Section 9: The End Times
Week 4: The New Heaven and the New Earth
Day 4: Eternity in the New Heaven and the New Earth
Rev. 22
We keep using the word eternity. What does it mean though? With respect to God, the term refers to the fact that he exists outside of time and therefore doesn’t have a beginning or an end. When it comes to the new creation, we often think of it in similar terms – time will no longer exist.
That may not be the case though. Even in our resurrected bodies, we won’t be God. We will still be finite. As result, our power won’t be unlimited the way that God’s is. We won’t be present everywhere all at once like he is. So, there is no reason to think we will exist outside of time the way that he does. As a result, we likely will still experience life as a succession of moments one after another. According to Revelation, for example, the tree of life bears fruit each month (Rev. 22:2).
Eternity, therefore, takes on a different meaning when we apply it to life in the new creation. Life will still take place inside of time, but our life inside of time will never come to an end.
Challenge:
Try to picture what it will be like to live in the new heaven and the new earth forever.
Reflection Questions:
Do you think we still be finite/limited creatures in the new heaven and new earth? If so, does it make sense that we will still live within time? Why/Why not? How do you feel about the fact that our time in the new heaven and the new earth will never end though?
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