In part one of this short series we discussed our disposition after we die. Our first destination after death is succinctly stated in the book of Acclimatizes ? The body decomposes and returns to its dust. But the spirit part of us goes to what is termed heaven. There is by this process, a separation of body and spirit. But for those who have been begotten by the Holy Spirit which is received when a person repents and surrenders to God, the body remains in decomposition, but their spirit is saved in heaven and perfected for eternity (Job 32:8; Ecclesiastes 12:7; Hebrews 12:23).
But what of the body? Is it to remain in the dust of the earth, or wherever it has decomposed, because as the scripture declares, it is temporary. The book of Ecclesiastes carries the theme throughout of the futility and temporariness of earthly existence (Ecclesiastes 3:20), but also offers hope for those who change their direction before it is too late. But is the spirit to remain in heaven, although evidently perfected forever? The Apostle Paul expressed the certainty that we will “ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). In the same verse, he affirms that those who are alive when Christ returns would meet the Lord in the air, after the dead first rise and meet Him. But the saints who have died before His return, Paul states that Christ will “bring with Him”. Could this mean the spirits that have been in heaven are to be brought with Him, and united with a resurrected and immortal body?. The question then arises as to where then will the Lord be? Wherever He will be, we will ever be with Him.
There are many hints from the Old Testament, but we will not attempt to address all of them in this article. At this point, we need to reference to what the Bible calls “the day of the Lord”. When Christ returns, He will cut short what would otherwise be the total destruction of mankind, change the living and the dead who are in Christ to immortality. There will follow a thousand years of Christ and the now immortal saints ruling the earth. God’s chosen nation Israel will be prominent once again. The book of Malachi speaks of all the nations coming to Jerusalem each year to keep the Feast of Tabernacles, and punishment on those who refuse. All the changed and resurrected saints will be involved in some capacity, Israelite and Gentile. Much of what transpires regarding this time is still shrouded in mystery, and very much subject to speculation. As the Apostle Paul observed, we can now only “see through a glass darkly” (1 Corinthians 13:12).
Eventually, after the one thousand years of the rule of God through Christ and all the saints (Revelation 20), other cataclysmic events are revealed in the Book of Revelation. The dead are judged, Satan is permanently removed from the scene, never to influence the world again. Then there is a grand finale to all that has occurred on earth. Perhaps the greatest event in all eternity. For some, it is unthinkable. Our destiny in the heart of God, has always been that He would live with us. This is foreshadowed in the sending of Christ to us, to live with us, in His first coming. Then, Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to not only live with us, but to live in us. These are a foretaste of what was planned in the heart of God from eternity:
“THEN I saw a new sky (heaven) and a new earth, for the former sky and the former earth had passed away (vanished), and there no longer existed any sea. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, all arrayed like a bride beautified and adorned for her husband; Then I heard a mighty voice from the throne and I perceived its distinct words, saying, See! The abode of God is with men, and He will live (encamp, tent) among them; and they shall be His people, and God shall personally be with them and be their God.” - Revelation 21:1-3 (AmpBible)
What is a top priority for Him among us?:
“God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more, neither shall there be anguish (sorrow and mourning) nor grief nor pain any more, for the old conditions and the former order of things have passed away.”- Verse 4
Next, a Devine re-creation project :
“And He Who is seated on the throne said, See! I make all things new. Also He said, Record this, for these sayings are faithful (accurate, incorruptible, and trustworthy) and true (genuine). And He [further] said to me, It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I [Myself] will give water without price from the fountain (springs) of the water of Life.” - Verses 5-6.
In the following verses, the church - hopefully you and me - and all of the faithful in the past and future, are described as the bride of the Lamb (Christ), now purified, made perfect, and now immortal, and ready to attend the marriage supper of the Lamb. There follows a description of the Holy City, mentioned in the first few verses. Chapter 21 closes with the description of the city in which we will live for eternity.
So, the wonderful, and almost believable truth - our final destination?
Heaven is coming to earth!
God is coming to live with us.
This has been His plan for the earth from eternity (Psalm 119:90). Surrender your life to the Maker of all things. If you have, or if you will, you will have the joint inheritance of all the earth (Matthew 5:5).
I hope and pray you will have a home here...
“I’ll meet you in the morning…
Just inside the eastern gate” - (Old Hymn)
“Since all these things are thus in the process of being dissolved, what kind of person ought [each of] you to be [in the meanwhile] in consecrated and holy behavior and devout and godly qualities, While you wait and earnestly long for (expect and hasten) the coming of the day of God by reason of which the flaming heavens will be dissolved, and the [material] elements [of the universe] will flare and melt with fire? But we look for new heavens and a new earth according to His promise, in which righteousness (uprightness, freedom from sin, and right standing with God) is to abide.” - 2 Peter 3:11-13 (AmpBible)