THE NEW CREATIONROM. 8.18-25

• We cannot imagine what is going to come next– He has 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

beyond imagination

• Stretch your mind and strain your eyes to build a sustaining hope– HOPE is the theme to 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. ROM. 8.20-21– We wait eagerly for the redemption of our bodies, we groan inwardly for the

hope that we were saved by. ROM. 8.23-24– The new creation is unique—hope that is seen is not hope ROM. 8.24-25

beyond imagination

• Heaven and hell are physical not just spiritual– Resurrection of believers 1 COR. 15– Resurrection of unbelievers DAN. 12.2; REV. 20

• Heaven and hell continue to exist after this creation– The Bible clarifies that 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

where is heaven and hell?

• No death or decay– “The 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.– cf. “The creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay”

(ROM. 8.21)– cf. “The redemption of [their] bodies” (ROM. 8.23)

different physics

• New Jerusalem (REV. 21.10-27)– The measurements used by the angel’s rod is given in cubits (17.5 in.)

• The walls are 216 ft. 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, spatial dimensionality

different physics

• Gravity– Gravity turns all massive bodies larger than 300 miles (500 km) in diameter

into spherical shapes• New Jerusalem is 1,380 miles!

• Electromagnetism– 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)

different physics

• All 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 physics

• different dimension– A resemblance of his oneness (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 geometric instead of linear (there will be time)– 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!

oneness with people & God

• 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 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 ways angels cannot

prepared by grace

• Beatification (1 COR. 13.12)– We will be filled and surrounded by God’s goodness– We will be taught by God (JN. 6.45)– No marriage or family

• 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, and the effects of sin keep any of us apart.

relationship pleasures

• 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.– Have you ever given the new creation attention?– How often are you groaning in the hope for the new creation, the redemption

of this universe and our bodies?

designed for us, for his glory

How shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? (HEB. 2.3)