When Heaven and Earth Passed Away: Everything Changed

5/14/2015

Can Christians excuse themselves from obeying the Law of Moses? Jesus plainly said, “Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law” (Matthew 5:18). Surely that would mean all 613 commandments in the Pentateuch must be followed until some cataclysmic events take place. Or does it?

If we were still waiting for some cataclysmic event to happen before we were set free from obedience to the Mosaic Law, what would that practically mean for Christians today? It would have huge implications. If “heaven and earth” haven't passed away, we would have a backlog of Jubilee years to celebrate, “cities of refuge” to resurrect (which is a law requiring certain cities to protect sinners from people trying to vengefully hurt them), and bleeding lambs to burn on an altar. Forget Sunday. We would need to go back to the Sabbath rest on Saturday. And we would have to throw out our clothes that mix linen and cotton and kill our rebellious children. If you weren’t aware, the Law of Moses has some serious instructions.

So why don't Christians obey every letter of the Law if Jesus said it all applies “until heaven and earth pass away”?

It’s an important question to answer, and very few Christians have taken the time to address it. But before we start in forcing the law of Moses again, let’s make sure we understand what Jesus meant. The historical background is going to blow your mind. It will require you to put down your apocalyptic imaginations of meteors hitting earth and start seeing the world Jesus talked about.

Where Heaven and Earth Was for First-Century Jews

Jews did not always mean “the physical universe” when they spoke of heaven and earth together. In Jewish literature, the Temple was a portal connecting heaven and earth. They called it the “navel of the earth” and the “gateway to heaven” (Jub 8:19; 1 Enoch 26:1). Just like the Mesopotamian Tower in Genesis 11, the Temple connected God’s realm to where humans lived.

To reflect this belief, the Jerusalem Temple had been built to look like a microcosm of the universe. We typically overlook how literally true the Temple hymn preserved in Psalm 78:69 is: "He built his sanctuary like the high heavens, like the earth, which he has founded for ever." The actual holy place and most holy place inside the Temple building were constructed like earth and heaven. The courts outside represented the sea. I am not making this stuff up.

According to Josephus, two parts of the tabernacle were "approachable and open to all“ but one was not. He explains that in so doing Moses "signifies the earth and the sea, since these two are accessible to all; but the third portion he reserved for God alone because heaven is inaccessible to men" (Ant. 3:181, cf. 3:123). The veil between’ the accessible and inaccessible parts of the Temple was designed to represent the entire material world during Jesus’ day. Josephus and Philo agree that the veil was composed of four materials representing the four elements—earth, water, air, and fire (War 5:212-213; Ant. 3:138-144; Quaestiones in Exodum 2:85, cf. Mos 2:88). Heaven was beyond this material world. It was behind the curtain.

Outside the Temple’s microcosm of “heaven and earth,” the courts looked like the sea. Numbers Rabbah 13:19 records, "The court surrounds the temple just as the sea surrounds the world." In Talmudic tradition, Rabbis described how the inner walls of the Temple looked like waves of the sea (b. Sukk. 51b, b.B.Bat. 4a). From heaven and earth inside the temple, you looked out at the sea surrounding the world. Why? Ancients believed the earth had one giant land mass surrounded by sea. The temple reflected that cosmology. The accessible section of the Temple and the surrounding courts embodied both the land mass and sea believed to comprise the earth. The Most Holy Place was heaven where God's presence resided.

Jesus’ Prophecy of the Temple’s Destruction

If we listen to Jesus in First-Century Israel, his prediction of “heaven and earth” passing away sounds like the destruction of Jerusalem and her Temple. The contemporary songs, writers, and architecture all make the connection between Jerusalem’s Temple and “heaven and earth.” Isaiah used the same language of “heaven and earth” to depict Jerusalem and her citizens in Isaiah 65:17-18.

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth and the former things will not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing and her people for gladness.”

Isaiah is predicting the eventual reconstruction of Jerusalem after its destruction at the hands of invaders. He uses Hebrew parallelism to equate the creation of “new heavens and a new earth” with the restoration of Jerusalem. So Jesus isn't the first prophet to describe Jerusalem and her temple with grand language describing its theological significance. Jerusalem was the place where people encountered the presence of God on earth. The Temple is where heaven met earth.

Interpreting Jesus’ language of “heaven and earth passing away” in Matthew 5:18 as the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple fits with the rest of Jesus’ prophetic message. Like Jeremiah smashing a pot outside the city to predict Jerusalem’s fall to Babylonian invaders (Jeremiah 19), Jesus symbolically acted out God’s judgment on the Jerusalem Temple and verbally condemned it (Mark 11). Remember all those tables he flipped over as he yelled, “You have turned God’s house of prayer into a den of thieves!” In Luke 21:20-24 Jesus gave a graphic picture of how Jerusalem will be surrounded by armies and the Temple destroyed.

Jesus knew that Jerusalem and her Temple were about to be destroyed, and he gave it great significance in his teaching. The entire Torah would be set aside once the Temple crumbled. What would replace it? Jesus’ words according to Matthew 7:24. The entire Sermon on the Mount with its blessings, curses, and instructions given from a mountain (sound like Moses' law given on Mount Sinai!?!) are designed to be the new giving of God’s instructions. Jesus is redefining Torah in the same teaching where he says, “Until heaven and earth pass away not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law.” The Torah will remain in force as long as the Temple stands, but Jesus gave a new Torah for when it fell.

Modern Assumptions Mess Up the Bible

If you listen to Jesus with modern astronomy in mind, you will be responsible to obey the Mosaic Law. You're still waiting for the physical space-time universe to collapse so you can stop your ritual purifications and celebration of Succoth. But “heaven and earth” for Jesus wasn't a planet in a galaxy. He was obsessed with where heaven met earth in Jerusalem not the physical universe.

When we mix our assumptions with Jesus’ message, we mess everything up. We create confusion and contradictions of thought in the Bible. We have to conclude that the Mosaic Law reigns until the meteors incinerate our world. Or we just have to ignore Matthew 5:18 along with all the other sayings that make no sense outside their original context.

So hear what Jesus said in First-Century Israel. And relax. You don't have to switch your Sabbath back to Saturday or kill your rebellious kids. You can keep eating bacon (Hallelujah!). “Heaven and earth” passed away when the Romans sacked Jerusalem in 70AD and everything changed. No need to wait for the meteoric destruction of planet earth to stop sacrificing animals and avoiding shellfish in your diet.

Hebrews 9:8-9 stated that the Temple was a symbol of “the present time,” not the New Covenant age that Jesus inaugurated. The arrival of the New Covenant age that Jesus’ death and resurrection made possible meant the Old Covenant with its Temple, sacrifices, and laws would soon come to an end. Hebrews 8 describes that transition as the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy about a New Covenant that will replace the Old Covenant. After Jeremiah 31:31-34 is quoted in that letter, Hebrews 8:13 says, “When God said, ‘A new covenant,’ He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.” Hebrews is talking about the impending destruction of the Temple in the first century. When that happened during the Roman invasion of Jerusalem, the Old Covenant was retired and Jesus’ words remained as the binding instructions to follow to maintain a relationship with God in the new era Jesus had announced. That is the era in which we now live, free from the requirement to obey every little law in the Old Covenant. And that is part of the good news about the Kingdom that Jesus pioneered during his time on earth.

Excerpt from my next book redefining what Jesus really meant in many misunderstood statements where the original context has been missed or ignored. Tentative title is Listening to Jesus in First-Century Israel: so we don't westernize his message and follow the wrong directions

98 Comments

Craig Smith

5/16/2015 07:14:40 am

So does this mean that the Apostle Paul, as well as all of the other believers on Earth at the time of the Jerusalem council, were responsible for keeping the Mosaic law prior to the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D.? Because I'm pretty confident that they would not agree. At all. I appreciate what you're trying to do on this blog--as well as the fact that it is only a blog--but your tone can be pretty dismissive. Not every reader of the Bible is a benighted idiot, and not every modern scholar who disagrees with you is a knuckle-dragging anti-intellectual troll who is unaware of cultural background. This is an interesting piece of exegesis and stands on its own merit, it doesn't need your grandiose expansion of it trying to be a proof text about how all modern readers of the Bible are wrong because of their biases (except you, of course). This is a helpful article and you are a talented scholar. Don't let people miss your message because of your hermeneutical hobby horse(s) or your tone.

Paul

5/16/2015 03:42:06 pm

Craig -
Thanks for your perspective. I'm not quite aware of which elements create the unbecoming tone you describe. I did attempt to summarize a common interpretive problem encountered in Matthew 5:18 by highlighting the logical conclusion that we have to obey a lot of laws. The intention of highlighting a few extreme ones (ie, killing rebellious children) is meant to catch people's attention not insult their intellect. I do make simple contrasts between universal destruction and the temple's destruction to show the clear interpretive consequences of how deep your historical-cultural analysis goes. I do not mean to imply everyone else has no relevant background information (in the opening or closing sections) but rather to set up a rhetorical interlocutor that helps demonstrate the need to do our homework well so we can go beyond biases and blinders that affect the accuracy of our interpretations. If you could recommend a few concrete statements I make that should be edited or removed to improve the tone, I'd love to make those changes ASAP. I will be writing a future post about how Jesus redefined Torah for the intervening and New Covenant era in the Sermon on the Mount. That redefinition forced conversations such as the Jerusalem Council and will answer your initial question.

Daniel Potts

10/1/2018 05:46:47 pm

I loved the way you approached it and was not the least bit offended. I like 'tongue in cheek' stuff. Thanks for a great contribution to how Scripture should be interpreted.

Jim

11/19/2018 08:14:53 pm

I do see a good point in Craig's argument - we do see, however, that even with the Law being still "not-passed-away", Jesus gave Peter a very significant authority: "whatever you bind on Earth will be bound in Heaven, and what you loose on Earth will be loosed in Heaven." This was a statement about the binding and loosing of people from following certain laws. It was Peter, who in the counsel of Jerusalem established the binding and loosing for the Christians in that era, and then the temple was destroyed. Good content though

Jamey

6/17/2020 02:00:19 pm

I didn't gather anything but a factual tone from what you stated. I appreciate this article because it concludes exactly what my studies have also lead me to conclude. Upon my study of the historical context of the bible, so many things fell into place and made perfect sense that I had questions about before. I believe what is needed is a book written, taking the scriptures and placing then within their historical context. It will in ther beginning be dismissed, but eventually all will get it, and we can finally embrace the words of jesus fully and watch the earth transform.

Edward Hara

3/3/2021 07:32:05 am

Paul - wonderful teaching here. May I have your permission to quote two paragraphs in my upcoming book on eschatology? I will, of course, give full credit to you and your site.

Thanks for the kind consideration!

Ed

Paul Briggs

3/31/2021 11:22:59 am

Paul said clearly;
BEFORE the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up UNTIL the faith that was to come would be revealed. So the law was our guardian UNTIL Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. Galatians 3:23-24
He does not say we are under the old covenant law until the temple is destroyed and the sacrificial system is abolished, but rather we are no longer under the law NOW that faith in Christ has come.

dan

10/20/2017 06:36:21 am

The answer to your question is no. Jewish Christians did not have to keep the law since Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law, that every one who has faith may be justified.

While the OT was fading and the church waited for the revelation of the kingdom at the presence of Jesus in Heaven, they were under grace, not law.

Richard Shepler

3/23/2018 11:44:02 am

Jesus being the "end" of the law does not ring true in your arguement. The word translated end here means the point of or the goal of ... Not termination of..

charles

12/12/2019 08:44:45 am

Christ was the end of which law? Can we make idols and bow down to them? no, then which law? Roman 8:2 state we were in bondage to the law of sin and death. That law dealt with sin and death. animal sacrifice was that law. When Israel (sinned) through ignorance LEV 4:2-20 they were required to kill a bullock (death)

Tyler Ray Johnson

11/2/2017 12:48:55 pm

Lol. Wow. I didn’t even see any harmful tone until you responded Craig. Everything will be ok. I wish I could give you a hug or a cookie...

Lara

3/9/2018 05:28:14 pm

I am not picking up on any arrogant or belittling tone at all.

Tony Cavicchia

4/11/2019 06:24:47 am

You assumed correctly. The Jews who were believers, did observe the Mosaic laws, until the destruction of the temple. You see Paul observing many of those rituals. On the other hand. The Gentile believers did no such thing, as was defined at the Council of Jerusalem. Acts 15.

dylinda

3/7/2020 04:09:46 am

Paul? he spoke against it, apart from shaving his head, did they keep passover etcetc

John Joyce
Maybe you should read the bible yourself, listening to opinions will not help,
Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2There the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from within a bush. Moses saw the bush ablaze with fire, but it was not consumed! 3So Moses thought, “I must go over and see this marvelous sight. Why is the bush not burning up?”
KJV
And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
Are you catholic? The Pope doesn't read the bible either,
The trinity visit Abraham as three men, sit down and have lunch with him, so much for that mystery.
"Now the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day. When he lifted up his eyes and looked, behold, three men were standing opposite him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth,"
Then they tell old Abe your wife will give birth and Sarah laughs in his face, then she lies to his face, deary me, its her fault we have this muslamic problem, anyway
Jesus bombs Sodom and the Father and Holy Ghost keep chatting on with old Abe
Josh bumps into some bloke, who is it?
Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in His hand. Joshua approached Him and asked, “Are You for us or for our enemies?” 14“Neither,” He replied. “I have now come as Commander of the LORD’s army.” Then Joshua fell facedown in reverence and asked Him, “What does my Lord have to say to His servant?”…
Its a facinating book but religion wont tell you the truth and everyone else will bullshit you.
Start from Genisis its unbelievable what it says, its nothing like you thought, the woman was decieved adam sinned blamed the woman,
adam is a bastard and the first prophet of islam the father of religion and the lie.
Its an unending tale of the TRUTH from the beginng, let GOD be true for every man is a liar
Like · Reply · 1m

Chris

4/2/2020 09:39:10 am

Nothing has changed in 2000 years. Many Men of “knowledge” and learning are still ignorant and void of the indwelling spirit and have again changed the New Testament into the letter that kills. It amazes me how many professors of faith are no different than Nicodemus who are plenty religious but empty of Spiritual wisdom. Shalom to all

Elaine Fuehrer

9/1/2021 04:35:39 pm

i agree

Richard Yarbrough

6/14/2020 03:52:55 pm

Response to Craig Smith
Paul and Christians were not under the law. Jesus fufilled the law by His death and resurrection. The law was the Mosaic Covent, a contract with God. Jesus came not to abolish, nulify, the contract but to fufill the terms of the law. A house mortgage is a contract that is fufilled when the loan is paid off. No more terms need to be satisfied. Jesus paid it all, those in Christ have no obligation to the law. They are bound to the new and better covenant in His blood poured out for us. Christians, then and now, are under the law of the Spirit and life in Christ Jesus. See Romans chapters 6-8.

Those who rejected Jesus as their Messiah remained under the law, the Mosaic covenant until the Temple, heaven and earth was destroyed.
This distruction fufilled the curses of the law as stated in Deuteronomy chapters 29-30. The law is fufilled and has passed away with the distinction of Temple, Heb. 8:13. Only from the death of the Lamb of God, Jesus, to the fall of Jerusalem were there two different covenants in effect over two different peoples.
No one, not modern day Jews, or Christians that still look for a third Temple and renewed animal sacrifices, is obligated under the old covenant of the Mosaic Law. Hebrews 5:11 through 6:8 is addressing Christians who were returning to Temple worship and animal sacrifices. Heb. 6:4-8 is not a proof text that Christians after the distruction of the Temple can loose their salvation.

NAH FAM link

7/24/2020 10:16:41 am

BROOOO NAH NAH NAH. EISEGESIS. THIS AINT EXEGESIS. Heaven ADN EARTH MEANS HEAVEN AND EARTH> DUHHH

Ken

7/24/2020 11:57:08 am

Mmmm hmmm. And I bet the Bible was written FOR you, too. :/

Maybe have more respect for those who have studied the language and word usage of the culture in which the words were actually written

It's amazing what you can learn when you have a teachable mind.

Edward Hara link

3/31/2021 12:22:50 pm

Actually, I seem to remember reading that the believers right after Christ's Passion and glorious Resurrection did think of themselves as Jews and did continue in things like going to Temple for worship, observing the Monday and Thursday fasting rules, and other particulars of the Jewish faith.

I think the time between Christ's Ascension and the destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD was pretty much a transitional time and was confusing to a lot of folks, which is why St. Paul had so much trouble with those of the "Circumcision Party."

Paul (author)

3/31/2021 11:22:00 pm

You are right on all accounts. It was a transitional generation as the Gospel went out into every region of the known world in and around the Roman Empire. The Spirit arrived at Pentecost in Jersulem and then was spread to other people in other nations. The events predicted in Isaiah 40-66 of God sending a king to save his people and then sending them out after they gather in Jerusalem to be witnesses all took place and the book of Acts records how the transition transpired.

Thomas G Fish

9/8/2021 12:08:56 pm

You will notice that Paul did in fact still practice ceremonial washings and such because the law was still in effect. I had the same confusion for awhile. I always wondered " why" he did that.

Craig

5/18/2015 07:42:00 am

"Before all you Theonomists who want to enforce Mosaic Law today start saying “I told you so” to Dispensationalists who dismiss the Law's applicability (is that even a word?), let’s make sure we hear what Jesus meant. The historical background is going to blow your mind. It will require you to put down your apocalyptic imaginations of meteors hitting earth and start seeing the world Jesus talked about." It makes it seem like theonomists and/or dispensationalists are just unaware of cultural background (or the preterist view of eschatology). Probably many aren't, but some have considered that view and simply reject it.
The truth is that my comment regarding this post is probably worded too strongly (ironic, given its content). Having read some of your previous entries (and comment interactions)--especially those about personal bible reading and the post about calvin and servetus-- it seems to me like you are occasionally provocative or harsh for the purpose of sensationalism; if I am being fair, this post has much less of that.
I look forward to your further writing(s).

Rudy Alexeeff

5/20/2015 01:58:21 am

Craig,
I appreciate your comments and perspective. Being sensational may not add to the validity of an argument for sure. But would you at least agree that the degree of sensationalism is at least matched evenly with the other side who cries "Blood Moons!" and "The end of days will be on such and such a date!" and "Obama is the anti-christ for these reasons!"?

Craig

5/22/2015 11:01:30 am

I would certainly agree with that. And like I admitted above, the truth is that my response here was probably too strongly worded and was influenced by my perception of this whole blog more than it was by this individual post.

Hayley L Harvey

6/28/2018 11:21:02 pm

I finally found someone else who understands the Bible n what it truly means. Thank you & God Bless

dylinda

3/7/2020 03:54:13 am

Josephus?

Wade Gwin link

5/22/2015 07:47:39 am

Hi Paul,

I have a couple of questions:

1. Is it absolutely certain that "heaven and earth" meant what you are describing? Is there any evidence in the original text for us to think otherwise?

2. Wasn't it the new covenant (via Christ at Calvary) that replaced the Law (~33AD) vs the destruction of Israel (70AD)?

Paul Penley

6/10/2015 02:07:16 pm

Wade -

Great questions.

1. The grammar and lexical choices in the verse connect Jesus' words in Matthew 5:18 to his description of "heaven and earth" in Matthew 24. See, for example, Matthew 24:35. They do not give any direct clues about its reference to the universe or the Temple in the Greek text. So we have to interpret the saying in light of the whole sermon, the context of Matthew 24, and the historical context. Matthew 24 is Jesus' answer to the disciples' question about when the Temple will be destroyed and the "Sermon on the Mount" ends with reference to a "house built on sand falling down" (Matthew 7:24-27). The parable of a house built on a rock or on sand is Jesus claiming that his words are more long-lasting than the Temple that people thought was built on a rock. So the Sermon on the Mount and its connection to Matthew 24 reinforce the interpretation above. The larger historical context contexts Jesus' language with the Temple. In addition to the evidence above, you can read the Rabbis describe the Temple in the Mishnah and Talmud. They say the Ark of the Covenant in the Most Holy Place rested on "the foundation-stone," on which the world was based (Yoma 54b). The universal imagery and tradition is all there.

2. As for the inauguration of the New Covenant, you are right that Christ's death and resurrection associated with the breaking of the veil in the Temple in Matthew's Gospel ended the need for the Old Covenant. However, the Old Covenant could be practiced until the Temple was destroyed. So the New Testament paradigm is the transition of the ages from the Old to the New Covenant. Hebrews spells it out clearly describing the Old Covenant as "obsolete" and "about to disappear." It wasn't wiped out completely until people could no longer return to the Temple for sacrifices. My next book will include the illustration I have created to show how the transition of the ages took place between ~30 and 70AD.

Wade Gwin link

6/12/2015 06:12:43 am

Hey Paul. Thanks for your explanation; I agree. Grammar and cultural allusions cannot be ignored when interpreting scripture!

I'm currently digesting "Before Jerusalem Fell" (Gentry) with Rudy. It has opened my eyes to the prophetic portions of the bible like never before. I'm looking forward to your book!

Michael Biehler link

10/19/2017 07:52:20 am

Paul, with respect to the issue of the believers' continued observance of the Law during the period of transition between the resurrection and AD 70, I would like to draw one verse to your attention. In Acts 21:20 we read that, at that time, the Jewish believers were "all zealous for the law."

I too have written a book and in that book, one chapter is titled "Heaven and Earth have Passed Away." Another verse that I use to show that the phrase is used as a metaphor is Isaiah 51:16... you can read about it at: http://bamboozledbelievers.com/new-heaven-new-earth-blunder-part-3-5/

dylinda

3/7/2020 04:16:58 am

Can scripture support your heaven earth theory, or is josephus sufficient

Doug Wilkinson

6/25/2016 07:54:40 am

To address question #2, I'd suggest looking closely at the beginning of Romans 7. There, speaking to the people who had had a relationship to the Mosaic Law (which could only have been the former Jews, since Gentile Christians had never been under the Law and so didn't have to leave it behind to join Christ), Paul tells them that they have to consider themselves dead to the Law in order to marry someone else. They were to join in Christ's death in order to break their obligation to their first marriage. Otherwise, they'd be spiritual adulterers since they would be practicing two modes of spirituality at the same time. This indicates that the Mosaic Law is something that continued in some way after the cross. Throughout most of Paul's writings (but particularly Galatians and Hebrews) he is trying to keep people from returning to their relationship to the Law, which wouldn't make sense if it didn't exist anymore. The Law was dealt a fatal blow at the cross (it had been made obsolete), but it hadn't faded away completely in the New Testament narrative. Since it has by now, we should be able to find a historical event that reflects this. The destruction of the Temple, the priest class, and the rest of the elements of Mosaic Law worship is the most logical option.

Paul Penley

7/11/2016 09:21:00 pm

Good input, Doug

Hayley L Harvey

6/28/2018 11:41:28 pm

The New Heavens n New Earth is saying all the Old is gone and made new. The Old Testament, The Old Covenant, The Old Heavens & The Old Earth it is Noe the New Testament, New Covenant, New Heavens, New Earth & The New Spiritual Jerusalem. It's Not referring to a literal New Earth that we will be living on with Yeshua. Yeshua is already here n will be forever. There's an enormous amount of Deception going on and it's taken over the internet. Stay away from YouTube for sure. It is full of lies. When researching something try to find something different that is not being said over n over again by many this is all the false Interpretations. Make sure to research who the person is teaching it. For preacher's I put their name with a false teacher or prophet Behind it n you'll see then what investigators (persay) have to say or else you'll get pages of nothing but goodness on that person n the information you want to know is buried under it. It's like the spreading of the Pre Tribulation Rapture, that was made up by a Jesuit n has been passed down for yrs. If ppl would acractua read their own Bible they can see that that is a False Teaching. Just think why would Yeshiva tell the Jews to flee Judean? I'm doing some post myself in a group to show meanings of the Bible n to prove that All Bible Prophecies had already been fullfilled. And another thing. If the New Heavens n New Earth was literal And we are supposed to reign here on Earth with Yeshua ( which by the way is symbolic) then think of about this. Why would Yeshua say I go and prepare a place for you and it has many mansions ( paraphrasing) and if ppl were to reign on The so called New Earth then why would those who slept n was resurressured and taken up in the clouds ( heaven) n those that survived will be caught up in the Clouds

cking

2/17/2016 07:03:07 pm

I thoroughly enjoyed the article but Theonomists that I read don't mean that we should "enforce" the mosaic law. They do believe the NT has modified the Old Law and that both the NT and OT it should be used as a model for application in our culture. this would come via spreading of the gospel and disciplining the nations not by shear political might or imposition.

Andrew

6/25/2016 08:59:38 pm

Taking the gospels as historical ignores that they were not historical at all. That assumption ignores the truth.... and the Jesu character's only purpose was to bear witness to The Truth.

There is no need to guess or to speculate...for The Truth is written plainly...all u have to do is remove the contadictions from you....not what ia written.

DOASalesman link

7/2/2016 04:03:33 am

The tabernacle was taken down and replaced by the 1st temple which later, having been defiled, passed away (was destroyed). That temple was replaced by the second temple which later, having been made profane, passed away.

Yahusha spoke of his own body being the temple. In Corinthians we are told that our own bodies are the temple.

Going by your reasoning, the law has passed away multiple times. If you're using the presence of the building to mean the law hadn't passed away, that would mean the law didn't pass away until decades after the death and resurrection of the Messiah. However if you're choosing the body of the Messiah instead of the building, that would mean the law came back (temple was rebuilt) three days later just as it did with the rebuilding of the temple.

Here's my reasoning please tell me where it's flawed: When one is dead to sin, the law requiring that sinner's death is complete and so dead to them; If sin is still punishable, this is because one has not become dead to sin and so will suffer the death penalty; if sin is still possible, then the law still exists because "sin is the transgression of the law" is the definition of sin used throughout the Bible.

As regards to the application of the law of יהוה (not Moses) you'll realise that any kid who actually got executed for rebellion must have been one seriously messed up kid. Firstly, the parents of the child had to choose to have this done, then the evidence had to be sufficient to convince a group of judges and elders. What kind of act would make any parent want to kill their child!? Also, even though multiple temples pass away every day, I've seen no evidence that pigs' 🐖 and crustaceans' 🚾 biology have changed, and so I'll gladly avoid trichinosis and toxic death safely, by following the Maker's manual, thank you very much.

Paul

7/11/2016 09:27:00 pm

Be careful not to rely on systematic logic (which is full of culturally informed assumptions) to "reason" the meaning of a Bible passage when the context of Jesus' prediction (looking at and talking about the Temple's destruction with his disciples) and the cultural idioms he employs (as defined by use in similar Jewish conversations preserved in ancient rabbinic texts) make the meaning clear. The writer of Hebrews does confirm this interpretation when the author states, "the first covenant is obsolete and what is becoming obsolete and growing old is about to disappear" (Hebrews 8:13).

DOASalesman

12/20/2016 12:21:25 pm

I am confused. You suggest that we ought to not rely on systemic logic because it's full of culturally informed assumptions. What are we doing when we rely on the rabbinical texts? & Is this any more useful than relying on Catholic texts?

The writer of Hebrews actually says that we have a better Covenant. I believe he also wrote about what is better about this new covenant. This morning I reread it and saw that the differences were quite specific. They include: a better priesthood & priest; a better sacrifice (blood of Christ trumps the blood of bulls); and where the laws are to be stored (in our hearts not on blocks in a box)

KJV Heb 10:16: 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

Brad

7/7/2016 03:45:33 am

...till all is fulfilled. Which occurred in Christ when He finished His ministry at death. "It is finished"

Anna

7/24/2016 12:06:08 am

The High Priest was not finished with his duties after the sacrifice was offered but he had to 'return to the people' and sprinkle them. Jesus had to return and announce us 'HOLY to the LORD.'
The law of firstfruits applies to the nation of Israel: 'If the first pinch of dough offered to the Lord is HOLY then the whole batch is HOLY.
They were the firstfruits. They had to fill up the measure of Christ's suffereing. They had to endure till the end and be martyred for the faith. They, as bondservants with a cruel Master, had to be obedient to be 'adopted' so they could inherit with the FREE WOMAN and her son.
We are not bondservants nor firstfruits.
Sons and Daughters of a loving Father never have to fear being 'cast out' as bondservants/slaves did.

Tyler Ray Johnson

11/2/2017 01:07:32 pm

Very interesting thank you!

J.R.

7/28/2016 07:06:01 am

Paul - I saw in one of your previous comments (May 2015) where you said "I will be writing a future post about how Jesus redefined Torah for the intervening and New Covenant era in the Sermon on the Mount." Just wondering if you have gotten around to writing this yet? I think it may prove very helpful in initiating this discussion with a few of my friends.

Paul Penley

8/3/2016 02:07:23 pm

J.R. - I have not written that post. It is part of a new book I have planned to write from research I completed. However, developing www.BibleStudySkillsTest.com and working on a TV show deal has eaten up my time over the past year. I will put it back on my list of Blog drafts to complete. There is a whole conversation among the Jews captured in some Dead Sea Scrolls that are essential for understanding what Jesus was doing in his redefinition of the Torah!

Alan

8/3/2016 04:12:00 am

I understand it as "one age passes as the next is ushered in" or as my friend Dr Preston says the already but the not yet. Just before Paul caused the riot in Jerusalem before being sent to Rome, he was asked by the church to go to the temple for the nazarite vow. As long as the temple stood the old law was active.

That said the law is only for the Jew. Galatians says "why have you left the first teachings". Jewish Christians were trying to make Jewish prostlytes out of Gentiles. Pauls argument wasn't the law is dead. It was you were accepted as Gentiles as they were.

Finally Jesus said in Mat 24 "all these things must happen in this generation". This phrase has caused issues with popular interpretations causing them to use poor exegeticle practices.

Nice article by the way. Would love to have references On heaven an earth

Paul Penley

8/3/2016 02:00:27 pm

Alan, sounds like you have good teachers and have done some good exegesis. Let me know if there is a specific reference about "heaven and earth" that I did not cite above or you want clarified

Abe

12/19/2016 10:59:57 am

This is what you call creative theology. Let the scriptures interpret scripture. Please don't get lost in Jewish fables when your previous conclusions conflict with the words of Christ. We are no longer under the Law of sin and death. God's law still stands. I'm going with heaven and earth as is obvious in the scriptures. In the beginning God created heaven and earth, not speaking at all about the temple. Poor stretch of interpretation.

Paul

12/22/2016 10:32:21 pm

Abe -
Thanks for championing the sound hermeneutical advice to let Scripture interpret Scripture. That is why I mentioned how Isaiah uses the exact same phrase "heaven and earth" to refer to Jerusalem and her temple. You can also see in my other comments to readers about how Hebrews 8 and Matthew 24 use the same expression to refer to the ultimate destruction of the Temple--a place necessary to obey the Mosaic laws. I agree with you that "God's law still stands" as long as you mean what Jesus meant = the law of Christ (as James calls it) is the sum total of his teaching (which he said at the end of the Sermon on the Mount would outlast the Temple with its priesthood and sacrifices). Make sure you carefully check all possible meanings a word or phrase can have throughout the Bible so you don't read in a meaning from another book, culture, time, genre, author, and language just because it seems obvious to you at first.

Randy

10/23/2017 11:23:44 am

Paul, I think Michael Erickson pretty much killed this post/thread.

His comment:

// the temple only REPRESENTED the actual heavens and earth that scripture says was to pass away.

Isa 51:6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look on the earth beneath; for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall become old like a garment; and its inhabitants shall die in the same way. But My salvation shall be forever, and My righteousness shall not be broken.

Psa 102:25 Of old You have laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the work of Your hands.
Psa 102:26 They shall perish, but You shall endure; yea, all of them shall become old like a garment; like a robe You shall change them, and they shall be changed;

^Pretty sure looking up and down at heaven and earth and them being created "of old" is a reference back to Genesis 1...not to a temple built by men thousands of years later. //

Yacob

2/2/2017 02:48:25 pm

Paul

Excellent! You've done an incredible job bringing us a more faithful presentation to the context in context with the things you've presented. :-)

Kevin Maxwell

10/19/2017 12:02:22 am

AMEN, keep preaching it bro.

Michael Erickson

10/19/2017 03:46:05 am

the temple only REPRESENTED the actual heavens and earth that scripture says was to pass away.

Isa 51:6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look on the earth beneath; for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall become old like a garment; and its inhabitants shall die in the same way. But My salvation shall be forever, and My righteousness shall not be broken.

Psa 102:25 Of old You have laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the work of Your hands.
Psa 102:26 They shall perish, but You shall endure; yea, all of them shall become old like a garment; like a robe You shall change them, and they shall be changed;

^Pretty sure looking up and down at heaven and earth and them being created "of old" is a reference back to Genesis 1...not to a temple built by men thousands of years later.

Randy

10/23/2017 10:57:28 am

Interesting comment, Michael. I thought all preterists believed earth would always be here and never perish as 1 Peter 3 says.

Pastor Jordan link

11/29/2017 10:31:48 am

Excellent blog post! Thanks!!!

And I don't have a clue what was meant by your supposed "tone." You didn't come across as disrespectful or condescending at all.

Ken

2/26/2018 07:50:43 am

I don't know if you still answer questions on this blog, but I came across it while trying to do some research into the idea of the Heavens and the Earth being the temple. I'm a former dispensationalist who has recently moved to full Preterism. I'm with you that Jesus prophesies were nearly exclusively about the fall of Jerusalem in 70AD. However, there are other passages that mention "the heavens and the earth" where it's not quite as cut and dried. I was hoping I could get your feedback on 2 Peter 3 where Peter uses the term heavens and earth in much the same way it's used in Matthew, but DEFINES it as God's creation that was once destroyed by the flood. What do you think Peter believed and was communicating in this passage. As a Preterist, I would LOVE for this to fit into that framework, but I have to admit it's simply not that easy.

Jerry

3/22/2018 09:37:06 am

HI Ken,

Most (but not all) full Prets were once Dispy's (like myself). I've been a full Preterist for a very long time, having been raised conservative Southern Baptist 30+ years and wised up the last 20. In this chapter, it also mentions the world was destroyed being flooded by water. World here wasn't Kosmos. Even during the flood the Kosmos didn't get destroyed. If you read on in the chapter, you will see chapter 13 which references Isaiah 65:17 which is the new heavens and earth. If you notice:
vs 20- there will still be physical death
vs 21- there will still be building of houses
vs 22- there will still be agriculture
vs 23 - there will still be child bearing
vs 24 - God still hears prayers

If you reference 2 Peter 3 to this it should make sense. Also, if you go to YouTube, I believe David Curtis at Berean Bible Church did a sermon on this. Search for 2 Peter 3 under Berean Bible Church profile.

Ken

3/23/2018 09:58:03 am

Thanks for the info and pointer to more information. I searched the Berean Youtube channel, but couldn't figure out which video covered this passage, and there are a LOT of videos. Any way you could narrow it down further?

Also, in the Isaiah passage it mentions the wolf and lion being non-predatory animals. Do you think this is an element of future evolution, or do you think it's speaking metaphorically of aggressive PEOPLE becoming peaceful since the last verse talks about them living in peace?

Jerry

3/23/2018 11:54:43 am

I'll try and find that video. He has allot of information on this as well as William Bell "all things fulfilled" and many more Bible scholars. As far as the wild animals being tame, from my perspective it seems to always refer to Jews / Gentiles who have historically opposed one another and hated one another, be reconciled through Christ.

Ken

3/23/2018 06:10:00 pm

Yeah, the Jew/Greek thing makes some sense, too. It seems like nature would have to be totally rewired for it to be a literal thing. I just don't see God remaking nature. Lions wouldn't be lions, for instance, if they didn't use their size, teeth and claws to do what lions do. Otherwise, what would be the point of those God-given (even if it evolved that way) attributes?

And thanks for looking for that video.

Jerry

3/24/2018 03:34:47 am

Hey Brother, I'm sorry I gave you the wrong title. I had to hunt for it. The sermon that I was referring to is titled "What the BIble Says About the End of the World (Hebrew 1:10-14). I don't know if I can post urls on this forum but it is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dom-8UCYumI

The above url may or may not work depending on the moderator's choice or coded software, but you still can find it by search the title I provided. David Curtis addresses 2 Peter 3 in this sermon. Sorry, it has been years since I heard it and forgot the title of the sermon, but it was really good in my opinion,

Ken

3/24/2018 11:16:47 am

Not only did the link worked, it worked IN my email. I just came here to say thank you again for taking the time to do that. I'll let you know if I have any thoughts or questions after I watch it.

Jerry

3/24/2018 06:15:37 pm

Hope you enjoy it. I'm almost sure there is an older one out there that I saw but still cannot find it. At least it is addressing the topic that you were looking for.

kenneth morgan

5/10/2018 11:54:35 pm

Thanks for the lesson,and yes the LOM every jot, and every tittle was to be kept by the believing Jews that had come to Christ by faith in Him, as the one that was promised in their law for hundreds of years;When the Apostle Paul came to Jerusalem in Acts 21 we find/or see that when he [Paul] was confronted by/or greeted by James and all the elders that news had come/or spread to the jews that Paul was going around preaching and teaching that the Jews didn't even have circumcise their children, and didn't have to keep the LOM, Paul flat handed denied..Now notice real close what came about; Act 21:20 And when they heard it,[the good news about the gentiles] they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of >Jews there are which believe;<[Christian Jews]< and they are all *zealous of the law*:Notice that, the believing Jews/Christian Jews were still keeping the LOM the Law Just as Jesus had said in [Matt.5:18] not one jot or one tittle would pass UNTIL all be fulfilled [Luk 21:20] And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh..Luk 21:22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled..So we if we read the rest of what went on there at Jerusalem, that the Elders told Paul that thousands of the believing Jews had heard that he had been guilty of teaching all those things against the Law,so they said;Act 21:23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;
Act 21:24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may *know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing;* but that thou(Paul) thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law..So Paul was keeping the Law right to the letter,not for Justification of sin,because the law could never take away sin,but it could condemn the Jew that didn't keep it while it was decaying and waxing old and ready to vanish away (Heb.8:13) So in conclusion, the law was still intact 30 years after the Cross and Pentecost,but was as the Heb.writer said, was waxing old and READY to fulfilled every jot and every tittle at the close of that AGE,Jewish that is..

Douglas Wilkinson

5/11/2018 12:07:25 am

Actually, the whole point of Galatians is that if you failed to make the transition to the New Covenant through faith like Abraham had then you would be lost. Works of the Law would do the Jews (and those who they'd recruited into Judaism to get to Christ) no good.Compare that to Romans 7. As a Jew, you could not join the New Covenant without dying to your identity under the Old Covenant.

Barry G Pechous II

7/26/2018 08:28:33 pm

The Law was given on Sinai and established the 1st Covenant. This day was known and still is known to Jewish people as "Shavuot" Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't the New Covenant given on the same day westerners call "Pentecost?" The Torah law was given the first time around and death came to 3000. The Spirit of the Torah law (Jesus Spirit) was poured out, giving life to 3000 according to Acts 2:38-41

Paul Briggs

3/31/2021 10:39:35 am

Barry, I agree with that. Moreover if the teaching that "not the least stroke of the pen (jot or tittle) would pass away from the law" meant that the letter of the law was still in effect, then the Ethiopian eunuch baptized by Phillip in Acts 8:38 was a sinful act since the old covenant plainly states:
No one who has been emasculated by crushing or cutting may enter the assembly of the LORD. Deuteronomy 23:1
In fact the contradictions in the teaching that the law was still in effect after the death and resurrection becomes quite obnoxious and disgusting after a while.

Larry Puckett, Sr link

8/5/2018 11:06:29 am

Just seen this site today, very good post. I would like to add one thing to your article.

Let us try to think like a first century Jew.
The Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus, in the 13th year of the reign of Roman emperor Flavius Domitian which was around AD 93 or 94. In his Book 3, he is explaining the construction of the tabernacle, Temple and it’s interesting what he call the most holy place.

Book 3, CH 6 – Antiquities of the Jews,
4. …Now the room within those pillars was the most holy place; but the rest of the room was the tabernacle, which was open for the priests. However, this proportion of the measures of the tabernacle proved to be an imitation of the system of the world; for that third part thereof which was within the four pillars, to which the priests were not admitted, is, as it were, a heaven peculiar to God. But the space of the twenty cubits, is, as it were, sea and land, on which men live, and so this part is peculiar to the priests only. But at the front, where the entrance was made, they placed pillars of gold, that stood on bases of brass, in number seven; but then they spread over the tabernacle veils of fine linen and purple, and blue, and scarlet colors, embroidered.
And in Book 3, CH 7 – Antiquities of the Jews,
7….for if any one do without prejudice, and with judgment, look upon these things, he will find they were every one made in way of imitation and representation of the universe. When Moses distinguished the tabernacle into three parts, and allowed two of them to the priests, as a place accessible and common, he denoted the land and the sea, these being of general access to all; but he set apart the third division for God, because heaven is inaccessible to men. And when he ordered twelve loaves to be set on the table, he denoted the year, as distinguished into so many months. By branching out the candlestick into seventy parts, he secretly intimated the Decani, or seventy divisions of the planets; and as to the seven lamps upon the candlesticks, they referred to the course of the planets, of which that is the number.
This was the Jewish heaven, earth and sea that God destroyed when Christ’s return in that generation for the second time. It was the passing, fading away and destroying of God’s throne in the Most Holy Place of the Jewish Temple. This demolition of the temple and the dispersion of the priests put an end to the celebration of the Levitical worship. Only then was the Most Holy Place opened for the righteous soul (Living or dead).
Heb 9:8 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing
:9 (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper,
Still standing does not mean the building but the Levitical system of worship.

Bill Ross link

2/25/2019 02:05:44 pm

Excellent! Here's some more on the current temple: http://www.privideos.com/video/469/the-messianic-temple-and-the-last-days-isaiah-2-4

Marcus Wengerd

3/15/2019 03:17:30 am

I have a few questions.
1. I am trying to believe what you say about heaven and earth being destroyed. I get that logic and I like it. I have found that me liking something doesn’t make it truth. Bummer.
2. The word “heaven” is in my opinion one of the most abused words.
The word ”heaven” is used to describe where “Father” is in verse 15.
It is where we will experience our reward in verse 12.
It is used to describe the kingdom that Jesus wants us to enter in verse 19&20.
It is the “throne of God” in verse 34.

These are all using the same Greek word and are all in the same page in my bible. I am not picking and choosing words out of context. It seems to me that if you wanted to combine this many different meanings surely someone could have come up with a different word to use.
Does anyone knowledge of what the Hebrew or Aramaic words are that would have been used?
So far I have settled on one meaning for the word “heaven”, to me it is the “unseen realm”. I want to find additional meanings that I can rely on.

There was a comment made in the post about ditching Sunday. I think I understand where you are coming from. I would offer the following questions.
Who installed Sunday as the day of worship?
Was Sabbath a mosaic command that many Christians have come to despise or was it creation order?
Has God stopped resting?
Was Sabbath kept until “heaven and earth” was destroyed and then Holy Spirit said to the “followers of the way” it’s Sunday now?

I have more questions than answers.

Daniel Burton

10/29/2019 11:20:00 am

Here is another reference to "heaven and earth" which means something different than the "sky" and the "dirt"
In building the 2nd temple from Haggai...

Haggai 2:21 “Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I am going to shake the heavens and the earth.  

 He tells us exactly what this means.

  22 I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother.

Heaven and Earth means “nations”, "kingdoms", "culture?"

23 “‘On that day,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”

  It means life will change. So heaven and earth must refer to the activities that go on in, above and around us in this context. Our social structure. Which in Jesus time, the central hub of that is the temple.

John Dunn link

6/10/2019 07:19:38 am

The passing away of "heaven and earth" of Matt 5 17-20 was Jesus making an anticipatory statement of His own death on the Cross. He was the One who came to fulfill and accomplish all the Righteousness that was typified in the temple/Law system.

Jesus was and is the true Temple! He is the perfect union of "heaven and earth" in human flesh, as He is both God and Man (Word made Flesh), who tabernacle/dwelt among us. Jesus is the new meeting place where mankind comes to God. He is the Door, the Way, the Curtain of the new and living way.

In multitude of ways, Jesus is identified as the true Temple of God. He identified himself as the Temple (John 2:18-22) that was to be destroyed and raised from the dead. His crucified body is said to represent the Temple curtain that was rent (Heb 10:20). His baptism and reception of the Spirit at the inauguration of His ministry is reflective of the glory of God that filled both the tabernacle and Solomonic Temple when they were first inaugurated for use.

What's even more stunning is our participation with Jesus *as* His Temple. Jesus is identified the Cornerstone of the true Temple that was rejected (Matt 21:42, Acts 4:11, Eph 2:20), and onto which we NC saints are being built together as “living stones”, a Holy Temple, a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Jesus also identified Himself as the ultimate Edenic Temple-Garden when He said, “I am the Vine, you are the branches” (John 15:5). He is also the Olive Tree into whom all the believing branches are ingrafted (Romans 11). The fruitfulness of this divine Temple-Garden of Jesus is seen when his saints produce the heavenly fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). Jesus is both the Door (John 10:7-9) and the Way to God (John 14:6) that has been opened up through a new and living way (Heb 10:20).

In short, there is ample warrant to conclude that Jesus was revealed as the true Spirit-filled Temple of God who dwelt among His people, during the days of his flesh in Israel. And thus there is warrant to conclude that His Matthew 5 saying “until heaven and earth pass away” was a veiled reference to His own death on the cross, which would crucify the old cosmic order and usher in the eschatological newness of the New Covenant, the New Creation, and the New Temple realities of the Spirit-filled community that we presently enjoy.

Fulfillment Anticipated: Matt 5:17-18 – came to fulfill them, nothing of the Law will pass until *heaven and earth* pass away and all accomplished

Fulfillment Accomplished: John 19:30 – It is finished

Fulfillment Inaugurated: Acts 2:1-4 – pouring out of the Spirit

Fulfillment Confirmed: Acts 13:32-33, 39, Acts 15:5, 10-20

Fulfillment Expounded in the New Way: 2 Cor 3, 2 Cor 5:16-21, Rom 7:1-6, Rom 8:1-4, Gal 5:22, Heb 10:20.

The old aeon of Heaven and Earth is dead to believers: 1 Cor 7:31, 1 John 2:8, 17, Romans 6:6, Gal 2:20, 6:14, Eph 4:22, Col 3:9.

New Covenant Temple Fulfillment: John 14:2-3, 1 Cor 3:16-17, Eph 2:21-22, 1 Pet 2:5, 2 Pet 1:4 (partakers of the divine nature), Heb 3:6, Rev 21:22-23.

Phil Wason

4/21/2020 10:22:22 am

Great article. Isn't the gap up till 70AD, which Craig Smith refers to, a transition period when jews could finally come out of the old and into the new? In 2Cor 3, referring to the glory of the 'old', I think it says it was fading and 'will soon come to an end'. Sounds like the mercy of God was providing a time period when 'this 'generation' could come on board? So, no, Paul was fully on board and was leading the way for the rest to follow!

Paul Penley (author)

5/16/2020 12:00:03 am

You are recognizing the New Testament writers’ view of the transition period correctly. I actually created a visual for this “change of the ages” during NT times and posted it in an article on Jesus’ resurrection: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/jesuscreed/2016/03/27/easters-revolutionary-changes-paul-penley/

William Ross link

5/14/2020 09:32:08 am

I don't see where 1 Enoch 26:1 has anything to do with the temple being heaven or earth. ?

Paul Penley (author)

5/15/2020 11:20:00 pm

William -

1 Enoch 26:1 refers to the “navel” or “middle” of the earth. It is the same location where Jubilees 8:19 says Mount Zion is located. 1 Enoch later says a mountain is at that center, or navel, of the earth. They both reflect a similar cosmology, or view of how heaven and earth are laid out. Jubilees certainly goes further than Enoch and connects the garden of eden where God dwells to the holy of Holies, which would be found on Mt Zion in the center of the earth. Enoch focuses on the traditional geographic location of Eden far off in the east, based on Genesis 2’s reference to Eden in the east. The overall takeaway from these Jewish writings that had become popular by Jesus’ time is: people believed the Temple stood on a mountain at the center of the earth and was full of heaven, i.e. God’s presence

Joemar

5/15/2020 05:16:08 pm

Dear Dr. Paul,

Thank you very much for this amazing piece of work. This really is one of the most helpful references I have read about Biblical terminologies such as "heaven and earth". I totally agree with your point regarding the Olivet Discourse. I just hope that many people will start reading the Bible through the eyes of the original usage, context and historical background so that false doctrines will start to be debunked.

Kind regards,
Joemar

Paul Penley (author)

5/15/2020 10:49:28 pm

Thanks Joe. It took so many years of serious study to understand which ancient documents exist that are relevant to what Jesus taught, to read many of them, and then to determine which connections were warranted. So it isn’t easy and will take humility and collaboration for more of us to learn how to listen to Scripture in its original context. We will need to be very patient with each other along the way.

Jose

5/17/2020 01:23:28 pm

I am kind of new to the real meanings of the jewish culture words of the old testament and the first century although I accepted many years ago that Jesus Christ fulfilled all the prophecies in the law, the prophets and the book of psalms and with his death, resurrection and destruction of His enemies, the temple and Jerrusalem, The Kingdom of God was established in this world and in every human being, Christ in us!

Alan

6/10/2020 12:08:50 am

Peace to you from Atlanta, Georgia,

I really appreciate your article. The translations between the Hebrew, Geek and English is a daunting task. (of which I have no ability). That said, what is the difference between the word HEAVEN from "In the beginning God created the HEAVENS and earth" in Genesis 1 and "HEAVEN and earth will pass away" in Mathew.

Also, do you have an article on the dating of John's writings and why the most popular view is post destruction of the temple as compared to pre-destruction of the temple. I believe in the early date but struggle to present my case clearly (words do not always come easily for me.

Thank you for your time and God bless,
Alan

William Ross link

6/10/2020 03:57:32 am

In Revelation 11, the temple is still standing. The angel measures it except for the outer court. In the book of Hebrews, the author discusses how the outer court, where sacrifices were made, indicated that the path to the holiest place was obstructed by the outer court, signifying the the THEN current age:

[Heb 9:6-15 NASB] (6) Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests are continually entering the outer tabernacle performing the divine worship, (7) but into the second, only the high priest enters once a year, not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance. (8) The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the outer tabernacle is still standing, (9) which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, (10) since they relate only to food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of reformation. (11) But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; (12) and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. (13) For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, (14) how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (15) For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

[Rev 11:1-2 NASB] (1) Then there was given me a measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, "Get up and measure the temple of God and the altar, and those who worship in it. (2) "Leave out the court which is outside the temple and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations; and they will tread under foot the holy city for forty-two months.

The 42 months (3.5 years) is the Great Tribulation, when the temple and Jerusalem are destroyed by the Romans in the Great Revolt of Circa 70 AD.

So the obstruction has been removed. The temple was still standing in Revelation 11 but when it was rebuilt without hands, consisting of living stones (the body of Christ) there is no longer the obstruction of the sacrificial system. Revelation is, in fact, the story of two cities: Earthly Jerusalem being destroyed and the New Jerusalem descending from the sky and becoming the new dwelling place of God on Earth.

Ostensibly, at least, it was written while the Jerusalem temple had not yet been destroyed and John only witnessed it “in the spirit”, prophetically, to tell God’s servants what was right about to happen, any minute.

Paul Briggs

3/31/2021 10:50:48 am

I respectfully submit that the temple being described in Revelation11 is a rebuilt temple that some have called the tribulation temple. It has yet to be rebuilt but will be rebuilt in the days to come by those Jews living in Jerusalem at this time leading up to the tribulation. If you have evidence that this could not be the case in Revelation 11, then please respond.

Paul Penley (author)

7/16/2020 10:38:53 pm

Alan - Heaven and earth in Genesis 1 and Matthew 5 are written in two different languages, and Genesis 1 precedes Matthew 5 by hundreds of years. The expression in Matthew 5 picks up on the original idea of Genesis 1 where heaven is the realm of God and earth is humanity’s place, but it is also influenced by how Jewish teachers used the phrase to refer to Jerusalem and its Temple in the intervening period between the writing of Genesis and Matthew (e.g., Isaiah 65:17-25). The astronomical design of the Temple’s interior was pointed out by Jewish writers who recognized the Temple was where heaven met earth, or the place where the God up there mingled with humans down here. So “heaven and earth” in Matthew 5 picks up on the meaning in Genesis, but it has attached a lot more precise meaning to it from the ongoing discussions of prophets and rabbis.

As for the date of Revelation, most put it late in the first century because of an ambivalent quote about John from Irenaeus that could read either: it was seen OR he was seen... at the end of Domitian’s reign. The church historian assumes that Irenaeus means “it was seen” and therefore puts John’s exile on Patmos during Domitian’s reign. But the original Greek only has a third person singular verb and an unstated subject. Irenaeus could just be referring to John being alive at that time and saying nothing about when John had the visions. So we have to date the book of Revelation from internal evidence in the book since this external evidence is ambiguous. For a full argument for an early date in the late 60s, see Ken Gentry’s book “Before Jerusalem Fell.”

Christopher Warren link

10/2/2020 09:56:51 am

If your thesis is true, that the absence of the Temple following its destruction in AD 70 means no obligation to Torah-obedience any longer, then are you saying that no Torah-obedience was required of Judah between the destruction of the First Temple by the Babylonians and the construction of the Second Temple? because that is the implication. Additionally, since there was no Temple in Abraham's day it would mean Abraham was not under any obligation to Torah-obedience either. And yet we're told he was obedient to the torot, mishpatim and chukkim. The thesis breaks down in this light, does it not?

Shlomi

10/18/2020 01:07:37 pm

I am a Jewish believer in Jesus and this is a reply I sent to a friend who sent me this article.

the more I could see the holes in the narrative (no, not the Qur'an) weather done due to lack of knowledge or intentionally the writer has left out very important information and incorporated his own thoughts into the writings of others as you will see.

• Heaven & Earth In Jewish Though

I do affirm the use of Heaven and earth can be a reference to a new order of things but what I definitely don't agree with is that this is an exclusive reference only to the Temple and the Law of Torah. In Deuteronomy 4:26, 30:19, 31:28, 32:1 and Isaiah 1:2 all use this symbolism of Heaven and earth in various different ways. For example, in Deuteronomy 4:26 G-d calls upon the Heavens (plural) as a witness against the Israelites that they will soon be utterly destroyed the Hebrew word 'shamayim' is used here which literally means the created order. In Deuteronomy 30:19 G-d calls upon the shamayim and the earth as witnesses against the Israelites to choose life (Law of Torah, yes you read that correctly the Law of Torah is called life) or death. Infact, there isn't a single time "Heaven and earth" is used in the Tanakh as a reference to the Temple or the Law of Torah BUT I do agree ancient Jews did accept the Temple was a gateway to G-d, however our understanding of Heaven compared to that of ancient Judaism isn't the same this is something we DEFINITELY can not disregard.

There are four Hebrew words for Heaven.

1.) Rakia which means the firmament and can be used for the the dwelling place of G-ds presence.

2.) Marom which has some references to a mountain.

3.) Shechakim which means the exampanes between the three tires of Heaven (yes, Jews accept three levels)

4.) Shamayim of course which I know with certainty can only mean the created order.

I didn't want to use Hebrew incase you feel I have become too technical or I am being decitful but I want to give the best defense I can for what I stand for. I read the citations used from Josephus by this article and I actually happen to have Jewish Antiquities by Flavious Josephus and he does insinuate the Temple of G-d is a gateway to Heaven (which I actually didn't know) but by simply reading these citations you will see he understands "Heaven and earth" to be strictly of the Temple this is where the author of the article inserted his own thoughts he even went as far to cite Numbers Rabbah a Rabbinic work which is just laughable the thought of Torah Law passing away in Jewish literature isn't there this would be enough to get a sinner utterly outcasted. I can recite over and over and over again the Rabbis claiming the Torah is as eternal as G-d Himself. Now, as you know I was raised under Hasidism and to me relying on Rabbinic understanding isn't always the best strategy I don't mind using the Talmud or other Rabbinic works to prove certain points about prophercy but there understanding of certain words for me is a no go I was a prisoner to this once before I won't be again. "It is not Heaven" this was thwarted by the Rabbis to give them power in what we know today as Rabbinic Judaism.

• Matthew 5:17-19

"Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the prophets I am not come to destroy but to fulfil"
What did Jesus come to fulfil? According to Him He has come to fulfil the role of the Messiah foretold in both the Law and the Prophets...AND THE PROPHETS.

"For verily I say unto you, till Heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law till all be fulfilled"

Until Heaven and earth which according to Scripture is literally the created order will not pass away until when? "ALL be fulfilled" has Messiah Yeshua fulfilled all that is written in the Law and the Prophets? The fact He is going to make a second appearance proves He hasn't. When did the Messiah perform the final resurrection? When did the Messiah subdue the enemies of G-d? There is ALOT I could quote. Did you see how Heaven and earth passing away plus the completion of Torah and the Prophets is used as one in the same? There isn't a distinction these events will take place at the same time.

"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least Commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven"

If Jesus believed the Law of Torah is soon to pass away why is He acquainting it with the Kingdom of Heaven? Are Gentiles not part of the Kingdom of Heaven? Has the Davidic Kingdom been established on the earth? Yes BUT partiality this is something else the Messiah will do upon His second appearance.

• The Prophets

In Isaiah 65 the Prophet utilizes language he uses in chapter 11 if you read both of these chapters you will see how predators will lay with their prey in harmony and the lion will even eat straw I believe this is a

William Ross link

10/18/2020 02:02:27 pm

Paul speaks of a new creation, where the old has passed away and all things become new:

[2Co 5:16-17 YLT] (16) So that we henceforth have known no one according to the flesh, and even if we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him no more; (17) so that if any one [is] in Christ -- [he is] a new creature; the old things did pass away, lo, become new have the all things.

He seems to have this in mind:

[Isa 65:17-18 YLT] (17) For, lo, I am creating new heavens, and a new earth, And the former things are not remembered, Nor do they ascend on the heart. (18) But joy ye, and rejoice for ever, that I [am] Creator, For, lo, I am creating Jerusalem a rejoicing, And her people a joy.

It appears to me that he considers the new humanity, the new Jerusalem and the new heavens and the new earth to be metaphor, like being "born from above".

LEON SCHWARTZ

12/14/2020 07:31:50 am

Great Blog. Is your book finished? Also can you give a list of scriptures that only come from the bible describing the outer court as the sea. When teaching in church people get upset f you mention any sources outside the bible so I try to always make my case with bible scriptures only, haha. This blog gives new meaning to why there is no sea in the new heaven and earth.

Larry Puckett link

12/15/2020 05:55:27 am

This is how I understand for my studies.
What about the “Sea”?
And what about the sea? There was no more sea in the new heaven and new earth in Rev 21:1. “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.”
Now someone will say, “Of course there’s no more sea, because the old earth is no more.
If that’s true! So why did John need to add the statement, “and there was on more sea” when the earth included the seas.
This is a true statement if we have in mind the bible’s true meaning.
Look at what was constructed in the Jewish’s temple and the reason of it.
2Ch 4:2 And he made the molten sea of ten cubits from its brim to its brim…
3 And under it was the shape of oxen, under it and all around it for ten cubits, compassing the sea...
4 It stood on twelve oxen, three facing the north, and three facing the west, and three facing the south, and three facing the east; and the sea was upon them... (The twelve tribes on their land)
6 …and the sea was for the priests to wash in.
10 And he placed the sea on the right side eastward, across from the south.

Now we can say, “Of course there’s no more sea, the old heaven and earth (The temple/Covenant of Israel) was destroyed and is no more. There are no needs for the sea for the priests to wash in in the New heaven and earth.

Heaven = God's people whom He dwell with, and His people has the highest power on earth, i.e.over death. (Think about it)

Larry Puckett

William Ross link

12/21/2020 12:58:55 pm

I finally have found what I think is a clear source...

When Jacob dreamed about a "ladder" with angels ascending and descending" and realized it was going to be the spot for the temple, he "foresaw" the design of the temple (Solomon's) was going to be a stepped temple. In a stepped temple, "ladder" (a hapax logomania) is actually steps. You ascend up the steps to heaven to meet with the deity (who lives in the holiest and highest place).

So the holy place is the highest structure, ie: heaven, and the steps descend down to earth, the lower levels.

So the destruction of the temple was, in fact, the destruction of heaven and earth!

Paul Briggs

3/31/2021 10:17:59 am

I assert that the law always was by the spirit over the letter of the law, and examples were given of old testament heroes who were pleasing in God's sight for this. But regardless of what you may think of that, Paul says of the new covenant "He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." 2nd Corinthians 3:6. So he plainly states that not only is the new covenant plainly here already but that "WE" are already ministers of it to others. And was this written after the temple was destroyed? or before? It was decades before. Further, we are all aware of Jeremiah 31: 33's prophecy which says:
This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel
after that time,” declares the Lord.
“I will put my law in their minds
and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
Now was that covenant not in effect until after the temple was destroyed? But what does Paul say only 3 verses before 1st Corinthians 3:6? He says plainly:
"You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts." (2nd Corinthians 3:3) So this plainly shows the fulfillment of Jeremiah 31's prophecy and this also decades before 70 A.D. I could show many others but here is the kicker of them all- In Zechariah 11, there is a plain prophecy that the old covenant would be revoked. It says:
"Then I took my staff called Favor and broke it, revoking the covenant I had made with all the nations. It was revoked on that day, and so the oppressed of the flock who were watching me knew it was the word of the Lord."
Some would say that was some different covenant and that the old covenant was made with just Israel who are the Jews. this contradicts Romans 9's plain teaching and Exodus 12: 37-38 plainly states regarding those who fled from Egypt, called the Israelites:
"There were about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children. MANY OTHER PEOPLE went up with them."
So you see the covenant was made with WHOMEVER SHOWED UP who were henceforth referred to as "The Community of ISRAEL." A covenant made with ALL the nations. (why do think there were several famous Gentiles among Jesus ancestors?) So according to the very next verse in Zechariah 11, when was that covenant with all nations revoked? Here's what it says:
"I told them, “If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it.” So they paid me thirty pieces of silver.
And the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—the handsome price at which they valued me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter at the house of the Lord.'
My friends, you ALL know what event that was, don't you? In fact if the old covenant had NOT been revoked at that time, then there was something wrong with the blood of Jesus!

William Ross link

3/31/2021 12:01:10 pm

I think this is relevant:

[Hebrews 8:13 NASB20] (13) When He said, "A new [covenant,]" He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is about to disappear.

Paul (author)

3/31/2021 11:24:20 pm

Excellent observation from Hebrews. The tricky part of the transitional period from Jesus’ death until the Temple’s destruction is summed up in Hebrews 8:13. The Law and Temple and sacrifices and priests were obsolete but hadn’t disappeared yet.

William Ross link

4/1/2021 02:38:43 am

There was the fact that in Rome there were only two legal religions: The Roman Imperial cult and Judaism. Christianity, while it was part of Judaism, was under the legal protection of Judaism. Once they became Christianity, in Antioch, they were exposed to the danger of prosecution as practicing an illegal religion, which we punishable by death:

https://www.quora.com/How-did-Christianity-become-a-religion/answer/Bill-Ross-22

Edward Hara

4/1/2021 05:51:54 am

Paul - Your investigation and thinking is wonderful and spot on! May I have your permission to use in my upcoming book a couple of paragraphs you wrote? I need them to show the proper thinking about heaven and earth and to prove that the understanding of Matthew's Gospel has been terrible over the last several centuries.

I would deeply appreciate it and give you and your wonderful site full credit.

Edward Hara - Author

Edward Hara

4/1/2021 05:52:16 am

Paul Penley (author)

4/6/2021 10:46:37 pm

You have my permission to cite this webpage in your new book. I’m glad it helped you interpret Matthew in its original Jewish context.

Catherine Gavin

4/14/2021 10:35:35 pm

Thank you for this wonderful article. It is well written and very helpful for me as I study 1 Thessalonians 4&5 in preparation for my weekly Skype fellowship. I may use some of the historical information and scriptures you've presented when creating my own youtube video on the subject. Thank you again

Eric link

9/12/2021 11:31:15 pm

It seems the only logical conclusion that can be drawn is if "heaven and earth" is used literally, then Jews are still under the law of Moses (not gentiles, because they never were under it. ) and responsible for the over 600 laws referred to in the article. We hellenistic minded folk tend to forget the Bible was not written to us. It's for us...but not TO us. And the writers were mostly hebrews who wrote using hebraistic language and thought regarding vastly hebrew business. This article, to me, was an eye opener. I thank you.

When Heaven and Earth Passed Away: Everything Changed

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