The Newness of the New Earth

Randy Alcorn, in his book Heaven, comments on the “newness” of heaven:

When we open our eyes for the first time on the New Earth, will it be unfamiliar? Or will we recognize it as home? As human beings, we long for home, even as we step out to explore undiscovered new frontiers. We long for the familiarity of the old, even as we crave the innovation of the new. Think of all the things we love that are new: moving into a new house; the smell of a new car; the feel of a new book; a new movie; a new song; the pleasure of a new friend; the enjoyment of a new pet; new presents on Christmas; staying in a nice new hotel room; arriving at a new school or a new workplace; welcoming a new child or grandchild; eating new foods that suit our tastes. We love newness--yet in each case, what is new is attached to something familiar...So when we hear that in Heaven we will have new bodies and live on a New Earth, that’s how we should understand the word new--a restored and perfected version of our familiar bodies and our familiar Earth and our familiar relationships.

Upon reading texts like Romans 8:19–23; Acts 3:21; 2 Peter 3:6–10; and Revelation 21 and 22, I couldn't agree more with Alcorn's line of thinking. What a comfort! What a blessed hope! What endless joy!

"Behold, I am making all things new" (Rev 21:5)!

Relevance of Prophecy

Paul Benware, in Understanding End Times Prophecy, concludes his final chapter discussing the present significance of prophetic texts in Scripture. He comments,

"Knowledge of the future was designed to greatly influence the present. For example:

1. Prophecy reminds us that our God is sovereign over people, nations, and angelic beings;
2. Prophecy reinforces the truth that our God is good, having a glorious future in store for His children, because it gives us hope in a world characterized by hopelessness;
3. Prophecy motivates us to holy living;
4. Prophecy encourages us to establish goals and priorities that are in line with future realities.

It is God’s desire to change the way we see life by allowing us some glimpses of what lies ahead."

After studying and attempting to teach on eschatology throughout this summer, I couldn't agree more with Benware's conclusion. 

So don't shy away from the topic! Don't avoid prophetic books! Don't shut down when you come across futuristic passages! Don't ignore Israel just because the Church doesn't replace them! Don't question the relevance of prophecy! Don't treat eschatology as merely an academic discussion or intellectual debate! 

For, "Knowledge of the future was designed to greatly influence the present."

The Grace of Calvary in the Glory of the New Jerusalem

This weekend marks the final lesson(s) in our topical study of Eschatology (the theology of the end times). For the close of our time in the Scriptures it only fits that we would descent in faithful exposition of the final two chapters of God's written revelation to mankind (Revelation 21, 22).

The focus of the Eternal State (aka "the new heavens and the new earth" or "heaven" as we know it) is the New Jerusalem, which is the holy city and the capitol of the new heaven and earth. John has more than a vision or dream of heaven; he is literally, spiritually transported from the Island of Patmos where he was exiled by Roman authority to the holy city, Jerusalem (21:10).

The predominant characteristic of the celestial city, as described in detail and wonderment by John, is the glory of God. With the arrival of the New Jerusalem, and the dwelling place of God finally and fully being with man, the eternal glory of God fills the heaven and the earth.

The gates of New Jerusalem are large, single pearls. It makes one wonder why pearls are God's choice for the twelve gates fixed in the walls of His holy city. In John MacArthur’s commentary, John Phillips explains [of the nature of pearls and significance to why they are Jerusalem’s gates]:

How appropriate! All other precious gems are metals or stones, but a pearl is a gem formed within the oyster--the only one formed by living flesh. The humble oyster receives an irritation or a wound, and around the offending article that has penetrated and hurt it, the oyster builds a pearl. The pearl, we might say, is the answer of the oyster to that which injured it. The glory land is God’s answer, in Christ, to wicked men who crucified heaven’s beloved and put Him to open shame. How like God it is to make the gates of the new Jerusalem of pearl. The saints as they come and go will be forever reminded, as they pass the gates of glory, that access to God’s home is only because of Calvary. Think of the size of those gates! Think of the supernatural pearls from which they are made! What gigantic suffering is symbolized by those gates of pear! Throughout the endless ages we shall be reminded by those pearly gates of the immensity of the sufferings of Christ. Those pearls, hung eternally at the access routes to glory, will remind us forever of One who hung upon a tree and whose answer to those who injured Him was to invite them to share His home. (Exploring Revelation, rev. ed. [Chicago: Moody, 1987; reprint, Neptune, N.J.: Loizeaux, 1991], 254)

Love and Prayer

John Piper's book Desiring God is loaded with one-liners that leave the born again reader reeling back in wonderment of the potency and efficacy of the Scriptures. Piper is gifted with the ability to paint pictures of biblical truths with one and two sentence brush strokes that captivate and fascinate the mind.

In the chapter on Prayer, he stated something profoundly true along these lines (I was listening to it on audiobook): "When the pump of love has run dry, the pipe of prayer has not gone deep enough."

When I read across this section of the chapter about how prayer enables us to love one another, it stung my heart with immediate conviction. I had to pause my iPod, stop running alongside the street, and just contemplate its application to my life...as I huffed and puffed as a sweaty mess.

Questions swirled in my mind:

Who is difficult for me to love?
Where is the limit of my love exposed?
What is the love of Christ?
How do I pray for them?
How can I pray for them more?

The depth of Christ's prayer life was continually found in the depth of the Father's love. He withdrew into the hills for prayer with His Father, He cried over unrepentant Jerusalem, He sweat drops of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane before He endured the cross. What love. What prayer.

Hebrews 5:7 "In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence."

Sin According to the Apostle Paul

What do you think about when you have an unsaved neighbor who is one of the nicest people you ever met? Or when someone on your team, at your job, or in your class seems to do more "good" towards others than a number of "believers" you know? Are these unregenerate acquaintances really "totally depraved"? Are they indeed totally incapable of righteousness before God?

We must not get caught up when understanding one of the most essential components of the Gospel message, taught nearly on ever page of the Scriptures--the sinfulness of man.

To understand what sin really is we must understand sin first and foremost as withholding worship from the Worthy One. Even the most "moral" people in this world are NOT doing good unto the glory of God. Yes, relative good can be done by non-believers because of God's common grace (Matt 5:45), but NO ONE can do anything to receive a right standing before God.

I recently came across this pointed quote in Thomas Schreiner's New Testament Theology that summarized the Apostle Paul's definition of sin. I confess it caught me off guard, but upon second thought made more sense than ever.

The fundamental sin, according to Paul, is not the failure to keep God's law--as serious as such infractions are. The root sin is the failure to praise and worship and thank God, to glorify him as God (Rom 1:21)...Refusing to honor God as God and to give him glory, to worship and adore him, constitutes sin according to Paul. 

Preaching with Courage

"When faithfulness to God becomes the primary aim of our preaching (and the grace of his love our greatest security), we are freed from inordinate ("disproportionately large") concern about personal acceptance, reputation, and offense (Acts 4:29)." -Bryan Chapell, Christ-Centered Preaching, 343

As I have been preparing this week to preach Ephesians 1:7, 8 on the redemption of Christ, I was refreshed with this encouragement from one of my favorite preaching books. My prayer is to be faithful to God and to fear Him alone. If in my mind I begin to entertain thoughts characterized by the fear of man (see Prov 29:25), then all I will care about is personal acceptance, my reputation, and whom I might offend/displease.

Acts 4:29 says, "And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness...31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness."

Pray that we all have a deep conviction that when we say what the Bible says, we speak what God desires. So preach with courage for God.

An Overview of End Times

What has been your introduction to the "end times"? Who has taught you or told you about what is going to happen in the future? What have you read about eschatology (the study of future things)? What major passages in Scripture have set your understanding for the Second Coming of the Lord? What do you know about the great Day of the Lord's coming judgment, destruction, and restoration of all things?

I admit that these questions have haunted me all my life. I have largely avoided them, even in seminary to some degree. I attribute this to nothing other than my pride. I tend to warm up to that which I know best because I have more control and comfort there. On the other hand, I tend to keep at bay that which can expose my ignorance or make me feel insignificant. Sheer pride.

In God's abundant grace and great sovereignty, He has engaged me with the blessed truths of eschatology in the past two months of my life. I am currently enrolled in a Theology IV class at Master's Seminary this Spring dealing with eschatology. And the ROCK group has just come upon Mark 13, the Olivet Discourse (dealing with end times theology). Like a breached dam, God has penetrated my pride and has been pouring His Word into a place where water wants to go but has been held back for so long. And I invite the deluge. My soul has been shut off to so much of God's glorious truth about future things. 

Of course, when the topic of the end times arises for the first time in Christ's ministry, the disciples are driven with curiosity as to when these last days and future events will take place. They ask him, “Tell us, when will these things be” (Mk 13:4).

Below is a brief timeline of what I have come to believe the Bible represents as sound eschatology. The points and brief summaries are taken from chapter 11 of Paul A Benware's book Understanding End Times Prophecy:

1. The Rapture of the Church

The Lord will return from heaven and suddenly remove the church from the earth (1 Thess 4:13–18). He will meet believers in the air as we receive our glorified bodies.

Christians who have died before the Rapture and have been with Christ since, will also be involved, having their physical bodies raised from the dead (1 Cor 15:51–53).

All Christians who make up the church, the bride of Christ, will be with Him in heaven (John 14:1–3).

2. The Judgement Seat of Christ

All those who have been raptured will immediately be evaluated by the Lord concerning our works done in, through, by and for Him. This does not concern the salvation of the individual, since that has already been settled at the cross by the effective work of Christ.

If the works done in their life are good, then they will receive reward. If there are worthless deeds done by the believers then they will suffer loss for them (once again, not a loss of salvation).

3. The Seven-Year Tribulation ("70th Week" of Daniel)

After the church is removed from the earth, the world will experience unprecedented tribulation. According to Daniel 9:24–27, the tribulation begins when a man known as the Antichrist signs a treaty with the nation of Israel. At first, he seems to be Israel's protector, but he will turn out to be the great persecutor of Israel.

The first and great purpose of God in the tribulation is to save the nation of Israel (and many Gentiles too) and bring them under the new covenant of salvation. God will employ many miracles but He will also allow intense persecution on Israel. More will be saved in this seven year period than any other (Rev 7:9–17).

The second purpose of the tribulation is judgment on unrepentant sinful people. This will be an unprecedented time of trouble and judgment on the earth, as laid out in Revelation 6–18 and Matthew 24:4–28). Nearly 80% of the population of the earth will be destroyed in three series of different judgments.

Satan will be busy during the tribulation, attempting to destroy God's people with the Antichrist. Many will be deceived and follow him, but it will be to no avail because Jesus will return to take control of the planet for good.

4. The Second Coming of Christ to the Earth

Jesus will come in power and glory, ending the great tribulation and inaugurating the Millennial Kingdom. Many will rejoice upon His coming and many will be filled with great sorrow for their judgment is at hand.

Five important events occur at this time:
(1) The judgment of the living Gentiles (sheep and the goats judgment, Matt 25:31–46);
(2) The judgment of Israel (parable of ten virgins, Matt 25:1–11);
(3) The resurrection and rewarding of Old Testament saints who perished in the tribulation (Rev 6:9; 20:4–6; Dan 12:2);
(4) The binding of Satan (Rev 20:1–3); and
(5) The actual establishing of the messianic kingdom.

5. The Millennial Kingdom of Jesus Christ

The Millennial Kingdom is established once all the enemies of Christ are judged in the Second Coming. This is the time when all the unconditional covenants in the OT are fulfilled and accomplished allowing Israel and Gentiles to partake of the blessings of Christ's rule.

Because the curse for sin has been lifted, all people everywhere will worship Christ as Lord and Savior and all creation will bloom and become fertile. There will be prosperity and peace on the earth. There will be no disease and man will live very long in the Kingdom. The animal kingdom will be universally reset to where lions will not eat lambs and all animals will be vegetarians.

Although everyone in the Kingdom is a believer from the start worshiping Christ as King, there will be two different body types: mortal bodies (for those who believed and lived in the tribulation and were ushered straight into the Millennial Kingdom) and resurrected bodies (believers who died in church age, OT, and tribulation).

Those with mortal bodies who marry and have children in the Millennium may or may not have believing children (like in every age). Most will come to believe but some will not accept Christ as their King (Ps 2:9; Isa 11:4). When Satan is released one last time at the end of the 1,000 years, these unbelievers will rise in rebellion against the rule of Jesus as King (Rev 20:7–10).

6. The Judgments of the End Times

Three judgments will take place after the 1,000-year reign of Christ on the earth (Rev 20:7–15; 1 Cor 6:3):
(1) final judgment of Satan and the fallen angels to the lake of fire for eternity;
(2) all unbelievers from every age will be judged at the great white throne judgment and also throne into the lake of fire because of their sin and unbelief; and
(3) the heavens and the earth will be judged/renewed/purged of all sin, decay, curse, and corruption. The fire from 2 Peter 3:7–10 will cleanse the earth of all contamination of sin and wickedness and prepare the way for the new heavens and the new earth.

Also those who die in the Millennial Kingdom will be raised at this time to be judged in preparation for the eternal state.

7. The Eternal State

Benware concludes, "It was God's purpose from the very beginning to rule over and fellowship with people and with angels. His rulership was challenged, and His fellowship was marred by the entrance of sin and rebellion. But with the death of Jesus Christ on the cross to pay for sin and satisfy the wrath of God, fellowship was once again a reality. And with the defeat of the usurper Satan and the collapse of all the kingdoms of mankind, the Lord Jesus is King of Kings and the kingdom is now delivered over to the Father. In the eternal kingdom of God, there will be a fullness of joy, full and unhindered fellowship, and meaningful living on a new earth (Rev 21:1–22:5). This will forever be the experience of those who are the children of God."