Permanence of God's word

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by-no-means pass away. Matthew 24:35 (Disciples Literal New Testament translation)

Matthew 21 begins the story of Jesus’ last days. He rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, cleanses the temple, and intensely instructs, warns and teaches the Pharisees, Sadducees and disciples about God’s will for everyone. In chapter 24, Jesus is talking specifically with his disciples about the end times.

One apparent difference between modern translations, such as the NIV, and the Disciples Literal New Testament (DLNT), is that wording more fully reflects the ancient Greek language writing style. The ancient Greek language seems to have an emphasis on verbs and adverbs, or the action of the thought. The verse quoted above is in the future tense, and the emphatic, “by-no-means” is a reminder of the time surpassing permanence of God and His word.

Jesus spoke the truth, and although Jesus himself never wrote in ink on papyrus, His words have not passed away, no matter how hard the world has been trying to alter them or destroy them. Jesus’ words—God’s word—has permanence, not only in writing of the apostles and other early believers, but in the hearts of all believers. By no means can God’s word be erased from our hearts if we allow Him to write there.