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 sea. 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)
What will the realities of a new and eternal life be like? Let me clarify we won’t be lying about on clouds strumming harps. The emphasis on eternal life will be-life-not sterile boredom.
The two main questions I get asked are; “Will
we recognize each other in our new bodies?” and “Will there be animals in
heaven?” My response to the animals in heaven question is, “Yes, I believe as
much as God loves life, there will be masses of animals in heaven and on the
New Earth. I’m even expecting to see my beloved pets awaiting me when I arrive,
and maybe even some God will throw in for free!” I’ve always held a fondness
for elephants.
Anything you
can imagine heaven to be like, will be compared to a spark in a
hurricane to the powerful Consuming Fire with which God will work for us in future
eons. Who but God could have the best intentions in store for us, infinitely
greater than anything anyone could imagine? But as it is written, “What no eye
has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared
for those who love him” can ever be fully grasped or envisioned-1st
Corinthians 2:9 (ESV).
What can we
expect concerning our new bodies made to last for eternity? A glance at the
resurrected Jesus gives us the tinniest insights into what a glorified (immortal)
body can do. He was recognized (Matthew 28:9-10), He was not a spirit
but was in a solid physical body (Luke 24:39), He ate food (Lk
24:43), materialized and dematerialized at will (John 20:19, Lk
24:31), performed tasks (John 21:9-12) & flew (Acts1:9) and He
will do so again when He receives us in the air (1st Thessalonians
4:17).
These are
just a few of His glorified attributes we know of. As Scripture states that
with God nothing is impossible, with what I have shared, I see no reason why our
new bodies, made for eternity, will not share these same amazing attributes.
Anything you
can think of, He will do better. I’m expecting it will be no small feat for
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to spend individual one-to-one time with each of us
throughout eternity (Revelation 21:4). Wiping our tears away sounds pretty
personal in its description.
Eternity
with Father, Son and Holy Spirit will constantly amaze us as the ages roll. His
insights will continue to astound and delight us. If y’all want to spend
eternal ages sitting on a cloud, thumping a harp, have at it. I’ll be exploring
the universe! If you’re skeptical, tell me what your eye has seen or your ear
has heard differently. This New Year may be the one Saints throughout the
millennia have longed to see in the fulfillment of Christ’s final and Second
Advent.
Pray, work,
occupy until He comes. Then when we see and hear what He has prepared for us, we
will roar as a great multitude shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our
God!”
He who testifies to these things
says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come Lord Jesus. Revelation
22:20
Ken
