...from Pastor Ed  ...February 23, 2010

A New Heavens and a New Earth

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body..  Romans 8:18-23

...knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 2 Peter 3:3:7

Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 3:13

…having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.... Eph 1:9-10

I think it unfortunate that some seem to think of Heaven only in materialistic terms; it is the place of rubies, diamonds, streets of gold, and huge mansions with tables of unending food. The spiritual realities of Immanuel’s Land do not seem to be in the forefront of their desire for Heaven. To be forever unburdened by sin’s presence, to behold the glory of the Lord, to bask in His presence and to bring Him glory forever do not seem to allure them above all else.

That being said, let us not lose sight of the ‘physical’ realities of our glorious future. Our bodies shall be raised to dwell in a literal universe. The creation itself, which now groans and labors with birth pangs, shall be released from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the sons of God! Jesus came to bring not only a ‘spiritual’ salvation, but to absolutely reclaim forever all things that God pronounced ‘good’ at the beginning, and to utterly undue the works of the devil. Satan shall not retain one atom of God’s handiwork, nor shall it remain defiled.  He will not be allowed to ‘force’ God to un-create that which He purposed for His own glory. Christ shall reconcile all things to Himself unto the eternal glory of the Father.  

As we look at 2 Peter 3:5-13, we must not miss the sequence Peter uses regarding the heavens and the earth. He calls the antediluvian (before the flood) heavens and earth, the old world ‘that perished.’ That age came to an end in judgment.  He calls the present age ‘the heavens and earth which are now’ and which are reserved unto fiery judgment. So this present age shall also come to an end. But we now look for a new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness. This is the age Paul speaks of in Romans 8:19-23 and Ephesians 1:10, when the curse of sin, and all things that defile or are defiled, shall be taken away forever; when in Christ, shall be gathered in one all things which are in heaven and which are in earth.  Therefore, we are to look forward to and race toward the coming day of God.*  

Friends, what a glorious future awaits us in Christ! The seemingly endless reaches of God’s creation, perfectly reconciled and ‘in sync’ with the Creator, shall be our home. The current boundaries between Heaven and the rest of creation will be forever eradicated.  With joyful wisdom and creativity, unfettered by sin and with love unbounded, we shall bear His image and glorify Him in all our works and activities forever! 

Oh what glory awaits me in heaven's bright city;

When I get there such sights I'll behold.

A million scenes of rare beauty will demand that I view them,

But Jesus will outshine them all!

Mansions will glisten on the hills of Glory,

Happy reunions on streets of pure gold;

Angel choirs singing God's praises forever,

But Jesus will outshine them all!

Distant realms unimagined appear to our viewing,

Creation pristine and redeemed from the fall;

Through angelic galaxies glory unfolding,

But Jesus will outshine them all!.

      Davis,

      Except third verse, ejr3

Creator, Redeemer, Savior and Friend,

All things were made by you and for you, and for your pleasure they exist. Hasten the day you reclaim all that’s yours!

Amen

Tuesday's Touch  #57

*So Calvin, et al.

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© 2010  E.J.Ross III,  Springwood Publications.