The Truth About Our Eternal Home
As Christians, we often refer to heaven as our home, but is that really accurate? While it’s true that we will be with Jesus in heaven after we die, the Bible reveals that heaven is not our ultimate destination.
The Original Plan
When God created the world, He declared it “very good” (Genesis 1:31). The earth was designed to be our home, and God took great delight in His creation. However, sin entered the world, causing problems and corruption. Despite this, God’s plan is to renew the earth, not to discard it.
A Temporary Abode
Heaven is often seen as a temporary home for Christians who have died, a place where we await the general resurrection. In Revelation 6:10, the martyrs cry out for justice, indicating that they are not yet in their final state. Meanwhile, on earth, all creation groans, waiting for liberation from bondage to corruption (Romans 8:22).
The Return of Christ
It’s at the return of Jesus that the earth will be renewed, and we will truly be at home. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:1-8, our earthly bodies will be transformed into permanent, heavenly bodies. But what about those who have died before Christ’s return? Paul uses the metaphor of clothing to describe our earthly bodies, which will be replaced with new, eternal bodies.
The Renewal of the Earth
The Bible speaks of two destructions of the earth: one by flood and one by fire. However, just as the flood did not annihilate the earth, neither will the coming destruction by fire. Instead, the earth will be cleansed and reborn. In 2 Peter 3:10, we read that the coming fiery purging will expose the works done on earth, and some will be refined and remain.
Our Physical Bodies Need a Physical World
If we believe in a physical resurrection, then our renewed bodies will need a renewed earth to inhabit. Jesus intends to stay on this earth, ruling over a world that has been made new. The Greek word for “new” used in Revelation 21:4 is kainos, meaning “renewed,” not “replaced.”
Conclusion
Heaven is not our ultimate home; the renewed earth is. Jesus was raised to earth, not heaven, and His resurrection is the first fruits of our hope. As Christians, we will be raised as Christ was raised, and we will live on a renewed earth, free from the effects of sin. Let us look forward to that glorious day when all will be made new.
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