You’ve probably heard it said multiple times that sin has broken down this world to a twisted form of the perfection in which God originally created it. At first, the world was a paradise, free from evil, dysfunction, and every manner of suffering. Then, sin entered the equation, and the rest, as they say, is history.
However, there are almost certainly aspects of this earth that you enjoy—that you find beautiful or worthwhile or enjoyable. Maybe you love taking early morning walks and savoring the crisp, fresh air. Maybe sitting out at a quiet dock and fishing is more your speed. Maybe you dearly treasure your relationships with friends and family.
Even as I write this, I think about the simple pleasure of running my hands through my dog’s fur as she barks at me to play fetch. The point is, there are many things about this earth that are still inherently good and lovely, despite it being warped by the curse of sin. God has richly blessed us with fulfilling, enjoyable lives.
Because of this, many of us are skeptical of the idea of a new heaven and new earth, which scripture tells us we will live in when God comes to dwell with his children forever. We might find ourselves thinking “hey, I know this world has some problems, but do we really have to get rid of it completely? I kind of like it here.”
It’s a compelling question: what can we expect from the new heaven and new earth? Will it do away with everything we loved about our lives here in place of an eternity spent sitting on a cloud, strumming a harp? The answer is a resounding no.
What Will It Be Like?
Renewed World
The setting in which it takes place…that will be something special. The new heaven and new earth will be everything we loved about our life here, but better. Like an earth 2.0! The pleasures and joys of your life here on earth won’t simply dissipate into nothing. I quoted Anthony in my prior article, and I will do it again here: “[In the new heaven and new earth] creation’s beauties will be heightened, its pleasures strengthened, our limitations lifted.”
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
Revelation 21:1-2
Consider its very name—new heaven and new earth. You will notice it is not called the different heaven and the different earth. John explicitly describes a new heaven and earth. There are two words for “new” in Greek. Neos means “brand new” and kainos means “remade.” Kainos is the word John used in this instance.
Think of it this way. Let’s say a mechanic told you he picked up an old Corvette from a junkyard and remade it. When he shows off his handiwork, you are not expecting to see a completely different object. Instead, you expect to see a new, souped-up version of the Corvette. That’s a similar situation to what happens with this earth and the new earth.
It will not be this floating, misty, colorless, ethereal realm. It will come down to earth where we are as a complete renovation of the current order. We will tend abundant gardens without overgrowths of thorns. We will hike through lush, sprawling forests without encountering dead wildlife. We will ascend mountains without worry of falling to our death.
Renewed Bodies
Also of note are the vessels in which we experience all of this, namely our new and glorious bodies. These may sound familiar to you, as we have talked about them at length numerous times on this blog.
Study this passage from Paul and see how Jesus’ resurrected body is a harbinger of the joy that is to come for us.
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
1 Corinthians 15:20
What does it mean that Christ is the “firstfruit?” Consider this! He was the first of the resurrection harvest, the first in a long line of believers who would be resurrected into a heavenly body. When he rose from the dead into a new and glorious form, that was a glimpse into our future and the world’s future.
He still had a physical body, people could recognize his features, and he was able to eat food. However, his body was also renewed. It was the same…but better. It transcended death. He was able to walk through walls. At one point, he even teleported into a room. This is a sampling of the renewed body we will one day enjoy in the new heaven and new earth.
Reunion
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
Revelation 21:3
Heaven’s greatest joy is reunion. We will be reunited with all our loved ones who died in Christ. One of God’s purposes in salvation was to create an eternal family united by a love that never fades, and we will one day see this come to fruition.
The greatest reunion, though, is with God himself. We will enjoy his loving and powerful companionship for all eternity, and our hearts will be filled with so much delight and love for him that we will not know how to contain it. It will be our honor to enjoy and glorify him forever.
Release
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Revelation 21:4
This is a huge thing separating the new heaven and earth from the here and now. There will be no more pain, suffering, death, decay, and dysfunction. “No pain” means no more chronic illness. No more aching joints. No more emergency rooms, or children’s hospitals, or cancer centers, or pharmacies. All of that will have passed away with the rest of the horrors from this world.
“No tears” means no more depression. No more fear, misunderstanding, grief counselors, therapy appointments, psychological torture and existential dread. Can you even imagine a world without all of this? Probably not. It will be indescribably good. Better than we could ever dream of or hope for.
This suffering-free world is made possible through the cross of Christ, which saved us from the penalty of sin—the suffocating hold sin had on our lives and the eternity of anguish it was ultimately leading us to.
Reassignment
Think we’re just going to be sitting around on a comfy bed all day in heaven? Think again.
No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.
Revelation 22:3
Who do you think those “servants” will be? If you guessed “us,” then you are right. And what do servants do? They serve! They aren’t bored; they are busy. Work was part of God’s original creation. It was not added because of the curse that came with Original Sin. We worked while in paradise. This means, when God restores the earth, work will be part of the new creation, too.
With that said, it will not be how it is here, filled with anxiety and struggle and miserable toil. God knows how he created you—how he uniquely wired you, so he knows what you love to do. We don’t know what we will be doing for certain, but we do know it will be fulfilling.
The only jobs we know won’t be there are doctors (because no one is sick) and preachers/evangelists (because everyone is saved already).
Reign
There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
Revelation 22:5
There have been some questions over what exactly we will be reigning over. Some thinks this means we will reign with God over the angels. Some say it will be over all of creation. Others, such as C.S. Lewis, have proposed we will reign over other planets and galaxies.
I do not claim to know precisely what this passage is talking about, but I do know it means we will be reigning with God for eternity, so we can be rest assured it will be wonderful beyond belief.
You see, Revelation does not end with an ending. It ends with a beginning. The new heaven and new earth is a fresh and never-ending adventure. Even after the first, say, one million years, you will never get to the point of saying “gee, I’m bored.” Instead, you will be saying “this is amazing, what’s next?”
What Now?
Look to What Is Better
No matter what manner of evil, suffering, and contempt this life throws at us, we can always take joy in our knowledge of what is to come. Let this sustain you in times of hardship. Things might be bad right now, but they are going to get better. Immeasurably better.
Furthermore, whenever you find yourself feeling empty and purposeless, just cling to what scripture says. There is a reason you have that gaping desire for purpose. We do not have a need unless there is something to fill that need. If we feel hungry, we know there is food to satisfy us. If we have sexual desire, we know sex can satisfy us. If we desire for something larger than us, something more than this life has to offer, we know that one day this need will be met in the new heaven and new earth.
Look to Build a Bridge
Thoroughly consider this question: what is something good we can do here that we will not be able to do in the next life? The answer is we can only make disciples of Jesus Christ while we are here.
Instead of following a bucket list of fifty crazy things you want to do before you die and dedicating your life towards crossing them off, why don’t you cross out everything on that list and replace them with “winning hearts for Jesus” written in big, bold letters? This is our mission here on earth. If we feel empty and purposelessness right now, it is likely because we are not utilizing the unique gifting with which God has equipped us to win hearts for the Kingdom.
So consider what it is you are skilled at. How can you use those talents to serve God and make disciples? Ponder over the relationships God has placed in your life. Which of them have spiritual potential? Be in prayer over what you can do to live for God, and watch your life become transformed as God transforms others through you.
Do not despair. One day you will stand in the presence of God, free from the burden of death and disease with an eternity of memories to make with Jesus and other believers. That will be reality one day.
In the meantime, do not keep from praying and working for the saving of souls.
Story of Grace 