3.2 The Future of the Universe (OB11)

Evolution: Evolution sees no temporal end to the universe. An astrophysicist like R. Breuer writes for example [B8, p. 49]: “Gravity is the driving force that keeps even an eternally expanding universe in motion against a purely thermic heat death.” Breuer even lists some speculations about future events. After 10²⁰ years, the classical evolution of the cosmos will end; it will be followed by a quantum mechanical era and all protons will undergo gravitational collapse after 10⁴⁵ years. “After 10¹⁵⁰⁰ years there will be spheres of pure iron in utter darkness at exceedingly low temperatures” (p. 55). But even this is not seen as the end. Freeman Dyson, a physicist of Princeton, extrapolates across all temporal boundaries: As far into the future as we can imagine, there will always be objects. In an open cosmos, history has no end.

Scientific Objections: We do not know whether we live in an open universe or a closed one; furthermore, the geometrical/astronomical structure of the universe is totally unknown. The only honest answer about the future of the universe is that no scientifically based projections can be made.

The Bible: If there is somebody who created the world, only He can tell us what really will happen. The Word of God does not describe this world as being in a state of continual development (evolving toward point omega according to Teilhard de Chardin), but as being subjected to decay since man’s fall into sin (Rom. 8:20–21). The Lord Jesus exclaims in Matthew 24:35: “Heaven and earth will pass away.” This temporal end of the universe is also described in other passages of the Bible:

Psalm 102:25–26: “In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain.”

Isaiah 34:4: “All the stars of the heavens will be dissolved and the sky rolled up like a scroll.”

Isaiah 51:6: “. . . the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment.”

2 Peter 3:10–13: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. . . . But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth.”

Revelation 6:14: “The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up.”