Faithful on Fridays Blog

Newness of Life

I find it exhilarating to read about heaven from the perspective of the new heaven and new earth. Now honestly, no one really knows what it’s going to look like but there are some things we do know from scripture. The word ‘new’ used in Rev. 21:1 describing heaven and earth means to be renewed or converted from the old. It’s the same word used of believers who are reborn in the Spirit; we became ‘new’ creatures in Christ Jesus (Eph. 4:24). We retain our bodies but we are recreated on the inside; we are like Christ, pure and holy. Likewise, the heavens and the earth will retain their external appearance but will be renewed in some amazing way. The apostle Peter tells us that God will set the heavens on fire to burn away the impurities of our planet (2 Peter 3:12-13).

We can look forward to the fresh and pure qualities of Earth as it was portrayed in the beginning (Genesis 1-2); this is the place from where we will rule and reign. What does it look like? We don’t really know but we can anticipate having positions of authority as seen in the world today (check out the parable from Luke 19:11-27). When Christ returns and the devil is thrown into his final destiny, the lake of fire, we know that life will go on but it will be a renewed life of righteousness and justice. Jesus Christ will eternally reside on His throne and undoubtedly give out assignments and missions to His people. There will be maintenance of the new creation just as there was in the beginning and there will be relationships and access to God; just as in the beginning.

When God says there will be a new heaven, a new earth, a new Jerusalem, new bodies, new names, and new songs for believers it should stir up anticipation and hope that our final destiny will be more than we could ever think or imagine. There will be no sorrow, no sin, no grief, no hatred, children won’t be hurt, men and women will live alongside each other with no control or competition with each other; all things will be new.

I don’t know about you but these are very good reasons to eagerly desire Jesus to come back and rescue us. These are promises from His Word that should stir up anticipation and excitement. So if things in your life are not now what you had hoped for, be encouraged, it’s not over. If you’re here when He shows up in the heavens in brilliant light, riding a white horse, you can be assured: He’s coming for you.

Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready. Revelation 19:7 NASB