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Lesson 33: The New Earth
God has promised in His word that our future in paradise is very real. God longs for us to be in that wonderful place with Him forever. However, it may be different than you previously imagined. Many people have misconceptions about what we will do for eternity. So let's learn what is and isn't true as we explore what the Bible actually teaches us about our eternal dwelling.
Q1. What are we called when we have accepted Jesus as our Savior? Read John 1:12, 13.
A. ___________________________________________________________________________
Q2. What privilege comes with being a child of God? Read Galatians 4:7 and Romans 8:16, 17.
A. ___________________________________________________________________________
Q3. What did Christ promise He would prepare for His followers? Read John 14:1-3.
A. ___________________________________________________________________________
Just like when you go to the family village every summer and your mother or aunt has prepared special food and a room especially for you, Jesus is making everything ready for your arrival in heaven. What a wonderful promise!
Q4. How does the Bible describe the place that God is preparing for us? Read 1 Corinthians 2:9, 10.
A. ___________________________________________________________________________
Q5. What will happen to this earth at the second coming of Christ? Read 2 Peter 3:10.
A. ___________________________________________________________________________
Because “God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29), nothing that has been tainted by sin will be able to withstand Christ’s full glory at His coming. The earth will be left desolate. It it at this time, as we have seen in the previous lesson, that Satan will be “bound” on earth for a 1000 years (Revelation 20:1-4).
Shining Stars Series (Philippians 2:14-16)
Reşat asked, “How can the whole earth be destroyed by fire?”
Mehmet said, “You see, God has got to take His righteous people from this earth so He can destroy the effects of evil. Basically humans have ruined their own planet. The oceans have become a trash heap. The buildings, the concrete, the pollution, all of it must be burned with fire.
Reşat, “I know, but our earth is 2/3rd’s water!”
Mert sat forward, “Reşat ağabey, I think your vision of God’s fire is too small. If the earth happened to touch the Sun, would the Aegean sea extinguish the sun!? Actually, water is made of two highly flammable components, hydrogen and oxygen. Look, what does a coal stove need to burn? Oxygen. And of course everyone knows after the Hindenburg, that hydrogen is extremely flammable. One of the hottest flames you can make is done with atomic hydrogen welding. It burns between 3600 and 4000 C. God could use those elements to clean things up pretty well!”
Fatma said proudly, “I knew your university chemistry classes were good for something!”
“Now I am confused; I thought I read somewhere earlier in a lesson that we were to live in paradise on an earth made new,” Türkan said holding up her Bible. Pondering the seeming inconsistency she asked, “Now the Bible is saying that the earth is going to be burned up?”
Gül, still looking down in her lap at her Bible said, “Grandma, I think your answer is here in this same chapter. Look here in just a few more verses at 2 Peter 3:11-13, ‘Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.’ ”
Yusuf, “Yes, oh, that’s cool! That’s exactly what I was reading in Revelation 21! We will live in the earth made new.”
Türkan said, “I see. The fire is more like a thorough house cleaning!” Everyone laughed.
Mehmet added, “I think, the complete sequence of events will help us to understand. You remember last week we studied Revelation 20 and how the redeemed will go to heaven and dwell there for a 1000 years. It is my understanding that following this, God will transport us back to earth, where we will watch the final judgment, that is, the destruction of all the wicked by fire, and then I assume we will be able to watch the recreation of the earth into a paradise. Wouldn’t that be something to watch?!”
Yusuf excitedly blurted out, “Here it is, listen to this.”
Reşat said, “Hold on, where are you reading from?”
“Sorry, I am in Revelation chapter 21:1-3. ‘Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.’ ”
Fatma, “Hmmm. So in a very real sense, it will be heaven on earth! God is going to live among us, and we with Him!” (To be Continued)
Q6. Will the redeemed live in heaven forever? Read Matthew 5:5.
A. ___________________________________________________________________________
The “meek” are those who have lost all confidence in self and are depending entirely on the righteousness of Christ for their salvation. Those Jesus admires and rewards are those who have retired all confidence in human effort but lean on His capability. Natural talent, wealth, heritage, nationality, religion and good deeds are considered meritless towards inheriting eternal life.
God’s original plan for this world will be fulfilled. He designed it to be filled with happy, holy people and despite the entrance of sin, God’s purposes will be carried out. God’s contested territory with Satan will ultimately be won back and transformed. Earth will be the home of the redeemed forever.
Q7. What will be in the New Earth that also was in Eden? Read Revelation 22:1, 2.
A. ___________________________________________________________________________
Just as God turned the shapeless void of earth at creation into a lovely paradise for Adam and Eve, He will literally recreate paradise for us and give us access to the tree of life (Genesis 3:22-24). Once again we will eat of the tree of life and live forever! The great tragedy that began with our relatives Adam and Eve will end, and by faith in Christ, (Romans 5:15) we will be able to dwell with God in paradise.
Q8. What won’t be in this new Eden? Read Isaiah 35:5; 65:23 and Revelation 21:4, 8.
A. ___________________________________________________________________________
The curse on the earth will be removed, the fangs, the thorns, disease, deformity and all death will be forever gone.
Q9. What hope did Abraham have? Read Hebrews 11:8-10, 16, 39-40.
A. ___________________________________________________________________________
This has been the hope and aim of the faithful believers and prophets from the beginning of time. Abraham was looking forward to a celestial city. Did you notice that in Hebrews 11:39-40, Abraham has not gone to this city yet (he still sleeps in the dust), and that he will enter "together with us”?
Q10. How large is the city God has built for the saints? Read Revelation 21:16, 17.
A. ___________________________________________________________________________
The city of God will be over 2000 cubic kilometers, being as high and wide as it is long. To put that into perspective, from Edirne to Van by road is 1850 km. Mount Ararat is only 5166 meters tall, a dwarf next to this city towering toward space!
How does the Bible describe the city? Read Revelation 21:2, 17-25.
Q11. What will our bodies be like? Read Philippians 3:20, 21.
A. ___________________________________________________________________________
We will have a body like Christ’s resurrected body. What was His body like? Luke 24:36-43 tells us that He was very much made of flesh. So much so that the disciples could touch Him. He demonstrated that He wasn’t a ghost, by eating food in front of them. From this we can assume that heaven will have all the joys of taste and touch that we appreciate now, without the perversion, over indulgences and lusts that we have corrupted us here.
Q12. What are some of the things that we will be doing in heaven? Read Isaiah 65:21-25.
A. ___________________________________________________________________________
Shining Stars Series (Philippians 2:14-16)
As the group read through Revelation 21 and 22 together, a solemn sense of awe and wonder filled the room, so vivid was the description of our heavenly home, and romantically enticing.
Afife sighed and said, “Oh, what a wonderful place. I can see it all. Since I was a child I have struggled with asthma and to think that will be gone, and I will be able to breath normally again.”
Fatma’s eyes were teary, “I miss my husband so much, and to know that death will haunt us no more!”
Just then there was the loud shrill of the door bell. Fatma jumped up, they all looked at one another, wondering if perhaps Ekrem had chosen to come. The living room was situated where they couldn’t see the front door. But from the hallway, they could hear Fatma say a polite, “Hello.” Then the the next words were spoken by a rough male voice. Mert jumped up, and poked his head out into the hallway and pulled it back again. He looked at the group. He whispered, “It’s the police!”
Everyone folded up their Bibles, except Türkan. She kept her Bible open on her lap. “I have a right to read what I want, when I want. This is my home.”
Just then, Fatma came into the room, and said, “It seems someone called and reported that we were doing something illegal here. The police were quite polite to me and actually apologized for the disturbance. I explained briefly that we are simply a group of friends reading the Bible together. But they are waiting at the door for two of us to go to the police station right now with them. Since it is my home, I must go. Who will go with me?”
Mehmet said, “I will go.”
“Thank you Mehmet. Let’s go.” Fatma nodded to the group, “Mert would you lead the group in prayer for Mehmet and I?”
Mehmet shook his head, “This looks to me like the work of my wife. I am so sorry. She got angry today when I told her that our group was praying for God to heal her of her continual headaches.”
Fatma laid her hand on Mehmet’s shoulder, “Brother, Jesus said, ‘Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ Teacher, you have blessed our group, and have done no wrong. I was wondering if it was a neighbor because they see so many people gathering at the house week after week. I have been studying with Gülsün at work because she can’t come here at night because of her kids. The other worker seems to resent me sharing my faith. The worker knows I have meetings in my home but why would someone turn their employer into the police? That doesn’t make any sense. I don’t know who told the police to investigate.”
Three hours later Fatma and Mehmet returned happy but tired. They found everyone still gathered and praying. The group was so eager to hear what was said at the police station.
Fatma began, “Well. They weren’t as kind at the station as they were at the door. They treated us at first like we were some sort of criminals. I decided to be as direct and honest as possible. What is there to be ashamed of? I am a faithful Turkish citizen. I simply told them that we had met for two years studying the Old and New Testaments. Mehmet was great, he began telling them about our lesson tonight on the “New Earth.” Immediately they became more interested. In fact they forgot they were supposed to be investigating our group, and wanted all their questions answered about heaven! When Mehmet told them that there was no mention of different levels of heaven in the New Testament but that everyone got the same glorious reward and everyone would be together with God, one officer got especially interested. Then another officer asked Mehmet about supposed virgins for every man. Mehmet answered wisely and said, “Does that really sound like a plan that God would come up with for preserving heaven as a holy place?”
Reşat laughed and held his wife’s hand, “Well, Afife darling, I know that you may be disappointed that heaven doesn’t hold dozens of virgins for me.”
Fatma smiled, “It seems the police were honest men, and could see the logic of Mehmet’s answer. In the end, I was able to explain several different aspects of our discoveries, including the Ten Commandments, and how Jesus’ resurrection is an open door for all of us to receive God’s grace and change our fate.”
Mert, “Did they bring any charges against you? Or should I say against us?”
Fatma, “What could they charge us with? Mehmet, tell them about what happened as we were leaving.”
Mehmet cleared his throat, “Fatma had told them that we often prayed for people who were sick or in need of health. One of the police followed us to the door and as we stepped out of the police station and onto the street, he said to me in a low voice, “Please pray for my eight year old. She is deaf in one ear. I embraced him, kissed him and told him I would certainly pray for a miracle for her.”
Everyone praised the Lord that night for the opportunity to pray for this policeman’s daughter, and they knelt right there and then to pray together and thank God. They prayed for this little girl’s hearing to be healed, and they prayed for Teacher Mehmet’s wife’s headaches to go away. Most of all they praised God for a “celestial city” and asked God, that like Abraham, that no matter the future, they would remain faithful to meet in the new earth, beneath the tree of life.
Q13. Do you want to enter into the New Jerusalem and eat of the tree of life?
A. ___________________________________________________________________________
Call to commitment through prayer.
For further study read: Jeremiah 4:23-27 and Isaiah 66.
God has promised in His word that our future in paradise is very real. God longs for us to be in that wonderful place with Him forever. However, it may be different than you previously imagined. Many people have misconceptions about what we will do for eternity. So let's learn what is and isn't true as we explore what the Bible actually teaches us about our eternal dwelling.
Q1. What are we called when we have accepted Jesus as our Savior? Read John 1:12, 13.
A. ___________________________________________________________________________
Q2. What privilege comes with being a child of God? Read Galatians 4:7 and Romans 8:16, 17.
A. ___________________________________________________________________________
Q3. What did Christ promise He would prepare for His followers? Read John 14:1-3.
A. ___________________________________________________________________________
Just like when you go to the family village every summer and your mother or aunt has prepared special food and a room especially for you, Jesus is making everything ready for your arrival in heaven. What a wonderful promise!
Q4. How does the Bible describe the place that God is preparing for us? Read 1 Corinthians 2:9, 10.
A. ___________________________________________________________________________
Q5. What will happen to this earth at the second coming of Christ? Read 2 Peter 3:10.
A. ___________________________________________________________________________
Because “God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29), nothing that has been tainted by sin will be able to withstand Christ’s full glory at His coming. The earth will be left desolate. It it at this time, as we have seen in the previous lesson, that Satan will be “bound” on earth for a 1000 years (Revelation 20:1-4).
Shining Stars Series (Philippians 2:14-16)
Reşat asked, “How can the whole earth be destroyed by fire?”
Mehmet said, “You see, God has got to take His righteous people from this earth so He can destroy the effects of evil. Basically humans have ruined their own planet. The oceans have become a trash heap. The buildings, the concrete, the pollution, all of it must be burned with fire.
Reşat, “I know, but our earth is 2/3rd’s water!”
Mert sat forward, “Reşat ağabey, I think your vision of God’s fire is too small. If the earth happened to touch the Sun, would the Aegean sea extinguish the sun!? Actually, water is made of two highly flammable components, hydrogen and oxygen. Look, what does a coal stove need to burn? Oxygen. And of course everyone knows after the Hindenburg, that hydrogen is extremely flammable. One of the hottest flames you can make is done with atomic hydrogen welding. It burns between 3600 and 4000 C. God could use those elements to clean things up pretty well!”
Fatma said proudly, “I knew your university chemistry classes were good for something!”
“Now I am confused; I thought I read somewhere earlier in a lesson that we were to live in paradise on an earth made new,” Türkan said holding up her Bible. Pondering the seeming inconsistency she asked, “Now the Bible is saying that the earth is going to be burned up?”
Gül, still looking down in her lap at her Bible said, “Grandma, I think your answer is here in this same chapter. Look here in just a few more verses at 2 Peter 3:11-13, ‘Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.’ ”
Yusuf, “Yes, oh, that’s cool! That’s exactly what I was reading in Revelation 21! We will live in the earth made new.”
Türkan said, “I see. The fire is more like a thorough house cleaning!” Everyone laughed.
Mehmet added, “I think, the complete sequence of events will help us to understand. You remember last week we studied Revelation 20 and how the redeemed will go to heaven and dwell there for a 1000 years. It is my understanding that following this, God will transport us back to earth, where we will watch the final judgment, that is, the destruction of all the wicked by fire, and then I assume we will be able to watch the recreation of the earth into a paradise. Wouldn’t that be something to watch?!”
Yusuf excitedly blurted out, “Here it is, listen to this.”
Reşat said, “Hold on, where are you reading from?”
“Sorry, I am in Revelation chapter 21:1-3. ‘Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.’ ”
Fatma, “Hmmm. So in a very real sense, it will be heaven on earth! God is going to live among us, and we with Him!” (To be Continued)
Q6. Will the redeemed live in heaven forever? Read Matthew 5:5.
A. ___________________________________________________________________________
The “meek” are those who have lost all confidence in self and are depending entirely on the righteousness of Christ for their salvation. Those Jesus admires and rewards are those who have retired all confidence in human effort but lean on His capability. Natural talent, wealth, heritage, nationality, religion and good deeds are considered meritless towards inheriting eternal life.
God’s original plan for this world will be fulfilled. He designed it to be filled with happy, holy people and despite the entrance of sin, God’s purposes will be carried out. God’s contested territory with Satan will ultimately be won back and transformed. Earth will be the home of the redeemed forever.
Q7. What will be in the New Earth that also was in Eden? Read Revelation 22:1, 2.
A. ___________________________________________________________________________
Just as God turned the shapeless void of earth at creation into a lovely paradise for Adam and Eve, He will literally recreate paradise for us and give us access to the tree of life (Genesis 3:22-24). Once again we will eat of the tree of life and live forever! The great tragedy that began with our relatives Adam and Eve will end, and by faith in Christ, (Romans 5:15) we will be able to dwell with God in paradise.
Q8. What won’t be in this new Eden? Read Isaiah 35:5; 65:23 and Revelation 21:4, 8.
A. ___________________________________________________________________________
The curse on the earth will be removed, the fangs, the thorns, disease, deformity and all death will be forever gone.
Q9. What hope did Abraham have? Read Hebrews 11:8-10, 16, 39-40.
A. ___________________________________________________________________________
This has been the hope and aim of the faithful believers and prophets from the beginning of time. Abraham was looking forward to a celestial city. Did you notice that in Hebrews 11:39-40, Abraham has not gone to this city yet (he still sleeps in the dust), and that he will enter "together with us”?
Q10. How large is the city God has built for the saints? Read Revelation 21:16, 17.
A. ___________________________________________________________________________
The city of God will be over 2000 cubic kilometers, being as high and wide as it is long. To put that into perspective, from Edirne to Van by road is 1850 km. Mount Ararat is only 5166 meters tall, a dwarf next to this city towering toward space!
How does the Bible describe the city? Read Revelation 21:2, 17-25.
- verse 2 What is the name of the city? _______________
- verse 18 The wall of it was made of ________________. (Translator: The following b-g can be in question form if it is easier. e.g. What was the wall made of? What substance was the city made from? etc.)
- verse 18 The city was pure __________________.
- verse 21 The twelve gates were twelve ____________.
- verse 21 The streets were pure ________________________
- verse 23 The city needed neither ______________________
- verse 25 There shall be no ___________________________
- (Revelation 21:1)______________________________________
- (Isaiah 35:1)_______________________________________
- (Isaiah 60:18)______________________________________
- (Isaiah 65:25)______________________________________
- (Revelation 7:16)___________________________________
- (Isaiah 33:24)___________________________________
Q11. What will our bodies be like? Read Philippians 3:20, 21.
A. ___________________________________________________________________________
We will have a body like Christ’s resurrected body. What was His body like? Luke 24:36-43 tells us that He was very much made of flesh. So much so that the disciples could touch Him. He demonstrated that He wasn’t a ghost, by eating food in front of them. From this we can assume that heaven will have all the joys of taste and touch that we appreciate now, without the perversion, over indulgences and lusts that we have corrupted us here.
Q12. What are some of the things that we will be doing in heaven? Read Isaiah 65:21-25.
A. ___________________________________________________________________________
Shining Stars Series (Philippians 2:14-16)
As the group read through Revelation 21 and 22 together, a solemn sense of awe and wonder filled the room, so vivid was the description of our heavenly home, and romantically enticing.
Afife sighed and said, “Oh, what a wonderful place. I can see it all. Since I was a child I have struggled with asthma and to think that will be gone, and I will be able to breath normally again.”
Fatma’s eyes were teary, “I miss my husband so much, and to know that death will haunt us no more!”
Just then there was the loud shrill of the door bell. Fatma jumped up, they all looked at one another, wondering if perhaps Ekrem had chosen to come. The living room was situated where they couldn’t see the front door. But from the hallway, they could hear Fatma say a polite, “Hello.” Then the the next words were spoken by a rough male voice. Mert jumped up, and poked his head out into the hallway and pulled it back again. He looked at the group. He whispered, “It’s the police!”
Everyone folded up their Bibles, except Türkan. She kept her Bible open on her lap. “I have a right to read what I want, when I want. This is my home.”
Just then, Fatma came into the room, and said, “It seems someone called and reported that we were doing something illegal here. The police were quite polite to me and actually apologized for the disturbance. I explained briefly that we are simply a group of friends reading the Bible together. But they are waiting at the door for two of us to go to the police station right now with them. Since it is my home, I must go. Who will go with me?”
Mehmet said, “I will go.”
“Thank you Mehmet. Let’s go.” Fatma nodded to the group, “Mert would you lead the group in prayer for Mehmet and I?”
Mehmet shook his head, “This looks to me like the work of my wife. I am so sorry. She got angry today when I told her that our group was praying for God to heal her of her continual headaches.”
Fatma laid her hand on Mehmet’s shoulder, “Brother, Jesus said, ‘Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ Teacher, you have blessed our group, and have done no wrong. I was wondering if it was a neighbor because they see so many people gathering at the house week after week. I have been studying with Gülsün at work because she can’t come here at night because of her kids. The other worker seems to resent me sharing my faith. The worker knows I have meetings in my home but why would someone turn their employer into the police? That doesn’t make any sense. I don’t know who told the police to investigate.”
Three hours later Fatma and Mehmet returned happy but tired. They found everyone still gathered and praying. The group was so eager to hear what was said at the police station.
Fatma began, “Well. They weren’t as kind at the station as they were at the door. They treated us at first like we were some sort of criminals. I decided to be as direct and honest as possible. What is there to be ashamed of? I am a faithful Turkish citizen. I simply told them that we had met for two years studying the Old and New Testaments. Mehmet was great, he began telling them about our lesson tonight on the “New Earth.” Immediately they became more interested. In fact they forgot they were supposed to be investigating our group, and wanted all their questions answered about heaven! When Mehmet told them that there was no mention of different levels of heaven in the New Testament but that everyone got the same glorious reward and everyone would be together with God, one officer got especially interested. Then another officer asked Mehmet about supposed virgins for every man. Mehmet answered wisely and said, “Does that really sound like a plan that God would come up with for preserving heaven as a holy place?”
Reşat laughed and held his wife’s hand, “Well, Afife darling, I know that you may be disappointed that heaven doesn’t hold dozens of virgins for me.”
Fatma smiled, “It seems the police were honest men, and could see the logic of Mehmet’s answer. In the end, I was able to explain several different aspects of our discoveries, including the Ten Commandments, and how Jesus’ resurrection is an open door for all of us to receive God’s grace and change our fate.”
Mert, “Did they bring any charges against you? Or should I say against us?”
Fatma, “What could they charge us with? Mehmet, tell them about what happened as we were leaving.”
Mehmet cleared his throat, “Fatma had told them that we often prayed for people who were sick or in need of health. One of the police followed us to the door and as we stepped out of the police station and onto the street, he said to me in a low voice, “Please pray for my eight year old. She is deaf in one ear. I embraced him, kissed him and told him I would certainly pray for a miracle for her.”
Everyone praised the Lord that night for the opportunity to pray for this policeman’s daughter, and they knelt right there and then to pray together and thank God. They prayed for this little girl’s hearing to be healed, and they prayed for Teacher Mehmet’s wife’s headaches to go away. Most of all they praised God for a “celestial city” and asked God, that like Abraham, that no matter the future, they would remain faithful to meet in the new earth, beneath the tree of life.
Q13. Do you want to enter into the New Jerusalem and eat of the tree of life?
A. ___________________________________________________________________________
Call to commitment through prayer.
For further study read: Jeremiah 4:23-27 and Isaiah 66.