The creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. Romans 8:21 (NIV)
This planet will not be replaced; it will be renewed. God’s plan for your eternal future is “heaven on earth”—a resurrection body, a new heaven and a new earth, and all the joys of life—more, not less.
Many Christians have the idea that we will spend eternity floating around in heaven. But it has to be better than that. Here’s why: Before Satan brought his rebellion to the human race and messed up the planet, Adam and Eve enjoyed a perfect life in this world. They were able to see God, and they walked with him “in the garden in the cool of the day” (Gen. 3:8).
If Satan is to be comprehensively defeated, God must make everything at least as good as it was before Satan’s rebellion. If the joys of eternity were 1% less than the joys of life in the Garden of Eden, Satan would have accomplished something in his rebellion against God.
But God knew what he was doing when he created a world in which people would rebel and find themselves hopelessly lost. God knew what he was doing when he sent his Son to the cross. God knew what he was doing when he justified us, sanctified us, and adopted us in Christ.
God knew that a redeemed creation would reflect his glory infinitely more than an innocent one ever could. God’s redeemed children will be singing “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain” (Rev. 5:12). And Satan’s hell will be to know that everything he did accomplished exactly the opposite of what he intended.
Can you begin to imagine what a “redeemed” creation will be like?
