The Bible Storyline – Lesson 4 – May 10, 2026

Click The Title To Download The Notes

The goal of this series is to show us how to read the Bible the way God intended — as one connected storyline. We’ve learned that the stories in the Bible are not primarily life lessons for us. They are showing us God’s unstoppable plan to defeat evil, restore creation, and establish His Kingdom on earth. When we understand that plan, we see where we fit in the story and we learn to read each story as God overcoming every attempt of Satan to stop His plan.

In the previous sermon, we learned who Satan is? Why he hates us? What he wants to do with us and our family? and What we can do against him.

In this sermon we take a look at the Earth as the stage where much of the Bible’s Storyline unfolds.

Is The Earth Temporary?

There are two main views about the Earth’s future in God’s Storyline:

Destruction and Replacement View

This view teaches that God will completely destroy the current earth and create a brand new earth from nothing. The earth we live on now is temporary and will be burned up and replaced. Believers will live forever in a spiritual heaven or on a completely new earth that has no connection to the one we know now. This view understands the earth as being limited in purpose and value because it is irrelevant in the future.

Renewal and Transformation View

This view teaches that God will renew the earth we live on now. When Jesus rose from the dead, He had the same body — but it was made perfect. His body was not replaced; it was transformed. In the same way, God will not destroy the earth and make a different one. He will purify this earth, remove the curse, and make it new. The earth will be healed and restored to what God created it to be in the beginning. This view makes the earth relevant now and in the future.This sermon will argue for the Renewal and Transformation View. We will look at the earth in three stages:

Before the Fall During the curse After Restoration

When we see all three, the Renewal view becomes clear. This will determine the answer to our question – Is the Earth Temporary? The answer is NO, God will renew the earth and it will continue serving as a place where we occupy in eternity.

Before the Fall – Earth’s Purpose

Why did God create the earth? What was its purpose?
It is not uncommon for people to ask “Why did God create us?”
Already in this series, we answered that question – God decided to create us to share the love and fellowship He shares with the Trinity (refer to sermon/lesson #1 – April 19, 2026). In addition, God created us to image Him and reflect His character. A less common question is – Why did God create the earth?

Someone will respond by saying – if God did not create the earth, where would man live?
This response sounds reasonable at first, but we must remember: If God only wanted to create mankind to share His love and fellowship that He shares with the Trinity, and for us to image Him, He could have just created us to live in Heaven.

Now that we know the earth was not necessary for our existence, we conclude that God chose to create a place for us to live outside of Heaven where the Bible Storyline would unfold. Earth obviously has a purpose that goes beyond human existence.
So let’s consider the Earth’s Purpose:

The Earth Showcases God’s Glory

Mankind was made in God’s image and commanded to fill the earth with image bearers of God. But creation itself also reflects God’s glory. Consider these Bible verses:
Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Isaiah 6:3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

The Earth Serves As A Place For God To Dwell With Mankind

God’s ultimate purpose for the earth is for it to be the place where He dwells with His people. This was the plan from the start:

Genesis 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.
— God walked with Adam and Eve in the garden. He was present with them on earth.

Exodus 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
— God commanded Israel to build a tabernacle so He could dwell among them.

The Earth Was Designed To Be Filled With God’s Image Bearers

From the very beginning God’s plan was to fill the earth with people who reflect His character. This command was given twice:
Genesis 1:27-28 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.
Genesis 9:1 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.
— After the flood, God repeated this command. Filling the earth with His image bearers remains His plan.

The Earth Is The Stage Where God’s Image Bearers Rule Under His Authority

Mankind was not created to passively exist. We were given the responsibility to rule over creation under God’s authority:

Genesis 1:26-27 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Genesis 2:15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
— Adam was given meaningful work. He was to tend the garden and exercise dominion over creation. This was not a burden but a privilege — reflecting God’s rule.

Earth Was Designed To Be Permanent

The evidence from creation week shows that God designed the earth to last forever:
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.
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.
— The tree of life was placed in the garden. If Adam had eaten from it he would have lived forever on the earth. God did not create the earth as a temporary holding place. He created it to be mankind’s permanent home where they would live forever in fellowship with Him.

After the Fall – The Earth Under the Curse

When Adam sinned the curse did not just affect mankind. It affected all of creation. The earth itself became subject to futility and decay:

The Curse Affected All Creation

Genesis 3:17-19 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground.
— The ground was cursed. The earth itself became broken.
Romans 8:21-22 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
— All creation is groaning under the weight of the curse. It is waiting to be set free.

Jesus’ Redemption Includes the Earth

When Jesus came to redeem mankind He did not leave creation behind. His redemption extends to all things including the earth:

Colossians 1:20 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.
— Jesus reconciles ALL THINGS. Not just people. All things in earth and in heaven.
Acts 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
— Jesus will remain in heaven until the time of RESTORATION of all things. God is not replacing creation. He is restoring it.
Revelation 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.
— God does not say “I make all NEW things.” He says “I make all things NEW.” The emphasis is on renewal not replacement.

After Restoration – Earth’s Purpose Fulfilled

When we understand that God will restore the earth rather than destroy it everything about our future becomes clearer. The Bible describes what will happen to the earth and what life will be like when God’s purpose for it is finally fulfilled:

What Will Happen to the Earth?

The New Testament uses the Greek word kainos to describe the new earth. This word means renewed or made new — not neos which means brand new or never existed before. God will renew the earth we live on now:
2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
— The word for “new” here is kainos. Peter is describing a renewed earth not a replacement earth.
Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away.
— Again the word is kainos. The first earth passes away in the sense that it is transformed and made new — not destroyed and replaced.

What About Heaven, Streets of Gold, and Mansions?

Many people assume eternity will be spent in heaven. But the Bible teaches something different:
John 14:2-3 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
— Jesus is preparing a place for believers. But notice He says He will come AGAIN. He is not taking us to heaven forever. He is coming back to earth.
Revelation 21:2-3 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
— The New Jerusalem does not stay in heaven. It comes DOWN from heaven to the new earth. God will dwell WITH men on the earth. Heaven and earth will be united.

What About the Fire in 2 Peter?

Some point to 2 Peter 3:10 as proof that the earth will be destroyed:
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.
— But this fire is not about destruction. It is about purification. Just as gold is refined by fire the earth will be purified by fire. The curse will be burned away but the earth itself will remain — renewed and made perfect.

The Flood Shows God’s Pattern

Peter uses the flood as an example of how God will deal with the earth:
Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
— The earth was completely corrupted by sin. God could have destroyed it completely and started over. But He did not.
Genesis 8:22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
— After the flood God renewed the earth. He cleansed it with water but the earth itself remained. The same earth that existed before the flood continued after the flood — purified and renewed. This is the pattern God will follow with fire. The earth will be purified but it will remain.

Life on the Renewed Earth

What will life be like on the renewed earth? The Bible gives us specific details:
Revelation 21:3-4 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
— God will dwell with us on the earth. Death, sorrow, crying, and pain will be gone forever.
Revelation 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him.
— The curse will be removed. We will serve God with meaningful work — imaging Him perfectly.
Isaiah 65:21-22,25 And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.
— We will build houses, plant vineyards, eat, work, and enjoy the fruit of our labor. Even the animal kingdom will be restored to peace. This is not a spiritual existence in heaven. This is physical life on a renewed earth.

Earth Will Fulfill Its Original Purpose

What God created in the beginning shows us what He is restoring at the end:
God’s Glory Displayed The earth will perfectly reflect God’s glory without the curse obscuring it.
God Dwelling With Mankind God will live with us on the earth in perfect unbroken fellowship forever.
Filled With Image Bearers The earth will be filled with people who perfectly image God in character and holiness.
Mankind Ruling We will rule over creation under God’s authority with meaningful work and purpose.
Eternal Life on Earth We will live forever on the renewed earth in glorified bodies free from sin and death.

God’s Promise

The earth is not temporary. It is the stage where God’s eternal purposes will be fulfilled. What He created in the beginning He will restore at the end. And we will live forever on a renewed earth where we:
• Image God perfectly in character and holiness
• Dwell with Him in unbroken fellowship
• Rule over creation under His authority
• Work and rest without the curse
• Live forever on the earth He created for us
This is God’s promise. And His promises never fail.