Connecting Point: All Things New

Who doesn’t like new things? I recall the day we brought home our first family puppy, Oreo. The kids grew more ecstatic with each new day in the beginning. They made promises of how they would care for her, including pooper scooper patrol, feeding times, walks, etc. In a short amount of time, the grandeur of the new puppy faded. Any guesses of who primarily cared for Oreo? Now that three of the four kids are out of the home, Oreo is still a big part of our daily routine. My wife, Oreo, and I stroll around the neighborhood almost every morning. She loves her new diet with puppy-like behavior, bouncing and sprinting around the house. I guess you can teach old dogs new tricks.

On the subject of “new”, my thoughts have been on heaven. John speaks of this, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride dressed for her husband,” (Revelation 21:1-2).

Word studies help us to get clarification when looking at many verses in the Bible. Keep in mind these studies are not “new” revelation but can provide a clearer understanding in knowing the cultural background, context, and author’s intent. The well-respected pastor and teacher, Charles Swindoll makes the following correlation, “The new heaven and new earth will be new not merely in a chronological sense, as we might talk about a ‘new day,’ for example. Rather, John describes qualitative newness…To use a film metaphor, this isn’t a sequel—it is a completely new and different production.” It is not simply a re-edited, enhanced version.

The Greek word kainos, ‘new’ means “different from the usual, impressive, better than the old, superior in value or attraction.” What is to come is going to be amazing. The new heaven and earth will be free from sin, a perfect world inhabited by those who have repented and recognized Christ as their Savior.

Peter addresses what lead up to the new heaven and earth as well. “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the Earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells,” (2 Peter 3:10-13).

Peter assures us that everything will be made new.

The question remains will that include you?