Read Matthew 24:4-35

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” —Matthew 24:35

Jesus is only days away from being betrayed, put on trial, falsely accused and ultimately crucified. In many ways this sermon, known as The Olivet Discourse, is Christ’s final message to His disciples before things would change forever. Massive prophetic topics were declared, such as the coming Tribulation over the whole earth, the rise of false christs (specifically the Antichrist), and most notably, the Second Coming of Christ at the end of the age.

“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”
(Matthew 24:30)

Yet — even though it’s been prophetically promised that the future would bring alarming changes to the heavens and the earth — there is one thing Jesus wants His disciples to know that will never change: His Word. Not only would it never change; His Word would never pass away.

It’s humbling to think that everything we are currently experiencing in this life right now is breaking down. The law of entropy grips our lives like a vise takes hold of an object on a workbench. We’re fastened to time and we’re at its mercy, all the while time reminds us it not our friend.

“Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor.”
(Psalm 39:5)

But this is not our God and King, Jesus Christ!

“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. But You are the same, And Your years will have no end.”
(Psalm 102:25–27)

Christ could speak so boldly about the eternality of His words because He would overcome death itself! Not so subtly hiding behind this proclamation is the promise that Christ would by no means pass away, but He would overcome by His resurrection. Likewise, those who put their trust in His eternal words will live forever with Him and continue to hear His words long after the first heaven and the first earth pass away.

The thought of this brings new light to Colossians 3:16:

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…”
(Colossians 3:16)

Though your mortal body will pass away; your inner being can deposit Christ’s eternal words today and you can experience a taste of the riches you will be plunged into when you enter eternal glory.

Just as green blades of grass breakthrough the cracks in our side walks and remind us that there is life beneath the concrete, so do Christ’s words give us just a glimpse of eternal life that’s buried beneath our dying bodies.

So as you study Christ’s Words, don’t forget that you are studying eternal words which you will live in the joy of forever and ever.

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”” (Revelation 21:4)

… but [Christ’s] words will by no means pass away.” (Matthew 24:35)