Sunday: A New Beginning

One thing that science and the Bible do have in common is the belief that this earth, as we know it now, is not going to last forever.

Image © Steve Creitz from GoodSalt.com

For science (at least some versions of it), the same cold and mindless forces of chance that brought the earth and life on it into existence are the same cold and mindless forces of chance that are going to, eventually, destroy it. The Bible, too, teaches that this earth isn’t going to last forever, but will, indeed, be destroyed. In the scenario that science offers, however, that destruction is the end of everything forever; in contrast, in the biblical scenario, it’s the start of something brand new and wonderful, and that lasts forever, as well.

Read Revelation 21:1-5. What picture of the future is presented here? What wonderful promises await us? Why is this something that only God can do for us?

No question, one of the best promises of our new existence is that death and suffering will be forever gone. It is clear that God does not regard these experiences as positive. They were not in the Creation that God pronounced “very good” (Gen. 1:31). They are alien intruders; they were never meant to be part of the original Creation, and they won’t be part of the new one either. Jesus came to destroy these things, and we will never have to experience them again.

The new creation brings a new beginning. This wretched experiment with sin will be over. The results are in, and they are clear: sin brings death and suffering, and God’s law is the law of life.

As God created the heavens and the earth in the beginning, He will create a new heaven and a new earth, and with them we are all offered a new beginning. Only God, only the Creator, could do this for us. And it all comes to us through the work of Jesus in our behalf. Without the plan of salvation, we’d have no hope for anything beyond that which this life now offers, a pretty dismal thought.

Why are these promises of a new existence so crucial to us? What would our faith be without them?

16 comment(s) for this post:

Rodney Franko:
23 Mar 2013 The promises of new existence is crucial because its the only promise promise of salvation we all are looking forward to, a life free of death and suffering. Thank you Lord for this day and all the blessing. Amen
Jackie Locke:
24 Mar 2013 I am so glad that the love of God makes every day on this earth "sweeter than the day before." Still, the hope that we will one day be together forever in a much better world gives hope that is so essential for living each day as it is in this one! I am so thankful for the daily salvation and presence of the Lord as well as the final rescue and total physical life made new that will certainly happen in the future.
Lisa A. Bell:
24 Mar 2013 We would have no hope or nothing to look forward to after this life as we know is over. But its strange that some of us is not home sick when it involves death.
gerry stewart:
24 Mar 2013 wow! a new heaven and a new earth, only Adam new what it was like to live before sin, not a leaf fell from a tree ,talk with God, no human being after Adam knows what true life is, this earth and all that in it has to go we often cry, what is life? we really don't know . the life that is hid in Christ in God for us , includes a new heaven and a new earth ,what a blessed assurance.
Louisdon Pierre:
24 Mar 2013 The promise of eternal life gives us HOPE, a raison d'ettre and something to look forward. We must share this hope with folks that live believing in other non-biblical utopia. This will without doubt strengthen our faith, increase our spirituality and maintain our discipleship to Jesus Christ.
Litha Dyaloyi:
24 Mar 2013 The promise of a "better life" one day bring endurance. You rejioce even in the darkest hour knowing that soon the pain and suffering will end. Holding on to GOD's promises strengthens our faith.
TIMOTHY SHIKUKU:
25 Mar 2013 One thing i have realised,since God is the creator those who join HIM always have a new start.Friends let us surrender fully to our creator