In other words if the universe that we observe is indeed expanding at the rate we observe then it will continue to do so forever. But this violates e=mc^2, because what pushed everything "outward" to begin with if we can't find it?

I agree there's a big hole (LOL, pun intentional) in physics. But there always seems to be a hole in physics. Maybe the mistake has been thinking "once we figure this one out, it'll all make sense."

It never works that way does it?

BUD