The End of the Universe: Perspectives and Perceptions

I have attended a few funerals in my life, and each time, the universe continues its existence. These experiences, combined with the fact that billions have passed before us, suggest that the universe goes on, not ceasing at the moment of death.

Perception and Existence

The assertion that the universe ends with death is based on a narrow view of existence. If the universe must be perceived to exist, and only our brains have the capacity for perception, then it logically follows that when each of us dies, our perceived universe ceases. However, this view is limited. The universe continues to exist beyond our personal perceptions.

The Universal Experience

The perception of the universe is not dependent on individual consciousness. When a person dies, their personal perception of the universe ends, but the universe itself does not. It is a shared experience; your universe and mine are one and the same. When my perception ends, so does yours, at least from my perspective. This construct can be visualized as a room with lights on; when the lights go out for me, they go out for you as well.

The End of Satan's World

From a theological perspective, the end of the universe as we know it is not a foregone conclusion. According to certain scriptures, the world as we know it (Satan's world) will indeed end. The new earth under Christ's kingdom will bring about a restoration of paradise. Revelation Revelation 21:1 describes the new Jerusalem: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.”

Continuity and Continuation

From my perspective, my personal existence would indeed end. However, the universe continues to exist. No human has returned from the dead to confirm what happens after death, but we can observe the continuity of the universe. The end of the known universe does not necessarily mean the end of everything; it paves the way for a new beginning as described in Isaiah 55:11: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

The Future Beyond

From a cosmic perspective, the universe will continue to exist, albeit in a form we cannot yet comprehend. The end of the universe as we know it today will not be the end of everything. It marks the transition to a new state, much like the end of night signals the beginning of a new day. The universe has a cyclical nature, and the new earth under Christ's kingdom represents a new phase of existence.

So, the question of the universe ceasing to exist is not a straightforward answer. Depending on one's perspective, the universe will either go on to infinity or end in a new phase of existence. The perceived end of the universe is but a moment in the grand tapestry of cosmic history, marking the continuation of life in some form.