The Christian’s residence in time is so short, his heart is so carnal, and his mental capacity is so occupied that, regardless of his desire to study, he learns so little of the character and works of the eternal God. Added to the aforementioned things, the few opportunities to hear the word of God expounded manifest the reason why there is so little depth of understanding of God’s eternal purpose.

On the other hand, there is a power of opposition against the sovereign Ruler of the heavens and the earth. That power of opposition was first revealed in the heavens when Lucifer rebelled against God (Isa. 14; Ezek. 28). That same evil power was introduced on earth when Adam fell. Revelation has revealed how that Satanic power has invaded every realm of mankind.

This evil power dominates politics which will be consummated in the Antichrist. Commercialism will centralize under the authority of the beast, and ideological deception will be consummated in the false prophet. The realm of professing Christendom will be finalized in the great whore of Babylon.

The social order of this world is constantly changing, but not for the better. Everything in the world, with the exception of the grace of God in the elect, is changing for that which is worthless.

The inward man of the Christian is changing for the better while, at the same time, his outward man is deteriorating. Hence, the believer is living in a decaying body, while dwelling in an increasingly evil world. Therefore, this hope in time is in neither a body free from a decaying process nor a society that is getting better. His hope in time is in Christ who has promised him a new body in which to dwell in the new heavens and the new earth.

The point from eternity to eternity must be emphasized. Although man is a created being in time, he was in the purpose of God. Hence, the elect having been chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world would be regenerated and converted in time. Those regenerated in time have the assurance that what began in God’s eternal purpose will be consummated. Furthermore, when the elect behold Christ in the new heavens and the new earth, we will be able to relate, with greater intensity of feeling, to what the Queen of Sheba felt when she saw Solomon and his prosperity: “…I did not believe the reports, until I came and my eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. You exceed in wisdom and prosperity the report which I heard” (I Kings 10:7).

God has revealed just enough about eternity to stimulate the hope of His people. We shall never be infinite. Man is a created being; therefore, the finite can no more become infinite than time can become eternity. We shall always be in the presence of the Infinite. Hence, we give thanks to the Godhead for having been chosen, redeemed, regenerated, justified, sanctified, and glorified. We will be forever in His Divine presence.

The heavens, apart from God’s abode, and the earth are in God’s plan. Christians are able to see that God’s royal rule embraces the whole of creation. There is a circular movement from God back to God. Ezekiel saw a wheel within a wheel (Ezek. 1). In the highest view, the whole symbol declares that God is the Lord of the universe. Ezekiel’s vision of the cherubim and the wheels were to correct his despondent mood and assure him that God was keeping watch over His own in that dark hour of Israel’s history. That nation’s life had not passed from God’s control. Divine providence rules in the universe God created. Unlike man, God never brings something into existence that He cannot control. Two outstanding features are presented in the prophet’s vision: (1) The “living creatures” presented the ministries of God’s grace in the world of spiritual agencies. (2) The accompanying “wheels” symbolized the operations of Divine providence.

The earth plays an important role in God’s plan: “The heavens are the heavens of the LORD, but the earth He has given to the sons of men” (Ps. 115:16). Planet earth was made for man. Its creation, catastrophe, restoration, and renewal must all be considered in God’s plan. The created earth was poised in space: “He stretches out the north over empty space and hangs the earth on nothing” (Job 26:7). Its rotundity is proven by Scripture: “When He established the heavens, I was there, When He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep” (Prov. 8:27). Isaiah spoke of Him: “It is He who sits above the circle of the earth” (Is. 40:22). At Christ’s second coming some will be in bed, some in the field, and some at the mill (Luke 17:34-36). Creation itself will be set free from its corruption when it is renewed (Is. 65:17; II Pet. 3:13).

The new heavens and the new earth are not to be the main theme of interest for the elect of God. They are presented first, like the old heavens and the old earth in Genesis. As the first heavens and the first earth were prepared for man’s benefit, the new earth and new heavens shall be prepared for the benefit of the new man in Christ. As the Garden of Eden was the central idea for Adam in the old earth, the new Jerusalem will be the central idea for the redeemed and glorified man on the new earth. As Adam’s fellowship with God in Eden was the principle event, our eternally unmediating fellowship with Jesus Christ will be the characteristic event of the new Jerusalem.

The Bible speaks of three heavens (II Cor. 12:2). Paul said to the Corinthians, “Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me” (II Cor. 12:1-6).

The creation of the new heavens has no reference to the residence of the thrice Holy God. God’s residence is in the heaven of heavens. David said, “O LORD, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth, Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!” (Ps. 8:1). One must understand that the word in Genesis 1:1 is plural—“heavens.” Peter said, “But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells” (II Pet. 3:13). Scripture does speak of three heavens (II Cor. 12:2), but only those associated with time shall be created anew.

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The NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE—UPDATED EDITION is the source of all Scripture quotations in this message, unless otherwise noted.

Copyright ã   2006

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