Is the idea that seasons won't be recognizable in the end times biblical?

Quick answer

The Bible teaches that seasons will continue as long as the earth remains. While seasons may change in the new heaven and earth, God's design for order and beauty will persist, symbolizing growth, rest, and thanksgiving.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible teaches that as long as the earth remains, seasons will continue, as stated in Genesis 8:22. God's covenant with the day and night, including seasons, is unbreakable. Jesus also used the changing seasons to illustrate discernment of His return in Matthew 24:32–33. While seasons may change in the new heaven and earth (Revelation 21–22), God's perfect design for order and beauty will persist. Ultimately, the seasons reflect God's faithfulness, providing a rhythm for growth, rest, and thanksgiving.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

Genesis 8:22 teaches, "While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease." In contrast with the flood during Noah's time, God promised never to send such a flood again, instead telling Noah that seasons would continue as normal as long as the earth continues.

The Lord told Jeremiah, "If you can break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night, so that day and night will not come at their appointed time, then also my covenant with David my servant may be broken" (Jeremiah 33:20–21). These words were used to stress the strength of God's covenant as being as strong as the expected coming of night and day. God's covenant is unbreakable. In verse 25 it says, "Thus says the LORD: If I have not established my covenant with day and night and the fixed order of heaven and earth." Here, we see that God also includes the idea of seasons or patterns of the planet.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

Jesus also spoke about discerning the change of seasons, saying, "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates" (Matthew 24:32–33). The change of the trees indicates the change of seasons. This is an illustration of something God has created (the seasons) that will endure until the end of the earth.

When God creates a new heaven and new earth at the end of time, seasons may be very different (Revelation 21–22). Second Peter 3:10 specifically notes that at the end of the earth as we know it, "The heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed."

Revelation 22:2 teaches that in the new earth, "The tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month." While seasons might be different in heaven, fruit will still grow seasonally.

In the new heaven and new earth, there will be no sun, since God will serve as the light of His people: "They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever" (Revelation 22:5).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

God created seasons for us as part of His design to bring order and rhythm to the world. Seasons allow for growth, harvest, rest, and reflection, providing a natural cycle that mirrors spiritual truths. Genesis 8:22 assures us that as long as the earth remains, seasons will continue, demonstrating God's faithfulness in sustaining creation. Through the seasons, we see God's provision, as each one brings its own purpose: summer for growth, winter for rest, and harvest for thanksgiving. While the seasons may change in the new heaven and earth, God's design for order and beauty remains, showing that He has a perfect plan for every time and season in our lives.

UNDERSTAND

Seasons will continue as long as the earth remains, per God's covenant.

Jesus used seasons to illustrate the discernment of His return.

Seasons may change in the new heaven and earth, but God's design for order and beauty will persist.

REFLECT

How do the seasons in nature reflect God's faithfulness and order in your own life?

What does it mean to you personally that God’s covenant with the day and night is unbreakable?

How can you embrace the rhythms of life (growth, rest, harvest) as a reflection of spiritual truths?

ENGAGE

How can we help others discern God's timing in their lives, much like we discern seasons changing?

How does God’s design for the seasons help us understand His purpose for each phase of life?

How do you think the changing nature of seasons in the new heaven and earth highlights the eternal beauty and order of God’s creation?