New Heavens and New Earth

Throughout Jewish and Christian history, people looked forward to paradise regained. Many biblical passages speak of a time when sin and suffering will be no more. Justice will be done and the wicked will be sent out of God's benevolent presence.

Our Lord promised a repentant thief on the cross next to his that he'd be with him there. Luke 22:43 (BBE) reads, "And he said to him, 'Truly I say to you, Today you will be with me in Paradise.'"

We need new heavens and a new earth because the universe we have now is cursed by the fall. After Peter wrote of the destruction of the old creation, he explained in 2 Peter 3:13 (BBE), "But having faith in his word, we are looking for a new heaven and a new earth, which will be the resting-place of righteousness."

What a joy it will be when we will be free from sin and temptation. As Isaiah 66:22 (BBE) predicts, "For as the new heaven and the new earth which I will make will be for ever before me, says the Lord, so will your seed and your name be for ever."

How wonderful too that the nasty things of this world won't even be remembered in the one to come. Isaiah 65:17 (BBE) tells us, "For see, I am making a new heaven and a new earth: and the past things will be gone completely out of mind."

Better still, we'll have new bodies which won't grow old and die. As the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:53 and 54 (BBE), "For this body which comes to destruction will be made free from the power of death, and the man who is under the power of death will put on eternal life. But when this has taken place, then that which was said in the Writings will come true, 'Death is overcome by life.'"

Best of all, God will be with us forever. Never will sin be a barrier between him and us. Revelation 21:3 and 4 (BBE) assures us, "And there came to my ears a great voice out of the high seat, saying, 'See, the Tent of God is with men, and he will make his living-place with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them, and be their God. And he will put an end to all their weeping; and there will be no more death, or sorrow, or crying, or pain; for the first things have come to an end.'" Amen!

If Christ doesn't return by Thursday, I hope to post about Who's responsible for COVID-19.

Saturday Song: Eric Burdon & The Animals, "Sky Pilot"

I remember feeling offended by this song when I heard it in the spring of 1968. To me, Eric Burdon was saying that God was inept and that prayers were futile in the face of monstrous carnage. Because we, through Adam and Eve, chose to do things our way, God let us suffer the consequences.

Hear Eric Burdon and the Animals' "Sky Pilot" here.

I now understand what Eric was getting at. He was examining the matter of how God could let horrors like war happen. But not being instructed by the Holy Spirit, he couldn't comprehend the vast plan God has for each human life.

How wonderful it is that we aren't stuck with this damaged world forever. Isaiah 65:17 (KJV) promises, "For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind."

And as the Lord says in Isaiah 66:22 (KJV), "For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain."

Here's another assurance of the good eternal life to come for believers. The Bible says in 2 Peter 3:13(KJV) that, "Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."

So, what memories come to you when you hear Eric's song? And what do you think of what I wrote? Please leave me a comment in the box below. Or if you don't wish to do that, have a wonderful weekend anyway.