Citizens of the Kingdom (Part 6): New Heavens and New Earth

The importance of land begins early in the biblical narrative in Eden. This is where heaven and earth overlap. Where God dwells and walks with his priests in the garden which is sacred space. Sacred space is the place were God and humanity dwell together.

With Israel the promise land, the land of Israel, was sacred space. God’s temple was there, and he dwelt with his people. The temple was the new place where heaven and earth overlapped. Israel was exiled for polluting the land with their false worship and God’s presence left.

In Jewish thought the land is essential to their eschatology and their theology. It would be crazy to think that God is a king with no country.

What is Salvation?

Our idea of what salvation is plays a lot into the land. In the west our view of salvation has been based on what we are saved from. We know we are saved from Hell, sin, death, and the Devil. But what are we saved for? Many Christians believe we are saved for heaven but is this true? We are saved for the redemption of creation to image God. The narrative begins with Eden and ends with Eden.

What is the purpose of Heaven?

Heaven is usually understood as a transcendent realm beyond time and space. Heaven is primarily characterized by fellowship with and worship of God. The final destiny of the faithful is conceived of as an unending worship service in God’s immediate presence in another world. In the Bible we see heaven as God’s throne room but also as the place where his rule and reign are perfect… Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Lord’s Prayer). We see very few mentions of going to heaven in the Bible, but it has become a huge part of Christian theology.

Redemption

What is our future? Life after death is not the goal… life after life after death is!

• Rom 8:18-25. Liberation from decay and the redemption of our BODIES is the hope we are saved for. And Why? To be the image of God bodily on earth. Creation is longing for us to be redeemed so it can be redeemed too.
• Jesus speaks of the regeneration when he sits on his throne. To Jews this was when God would rule on earth again. (Matt 19:28)
• Acts 3:21 speaks also of the restoration of all things.
• Colossians 1:20 talks about all things reconciled in Christ.
• Eph 1:10 speaks of all things being summed up in Christ. In heaven and on earth. Heaven and earth is what is mentioned in Gen 1:1 for all of the cosmic creation so that is what Paul has in view of what is redeemed.
• God pronounces creation “very good” Gen 1:31. Our task is to steward that creation not to escape from it to heaven (escapism is platonic and gnostic thinking).

Resurrection

• 1 Cor 15:44-55- spiritual body is not being disembodied but being imperishable.
• Phil 3:20- our body will be like his. Jesus was resurrected bodily.
• John 5:28-29 The dead in their graves will rise

The importance of the resurrection is so that the image of God can be restored to its vocation perfectly when death is defeated. Our concentration in salvation is usually being saved from going to hell but we often leave the resurrection behind. Jesus died to defeat death. Death was the result of separation from God in the garden and that is what needs to be reversed. Why?... Image of God

New Heavens and New Earth- What is our destination?

• Rev 21:1-7. Heaven comes to earth. Koinos (renewed) is used here.
• Isaiah 65:17-25- Consistent with the OT. The Jews didn’t have a disembodied view of being human. They believe in God restoring his Eden mission.
• The meek will inherit the Earth!