While studying the Gospel of Luke, our 12 year old son discovered a puzzling verse.
The RSV-CE states: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Luke 21:33, Matt 24:35 & Mark 13:31)
What is the meaning of the words “Heaven … will pass away”? How is this to be interpreted?
The phrases sometimes need to be understood in the idiom which was common at the time of the writing. If you consider St. Paul’s writing, it is clear that “heaven” was used to mean more than one thing. Here are the lines from St. Paul, where he refers to the “third heaven” to specify where God can be seen:
If I must glory (it is not expedient indeed): but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ above fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not, or out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught
up to the third heaven. And I know such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not: God knoweth): That he was caught up into paradise, and heard secret words, which it is not granted to man to utter. For such an one I will glory; but for myself I will glory nothing, but in my infirmities. 2 Corinthians 12:1-5 (Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition.)
Here is a bit of commentary that discusses the need to specify “third heaven” in the literature of the time:
Ver. 4. Caught up into paradise. St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas are of opinion that this third heaven and paradise are the same place, and designate the abode of the blessed. In order to understand the language of the apostle, we must observe that the Hebrews distinguished three different heavens. The first comprised the air, the clouds, &c. as far as the fixed stars. The second included all the fixed stars; and the third was the abode of Angels, in which God himself discovered his infinite glory, &c. The first is called in Scripture simply the heavens, the second the firmament, and the third heaven the heaven of heavens. (Calmet) Haydock’s Catholic Bible Commentary, 1859 edition.
I hope this helps you and your son.
Spiritus Sapientiae vobiscum.
John Hiner
