Final chapter (57) of Wayne Grudems systematic theology!

The New Heavens and the New Earth

*Just a reminder that this study of Wayne Grudem's book, Systematic Theology, is not by any means me teaching, but rather a simple summary chapter by chapter of his book for my own enrichment.*

After the final judgement, we will enter a kingdom where we will be together with God and the lamb, a new heavesn and new earth.

Some aspects of this kingdom:

·        The former things shall not be remembered (Isaiah 65)

·        A place in which righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3)

·        God will dwell with men. (Rev 21)

·        We shall eat and drink, there is a street of the city and a river, and a tree of life.  (symbolic or literal?) 

·        God’s infite greatness means we have a lot to find out! (So learning, discovering things, doing things are probably an amazing aspect if it all!)

·        Although the thought of time might be different, scripture speaks of an unending succession of moments.

Heaven is a place, not just a state of mind.  “I will go and prepare a place for you and will return and take you to myself, that where I am you may also be.” (John 14)

The day of the Lord will come like a thief and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise and the elements will be dissolved with fire and the earth and all the works that are upon it will be burned up. (1 Peter 3)

Protestants disagree whether the earth will be destroyed completely and replaced or just changed and renewed.

Our resurrection bodies will be part of the renewed creation.

Imagine, a place and activities for our resurerection bodies which will never grow old or become weak or ill.

When we think about the eternal aspect of heaven and compare it to our short life on earth, we should be motivated as Christians to store up treasures in heaven!

Scripture consistently portrays this new creation as a place of great beauty and joy.

More important than all these descriptions, it’s beauty, fellowship with believers, etc., we will be in the presence of God and enjoying unhindered fellowship with him!

Psalm 16:11, In your presence there is fullness of joy, at your right hand are pleasures for evermore.

One thing I have asked of the Lord, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. Psalm 27.