by Richard Clark Jr.

“Set your mind on things above. … When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:2, 4, NKJV.

We don’t talk enough about heaven and the earth made new. That was a response of mine after hearing a sermon on the topic that was given by an 8th grader at the church where I worship. It was the final meeting of a Bible prophecy seminar that was presented by her Christian school class. Besides preaching, the students helped with child care, provided music, helped with seminar registration—you name it! The youthful speaker that night wasn’t a Billy Graham, of course, but the message she shared came through beautifully. And what a message!

Here are some glimpses the Bible gives of heaven and the earth restored:

There will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:5). We’ll have life forever—and it won’t be life as we know it now, life “at this poor dying rate,” to quote a hymn (Come Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove). We’ll have perfect health forever. We will have glorified bodies—like Jesus’ resurrected body (Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54).

We will have eternal fellowship with the family Paul writes about—the whole family in heaven and earth—God’s redeemed people from throughout earth’s history, the unfallen heavenly beings, and our Savior and Heavenly Father (Ephesians 3:15; Revelation 21:3; Revelation 14:4; Isaiah 66:22-23).

No one will dishonor anyone or be dishonored. No one will kill anyone (or anything!) or be killed. No one will be unfaithful or be betrayed. No one will steal or be stolen from. No one will be dishonest or be lied to. No one will even covet! (See Exodus 20:12-17 and Deuteronomy 5:16-21. James didn’t call God’s Law the “Law of Liberty” arbitrarily.)

We will build homes and plant vineyards (and surely gardens in general). Even the animals will live in harmony—wolves and lions will eat grass instead of other animals (see Isaiah 65:17-25).

I encourage you to lift your thoughts to where Jesus is now, in heaven. Look to Him, take heart, and be filled with joyful expectancy for the wonderful home He prepares for us. And remember Eliza Hewitt’s hymn: “Let us sing a song that will cheer us by the way, In a little while we’re going home.”