The Story, Scene 8: Eternity
Posted on 08. Aug, 2011 by Josh Agerton in Formation
Although it’s the final scene of the story – it is one that never ends. If you missed this last message of our series at Cornerstone Church, The Story, you’ll want to go and hear it on our podcast.
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
In the end, Jesus will return again and make all things new. And in the new world there will be no more sin, tears, pain, sorrow or death. All that was broken when sin entered the world will not be merely repaired, but replaced. As followers of Jesus in this life we experience freedom from the penalty of sin. In the world to come, we will experience salvation from the very presence of sin.
So now once again humanity is face to face with God, just as it all began in the garden. We have been fully redeemed back into the fullness of relationship with God. Our natural response will be to join the creatures around the throne of God who day and night never stop saying…”Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”
To go a little further…
God’s Love Endures Forever – Psalm 136
Prediction of Eternity: Isaiah 65:17-25
Inheriting Eternal Life – Mark 10:17-31
Triumph Over Death – 1 Corinthians 15:35-58
Our Future Hope – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
The New Heaven and Earth – Revelation 21-22
