A vast gap exists between the eternal nature of God and the temporary reality of the physical universe. While the material world is subject to wear, change, and eventual decay, God's existence is absolute, constant, and entirely independent. Even if the entire universe were to be completely corrupted and destroyed, God would remain exactly as He is, His existence completely unaffected by the presence or absence of the physical world [מאירי].
The ultimate fate of the universe is a subject of broad conceptual debate. Some perspectives suggest that the physical universe will eventually revert to a state of absolute chaos, while others maintain that the world is destined to exist forever [רד״ק]. Those who believe that the current laws of nature will eventually be canceled so that God can create a new heaven and earth [אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד] face the challenge of reconciling this with other biblical traditions that describe the world as eternal. One way to resolve this is by distinguishing between the general rules of nature and the specific details of the world. In this view, the foundational laws of the universe will remain forever, but the individual components and creations within it will eventually perish [אבן עזרא בשם ר' יהודה בן דוד]. Another approach views the universe's transformation in distinct historical stages. The current world will continue to exist through the Messianic era, but following the resurrection of the dead, the physical world will fade away, replaced by an immense, purely spiritual reality [אלשיך]. Conversely, a more limited view suggests that the destruction will not encompass the entire universe at all, but will only affect the dry land [אבן עזרא].
Regardless of the exact scope of its end, all physical creations are inherently temporary and destined to wither and decay [ביאור שטיינזלץ, מצודת ציון]. The fading of the physical world operates much like the changing of clothes. Just as a person removes an old, worn-out garment and replaces it with a new one, God will eventually remove the current creations and replace them with new ones, an absolute shift that no one can prevent or defy [רש״י, רד״ק, מאירי, מצודת דוד]. There is a subtle distinction in the nature of this change. While some wear is general, like everyday clothing slowly deteriorating over time, the world is also compared to a specific-purpose outfit—one that a person naturally takes off and replaces the moment its designated task is complete [מלבי״ם].
When God ultimately decides to bring about this monumental change, the transition will happen instantly [מצודת דוד]. The reality that replaces the old world will not be made of physical matter. Instead, the new heavens will be entirely pure and spiritual, echoing the majestic, spiritual splendor that God Himself wore during the original creation. In this new existence, the creations will continue to grow purer and more refined with each passing day [אלשיך].