusing to determine the context of the words. Who is speaking? Who is being spoken to here? The main focus of this chapter and actually the entire book of Hebrews is on Jesus Christ and His Superiority over the Old Covenant and all past prophets. Jesus Christ is indeed the Son of God, equal with God the Father. He has always existed just as God the Father has always existed. In verse two the writer even states that all things were created through Jesus Christ.

In verse 3, it says Jesus purged our sins from us by Himself. Jesus has reigned as King over the Kingdom of Christianity since He returned to His Father after being raised from the dead.

Verses 10-12 are quotes from Psalms 102:25-27. The great significance of this is the fact that the words originally addressed to Jehovah are unhesitatingly applied to Jesus Christ.

The point here is that Jesus Christ is changeless. The universe (all creation) is constantly changing. Let's look at these verses as translated in the New King James Version of the Bible.

Heb.1:10-12
10 And: "YOU, LORD, IN THE BEGINNING LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH, AND THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORK OF YOUR HANDS. 11 THEY WILL PERISH, BUT YOU REMAIN; AND THEY WILL ALL GROW OLD LIKE A GARMENT; 12 LIKE A CLOAK YOU WILL FOLD THEM UP, AND THEY WILL BE CHANGED. BUT YOU ARE THE SAME, AND YOUR YEARS WILL NOT FAIL."

What will perish? Heaven? No. "THE Heavens" meaning the skies...atmosphere. One Law of physics is that all things degenerate...get old, wear out. Many times in the Bible, there is indication that the earth and all creation will one day be destroyed. When God flooded the entire world and saved Noah, his family and all the animals in the Ark, he promised never again to destroy the world by water. But God did say that one day all would be destroyed by fire.

There are only some things that are permanent. Our souls are eternal. Some (few) will gain eternal life in Heaven. The rest will be in eternal torment in Hell. Heaven and Hell are eternal. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit are eternal. The three persons make our ONE God. The angels in Heaven are eternal. Satan and his angels are eternal. God's Word is eternal. The Gospel is eternal. Those who embrace this gospel message and become Christians according to that gospel message will also remain with God forever if they remain faithful until death.

I do hope that I have helped you to better understand this passage. The book of Hebrews was written specifically to those first century Christians who were originally Jews. They were struggling with giving up the Hebrew laws and customs and worship practices. The inspired author of the letter to the Hebrews (many think Paul wrote it) was striving to convince them that the Old Law is no longer in effect and that Jesus Christ is FAR superior to all prophets. He was the perfect sacrifice for our sins. No longer do we need to kill sheep or goats or any animal to receive forgiveness of sins. It is not an easy book to understand, but it is full of some very powerful truths. This is definitely spiritual meat and not spiritual milk.

I pray God bless you as you continue to study His Word and strive to understand it and apply it to your life. If you need help with other passages or have follow up questions on this passage, please let me know and I will strive to help as best I can. I am merely human and so always study what I present to see if what I teach is true.

In Christian Love, Joe Norman