A view of the debris inside Notre-Dame de Paris in the aftermath of a fire that devastated the cathedral, during the visit of French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner (not pictured) in Paris, France, April 16, 2019. Christophe Petit Tesson/Pool via REUTERS
Possibly the fire this week in the Notre Dame cathedral shocked you like it did the rest of the world. Watching the burning inferno live on TV and internet brought the tragedy home for many people. The sorrow of the people of France became apparent as various reports began pouring out of Paris. The solidarity with the people of France from all over the world further elucidates the power of this structure to a city, a country, and the world. Of course in addition to all of this, it is the week before Easter.
Watching all of this and considering all the cathedral stands for as both a church and a major tourist attraction, I couldn’t help but think of a few key verses in response.
Heaven and Earth Shall Pass Away
Jesus made the following statement as He considered the end of the world.
35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. (Matthew 24:35)
As I watched the cathedral burn, it reminded me of how everything on earth is temporary. Although this grand structure dates back over 800 years, it too is liable for destruction. At this point very early in the investigation, the Paris police believe that this was a construction accident. Regardless of how it started, at the end of the day, the building of a million photos still burned. It is subject to decay. The elements of fire and heat so quickly engulfed it.
Jesus makes the same claim about the whole world. In the future, at a time only God knows, all heaven and earth will pass away. In Revelation, the Apostle John wrote:
1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 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 21:1-4)
The Bible teaches that all the heavens and earth will some day be subject to a similar fate. We are to be prepared for this day through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. You can read more about those preparations here.
The Pain, Passion, and Desire to Rebuild
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11)
