New Heavens and New earth

I am captured by the phrase “I make all things new” (Revelations 21:5). Does God really mean all things? Would that include the sun, stars, moon, the people around us, our bodies, our clothes and even our shoes?

Consistently through the Bible there is an apocalyptic hope of the end of days. Where God disposes of this depraved world, and brings in a new order. This order includes a new heaven, and earth including even the dust particles according to Isaiah 65. In this new age everything is new. Even the relationship dynamics between beasts and men. We are told in scripture the lion will lie down with the lamb, and animals will be timid towards us.

While these things may seem outlandish, yet scripture boldly affirms the certainty of these events. This new order however though it ends in a re-creation of all things begins with an internal catharsis. Mark’s gospel presents Jesus as ushering in the kingdom age. Here Christ begins the new order by modelling it for us. This order was one in which he overturns societal hierarchy as he dines with the poor and treats women as equals. Bondage and oppression melted away in his presence. His death and resurrection paved the way for us to share in this new order. As our death became his, his life became ours. The kingdom of heaven finally was in the grip of humanity indeed in the hearts of those who believed on him. For them a new heaven had been created, deep in their hearts.

Though we as Christ’s followers live in the reality of a new heaven, this earth’s effects of earthquakes, tsunamis, and sinful human actions relay the harsh realities of the old earth. Creation as it were seems to writhe in agony, waiting for the revelation of the sons of God. (Romans 8). You and I as believers are the sons of God. We groan along with creation, anticipating the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. I have been to places of the earth that have been ravaged by the enemy, and I long to see the restorative glory of God working in these broken contexts.

As we anticipate this new order, what keeps us in active hope? I say active because some mentally assent to their trust in God’s restoration, but it doesn’t affect their daily faith. I believe it is only a vibrant and intimate relationship with Christ that can spur us on to persist in waiting. Whether in devastated Haiti or privileged Canada, it is the daily whispers and nudging of Christ’s intimate assurance that can foster hope to the meaning of life. As we walk hand in hand with Christ, his loving touch empowers us to bring a spiritual heaven to earthly chaos. Our little of acts of love go a long way, as we bring spiritual hope to this “old” earth, depositing strands of heaven in those around us. Bits and pieces of heaven that will one day culminate in a brand new earth.