The last two chapters of
Revelation give us a close look at the New Jerusalem that
comes down out of
Heaven from God to rest on the new earth. Some think that maybe it rests above
the new earth. I don’t. I think it will rest upon the earth, maybe a much
larger earth, but that’s my opinion.
I’ve been thinking about our
life with Jesus in the New Jerusalem and on the new earth as of late. There
isn’t really much I can add that others haven’t already said, but allow me to
make a few observations.
The biggest thing that hits
me square between the eyes is the fact that there will be no sin. There will be
no sinful action, or even so much as a thought that is sinful. When looking at
the world today and also inwardly at our own heart, we find that to be
impossible, but,
“Jesus looked at them and
said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
(Matthew 19:26)
If you’ve never read the
Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) please do so. The scribes and Pharisees were
boasting with pride in their supposed ability to keep the Law. (Read Luke 10:27
and you’ll immediately be convinced they actually failed miserably.) Jesus
gives a much higher Law.
Murder:
Those of us who have never
murdered anyone, may pride ourselves in that fact, but the higher Law says that
if we are angry with our brother without a cause we are in danger of judgment.
Adultery:
We proudly say we have never
committed adultery, but the higher Law says that if we look at a woman with
lust in our heart we are guilty of adultery.
I guess that upset a lot of
apple carts! Read all three chapters. There is no way we can live up to what
Jesus proclaimed. However, when we finally get to our new home, we will live up
to every word Jesus spoke, not because we are so great, but because He will
remove all sin and sweep it into hell where it belongs.
You’re walking down the
streets of Heaven and here comes someone you weren’t that friendly with on the
old earth. Guess what? Total love and joy as you stop and talk with them. All
that negative stuff is gone.
Uh oh, here comes that
Christian employee you had to fire. Not a problem. Hugs, love and joy rule the
day. We have become like our Master.
You go out for a stroll in
the woods late in the day to feel the cool breeze on your face and don’t even
have to worry about a thief, rapist or murderer attacking you. The thought
never crosses your mind. Jesus has provided perfect peace.
Now I have no idea how Jesus
will provide personal one-on-one time with each of us, but somehow he does. He
is God, so I know it won’t be a problem. It’s just my puny mind that can’t
understand that. Anyway, can you even come close to imagining sitting down with
Jesus, one-on-one, and talking? I know you’re thinking what I’m thinking, and
that is I can’t wait to see His face and bow in worship to Him. It’s difficult
for us in this earthly body to comprehend the love God has for us. How can the
creator of … EVERYTHING … love me? Don’t know, but I am so thankful that He
does.
Have you ever thought about
the little things like; no garbage, no smut on the street corners, no
profanity, and no jealousy, no offensiveness of any kind?
I’ve actually witnessed a
husband jealous of his wife’s success or a wife jealous of her husband being
successful. That’s pitiful. It won’t exist in Heaven though. We’ll all be happy
for each other.
Think about this. The Bible
tells us that there will be rewards. (1 Corinthians 3:12-15) Some will receive
greater rewards than others. That’s a fact, and that is why we should all
strive to attain rewards from Christ. There is nothing wrong with that.
Thankfully, because there will be no sin, none of us will be jealous of others
who receive greater rewards.
Life in our new home will be
so much different than what we know now; it almost seems like a fairy tale.
Thankfully, it is not a fairy tale, but more real than anything we know on this
old earth. I guess you could say, we are currently living in a dream, a bad
dream at that, but in Heaven we will wake up and enjoy what is real.
Something else I think about
concerning our new home is what will we do? We will be busy. We will work. How
and at what, I don’t know. I do know that God detests laziness. Some of us, in
our fallen nature, think “work” is a bad word, but it isn’t. Work is a delight,
especially when you’re doing what you were created to do. We each have
abilities and talents. I think God will assign us things to do for Him that
will delight us.
Have you ever wondered about
the angels? I really look forward to talking to them also. Can you imagine what
they could tell us!? They’ve been around a lot longer than we have. We might
hang around on this old earth for a hundred years, but they have been witnessing
everything for perhaps millions or billions of years, if not longer.
Some don’t think we’ll be
able to travel to other galaxies. All I can do is offer an opinion since none
of us really know at this point. I think we will be able to travel to other
galaxies. Perhaps the Lord will send us to other areas of the universe with an
assignment. I don’t know. I can’t see God creating trillions of galaxies though
to just sit there and never be seen up close by anyone.
Of course we all think of our
friends and loved ones who have gone on before us, and that is something I also
really look forward to. The only thing better is seeing God Himself, and
finally then, we will be able to look upon God’s face. I’m sure our first
reaction will be to fall on our face before Him as did the Apostle John.
To be with God, our friends
and our loved ones, and then live forever in a perfect environment will be
Heaven.
Grant Phillips
Email: grantphillips@windstream.net
Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
Rapture Ready: http://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html
