the new creation
rom. 8.18-25
beyond imagination
we cannot imagine what is going to come next
•He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done
from beginning to end. ecc. 3.11
•No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those
who love Him. 1 cor. 2.9
stretch your mind and strain your eyes to build a sustaining hope
•HOPE the theme behind the new creation
the creation waits with eager [αποδεχομαι] longing. (rom. 8.19)
hope that creation will be set free from corruption to bring to glory the children of God.
(8.20-21)
we wait eagerly for the redemption of our bodies, we groan inwardly [στεναζω] (8.23). a
hope that we were saved by (8.24).
the new creation is unique—hope that is seen is not hope (8.24-25).
where is heaven and hell?
heaven and hell are physical not just spiritual
•1 cor. 15 resurrection of believers
•dan. 12.2; rev. 20 resurrection of unbelievers
heaven and hell continue to be after this creation is over
•don’t let language get in the way of this concept. if language intrudes, substitute respective
words [Abraham’s Bosom, Hades, Sheol, Paradise, etc.].
•The Bible clarifies that both heaven and hell continue after the moment God commands the
cosmos to be “rolled up like a scroll” (is. 34.4), to “disappear with a roar” (2 pt. 3.10), and to
“melt in the heat” (2 pt. 3.12).
eschatology is becoming part of the world of cosmological discussion.
heat death
big crunch
new Jerusalem how we know physics will be different
no death or decay
•“the old order of things has passed away, I am making everything new!” (rev. 21.4-5)
•“no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” (rev. 21.4)
this implies an elimination of the second law of thermodynamics [law of decay].
cf. “the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay” (rom. 8.21)
cf. “brought into the glorious freedom” (8.21)
cf. “the redemption of [their] bodies” (8.23)
new Jerusalem how we know physics will be different
the descriptions of the new Jerusalem (rev. 21.10-27)
•the measurements used by the angel’s rod is given in cubits (17.5 inches)
The walls are 216 feet thick
the length, width, and height are 1,380 miles each
•the structure has corners so it is either a cube or a pyramid
thus, there is spatial dimensionality
•gravity, mass, or both, at least as we know them, will not exist
gravity turns all massive bodies larger than 300 miles [500 km] into spherical shapes
•bathed in light, but not electromagnetic light
no sun, moon, or stars will exist (is. 34.4; rev. 21.23; 22.5)
no darkness, night, or shadows (rev. 21.23; 22.5)
•in the present creation, all physical laws are linked to thermodynamics, gravity, and
electromagnetism
the elimination of all three from the new creation implies a removal of all present
physics
God means it when He says, “I am making everything new.”
different dimensions oneness with people and God
a resemblance of His oneness (cf. jn. 17.21)
•we can never be so “far” from each other to not have immediate and intimate contact with
others at the same “time.”
•perhaps time may be multidimensional (there will be time)
time will most likely be geometric instead of linear
time may appear in more than one dimension
countless, simultaneous interaction
no schedules or lines to spend time with Jesus (2 cor. 5.8; phil. 1.21-26), a friend,
a relative, Abraham, Moses, David, Mary, Adam, or whomever you wish!
prepared by grace
a full pardon gives the new creation of rewards and pleasures as
expressions of grace
•only humans can experience grace, angels only observe it
angels observe us as they seek to comprehend the full impact of this grace (1 cor. 4.9;
1 pt. 1.10-12)
angels watch us to grasp how “wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ”
(eph. 3.18)
God’s “intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be
made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms” (eph. 3.10)
•because of grace, redeemed humans will experience new creation rewards in a way angels
cannot
relationship pleasures
beatification (1 cor. 13.12)
•we will be filled and surrounded by God’s goodness
•we will be taught by God (jn. 6.45)
this means we will be filled with knowledge and understanding (not infinitely)
each individual will be great to communicate with, overflowing with kindness, and
compassion.
no obnoxious people, dreadful bores, or self-absorbed whiners
•no marriage or family
God designed marriage and family to develop and experience maximum intimacy and
nurture within the confines of cosmic physics and dimensions
ultimate oneness with people and God is described in the new creation as a marriage
feast (rev. 19.7-9)
•all of us will be family
marriage, family, and relationships as we know it will be replaced by something so
much more intimate, pure, and wonderful [even greater than sexual intimacy].
never again will space, time, physics, of the effects of sin keep any of us apart.
designed for us, for His glory
how deep the love!
•a few glimpses and clues that God has left for the new creation are amazing!
•How much the Creator has invested and will continue to invest for humanity's sake is
astounding beyond all comprehension.
“how shall we escape if we ignore
such a great salvation?” heb. 2.3
the Яebellion
have you ever given the new creation attention?
how often are you groaning in hope for the new creation, the
redemption of this universe and our bodies?
Яe•bel against the here and now!