Introduction
You are in the distant future after God has created the New Earth and universe to be the new Heaven(Isa. 65:17; Isa. 66:22; 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev: 21:1). Some couldn’t imagine any form of Earth being Heaven, but New Earth is a part of Heaven(Eph. 1:10) with the holy city of New Jerusalem as the capital(Rev. 21:1-2). No earthquakes, storms or natural disasters will ever damage it(Heb 12:28).
Adam led to the fall of humanity while Jesus led to the redemption(Rom. 5:19). In New Heaven there is no pain, death or sorrow(Rev 21:3-4). We have resurrected bodies(Isa. 26:19; Dan. 12:2-3; 1 Cor. 15:12-58; 1 Thess. 4:16-17; Rev. 20:4-6). These resurrected bodies are glorious and distinctly different from the old ones(1 Cor. 15:40). We need them because as our old bodies cannot inhabit New Earth(1 Cor. 15:50). God rewards believers at the resurrection of the righteous(Matt. 6:19-20; Luke 14:14) with incomparable riches(Eph. 2:7) that are reaped in eternity what is sown in life(Gal. 6:7-8). Believers are also be able to make up for opportunities they missed on old Earth(Matt. 5:3-5; Luke 6:20-23; 16:11-12; 19:17). We are holy(Heb. 12:14) and rule New Earth(Dan 7:25-27; Rev. 5:9-10). We are also reunited with loved ones from old Earth(1 Thes. 4:13-14).
Every nation, tribe and language is here(Isa. 60:11; Rev 5:9; Rev. 7:9). There are nations but also peace(Zec. 9:9-10; Matt. 21:5). Even though the people have different languages, we all still have the ability to understand each other.
A Day Full of Fun
A typical day in eternity starts in your home in the city of New Jerusalem. Each person has a specially designed home just for them(Isa. 65:21; John 14:2). Yours is the home you’ve always dreamed of. After resting(Heb 4:1-11; Rev 14:13) you think about everything you’re going to do today.
Outside your home is fruit you planted(Isa. 65:21). It looks ripe, so gather some and the other finest food from God(Isa. 25:6). You and some of your neighbors eat(Matt. 8:11; Luke 14:15; 22:29-30; Rev 19:9) and have a drink(Matt. 26:29; Luke 22:18). Even though you don’t need to eat or drink in your resurrected body, doing so is still a pleasure.
The city is perfect as its architect and builder is God(Heb. 11:10). You take a stroll through it and walk down the street of gold(Rev 21:21). Along the sides you can see the tree of life bearing its fruit for the month(Rev 2:7; 22:2).
The river flowing down the middle of the street is beautiful and clear(Rev 22:1). You jump in and start swimming around. On old Earth, the rivers and pools were cloudy or had chlorine. Here you are still amazed how clear it is underwater. The best part is you can swim in the river without drowning(1 Cor. 15:42-44; Rev. 21:4). You play with several children nearby. The underwater scene is bright as God provides the light(Isa. 60:19-21; Rev 21:23; 22:5).
Later on you leave New Jerusalem out of one of the 12 gates that are always open(Isa 60:11; Rev. 21:24-26) to explore the country. You see a herd of camels(Isa. 60:6) in the distance. You then see sights you never would have seen on old Earth: a leopard lying down with a goat and a cow and a bear eating together. Animals now co-exist peacefully(Isa 11:6-9) and do not prey on one another (Isa. 65:25). You then climb a great mountain(Rev. 21:10) and observe the beautiful landscape.
You come to a city in one of the many nations of New Earth. New Earth doesn’t have any violent seas or barriers that separate the nations(Rev. 21:1). Once you arrive, you find the people created beautiful gifts in honor of God. You bring some of them back to New Jerusalem(Rev. 21:26).
You go back to New Jerusalem and decide that view from the mountain wasn’t enough. You go to the height of the city – 1400 miles into space(Rev. 21:16). The view is even more spectacular.
You now want to go further and decide to explore the new solar system. You don’t need to worry about radiation like astronauts did in the old universe under the curse(Rom 8:19-23). You also don’t have to be concerned about the vacuum of space or bringing your own air as our resurrected bodies are imperishable(1 Cor. 15:42-44). You first visit Venus. In the old solar system, Venus was hot and inhospitable. Now it is a paradise. The other worlds of the solar system used to be too cold to sustain life but each is now a like a version of Eden.
The stars and universe declare God’s glory(Psalm 19:1). Our own galaxy has billions of stars, and the universe has billions of galaxies with billions of stars. You want to explore all of them, but that will take eternity. That’s not a problem as we have eternity to explore; Jesus’ kingdom will never end (Luke 1:32-33; Rev 22:5). The stars will last forever(Psa. 148:3-6).
Saving the Best for Last
On your way back you clearly see New Jerusalem from space. The city shines so brightly it appears as a star before you can see any part of New Earth. It and your trip make you appreciate God’s creation even more.
When you get back you realize how much more you’ll still learn(Eph. 2:6-7; 1 Cor. 13:12). One topic you would like to learn more about is what Jesus did on old Earth. That alone would be last a long time(John 21:25).
You end the day saving the best for last by worshiping God(Rev. 22:3). You see God walking among people(Lev. 26:11-12, 2 Cor. 6:16; Rev 21:3) in New Jerusalem. You can now look at God, who on old Earth lived in unapproachable light(1 Tim. 6:16). On old Earth, if you tried to look at the Lord’s face, you would have died(Exo. 33:19-20) due to God’s pure holiness and our imperfect nature. When you see God’s face(Rev 22:4) you wonder how you ever lived without experiencing it. Every believer’s destiny is to be with the Lord(Dan. 7:18). You cannot think of a better way to spend eternity than to be with God, the maker of all things(Ecc. 11:5; Jer. 10:16; Col. 1:15-16).