Weekly Devotionals – May 11 -15

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Monday: Why Did God Create Earth?

John slid into the booth just as Pastor and Chuck were getting settled. Chuck had already ordered sweet tea and was ready to talk. He said he appreciated them taking the time because Sunday’s message had stayed on his mind. He explained that he had always believed we leave this earth, God destroys it, and we live somewhere in heaven with streets of gold, a perfect environment, enjoying Heaven and worshiping God. That was how he had always pictured eternity. But after hearing the sermon, he realized he had questions about earth in the future and what Heaven is like. The pastor smiled as he began to explain many people share that view of eternity because they do not understand what the Bible actually says about eternity.  A few key verses are read about the images of heaven but that is not the whole picture. Also there are some verses that seem to describe the earth being destroyed until we understand what they are actually saying.  Then John Christian spoke up and said, “Chuck I was fascinated when I learned the earth is our home in eternity. It starts by understanding why God created the earth start with. Pastor explained that God created a earth to be a place to showcase His glory, be filled with His image bearers and where He would dwell with man. – Let’s talk about it:

What Scripture Says:

Genesis 1:26–28 shows that God created man in His image and commanded him to fill the earth and have dominion over it. The earth was meant to be filled with people reflecting God’s character and living under His authority. Genesis 2:15 shows that God placed Adam in the garden to dress it and keep it. Work existed before sin, and it will exist in eternity. Genesis 3:8 shows that God walked with Adam in the garden. His plan was to dwell with man on the earth and share life with him here.

Chuck sat quietly for a moment as he processed this information. He finally admitted that he had always thought of the earth as temporary, but it makes sense that the earth was meant to be permanent. Pastor explained that God did not need the earth to create mankind. He could have created us in heaven, but He chose to create a place where His chose to create earth as our home. John added that this changes how we understand the Bible; earth is the home God created for us. Pastor said “Chuck, if Adam never sinned would we have every had reason to believe the earth was temporary?”  What do you mean?” Chuck asked; and the pastor said let me explain. – (Join us tomorrow to see what pastor told Chuck)



Tuesday:

Yesterday we listened in as Chuck asked Pastor and John questions about the future of earth in eternity. We closed with Pastor asking Chuck – “If Adam never sinned, would we every think of earth as a temporary place?” Chuck was unsure. Today we learn what Pastor said:  “Chuck, according to Gen 2:9, God planted two special trees in the Garden of Eden. The tree of life, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. What was the tree of life for?” Chuck, said “I always understood that the tree of life would keep Adam living forever.”  “Well done” pastor said. “And where would Adam have lived forever?” Chuck thought for a moment then smiled. “I see what you are saying. If Adam had not sinned, He may have lived here in the Garden forever.” John smiled and said “Yep, that question got to me a few years back and helped me realize the only reason we think of earth as temporary and Heaven as our eternal home, is because Adam sinned.” Pastor said, God originally intended to keep dwelling with mankind here on earth. And we would have kept living here, filling the earth with His image, and the creation would showcase God’s glory. But when Adam sinned it affected everything, not only mankind but creation itself. In Gen 3:22, God removed the tree of life to protect Adam. We are not told all the reasons why, but God will let us know one day. But let’s consider what we know so far. God originally designed man to live forever on earth, and God planned to dwell with Him here. (Join tomorrow for more of the conversation).

What Scripture Says:

Genesis 2:9 – And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 3:22 – And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

Genesis 1:31 – And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Everything God made was “very good.” God was pleased with all He had made, and earth was meant to live here imaging God, and dwelling with God. 

Wednesday:

So far this week we heard John Christian talk with Pastor and Chuck about the Sunday sermon. Chuck had questions about the future of earth and where we live in eternity. Pastor has explained that God originally intended to dwell with mankind on earth.

Now Chuck has another question.  “Pastor, I see what you are saying about God’s original intention, but did that change after the fall?”  Pastor said, No! God’s plan never changed. We know that mankind was harmed by sin, but so was the earth. The Bible says in Romans 8:22 that the whole creation groans and travails under the curse. So when Jesus came to save mankind from the curse and power of sin, He also saves creation.  When Jesus returns, we know God renews our bodies and restores us to the perfect image of God that He intended at creation. But, did you know He will also renew and restore creation as well. And creation will once again be what God intended? “I did not know that” Chuck said. “Well I kinda did, but it has been unclear.” John spoke up and said “Chuck, in Romans 8:19-25, we learn the entire creation is longing for the day it will be freed from the curse. And Colossians 1:19-20 teach that Jesus will reconcile all things unto Himself. This means earth as well”  Pastor said, “Chuck, when Jesus returns, not only do we receive our glorified bodies, but earth is renewed as well.” Chuck said “I kinda knew that but I still thought God destroys earth and we leave for Heaven, you know streets of gold, pearly gates, a crystal sea, etc. Are you saying we don’t live in Heaven?” Pastor said, “Chuck, we will experience everything you described, but the earth plays a bigger role than many Christians understand. (Join us tomorrow for more)

What Scripture Says:

Romans 8:19-22 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Colossians 1:19-20 – For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 

Thursday:

This week we are watching John Christian help his friend from church “Chuck” talk to the pastor about the Sunday sermon and what role earth has in eternity. Today they talk about 2 Peter 3:10? Does God destroy the earth with fire?

Chuck turned to the pastor and said “Pastor what about the verse that says God burns the earth up. I always thought that was the end of it – poof, earth gone!”  Pastor laughed with him, then said: “You are talking about 2 Peter 3:10 that is talking about the day of the LORD and it says “…the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” But that verse does not mean what you think it means.” Chuck squinted and said sound straightforward – the earth is burned up, gone, no more.”  Pastor said, “that is because we read the words burned up and think that means destroyed. But the original Greek word for this does not mean it was annihilated; but it can mean it was laid bare in judgment. When we read the Bible context is important. So in the same chapter, Peter speaks of the flood in the O.T.  where God “destroyed” the world with a flood to purify the world from the sinners who lived here. The earth was both destroyed and continued. God wiped the earth clean sort of speak, and started over with Noah. Well, Peter is saying this time God purges the earth with fire. Wipes the sinners and the curse of sin from earth with a fire. And in the O.T. fire often is used as a figure of God’s purification. Malachi 3:2-3 talks of God as a refiners fire. So when you take Peters illustration of the flood and the wording for burned up together we understand God is not annihilating earth with a fire, He is purifying it. And then we learn about the new Heaven and New earth. They are not new as in they did not exist before, they are new in that they are renewed. Peter even speaks in the same chapter as the earth being renewed in righteousness.

What Scripture Says:

2 Peter 3:10 – But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

2 Peter 3:11-13 – Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 

Friday:

This week, we have learned that the earth is our eternal home. But what about our home in Heaven?

Finally, Chuck said, “But pastor, what about Heaven?” John smiled and leaned back as he listened to Pastor explain to Chuck – Heaven is part of our eternal home along with earth. Remember the New Jerusalem? That will serve as the capital city. Notice what the Bible says about it:

First, the New Jerusalem is the city we often think of as Heaven. This is the place Jesus went to prepare for us. The city has a street of gold, gates made of a single pearl, a river so clear it is like crystal, and the tree of life once again appears in this city. (Read Revelations 21-22).

Second, the apostle John saw this city coming “DOWN” from God OUT of Heaven. This new Jerusalem comes down to the new earth. It comes from God. Apparently hovers over the new earth and serves as the capital of the universe.

Third, Rev 21:22-27 speaks of the kings of the earth bringing their glory into it, the nations walk in the glory of it. In other words, we live on earth and visit the New Jerusalem, likely when we gather to worship God. (Read Isaiah 66:17-25).

Fourth, the New Jerusalem is where God dwells with us on earth. Just as God came to the Garden and dwelled with Adam, and God instructed Moses to build the tabernacle so He could dwell with Israel on earth. Now in the New Jerusalem God dwells with mankind (Read Revelation 21:1-3).

John smiled at Chuck and said: “Guess what we will still work in eternity?” Chuck looked interested as John said “Isaiah 65:17-25 describes us as building houses and dwelling in them, planting vineyards and eating from them, etc.

Pastor Said: “Chuck, you see the idea is God originally created this earth to showcase His glory, be where mankind would rule and have dominion over creation under God’s authority; He designed it to be filled with His image in the form of Humans; and where He dwells with us. Sin interrupted it, but God will one day fulfill everything He originally intended. That is the eternity and the Heaven the Bible describes

Look up the scripture reference to read them: What questions do you have about eternity and Heaven? How has this week changed how you view Heaven and earth and eternity?