Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine

by Wayne Grudem

(4) the fact that the continuing presence of evil creatures in God’s universe will eternally mar the perfection of a universe th...

He also responds to this objection by suggesting that unbelievers in hell may go on sinning, receiving punishment for their sin, and never repenting, and notes that Revelation 22:11 points in this direction: “Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy.”16

The New Heavens and New Earth What is heaven? Is it a place? How will the earth be renewed? What will it be like to live in the new heavens and new earth?

WE WILL LIVE ETERNALLY WITH GOD IN NEW HEAVENS AND A NEW EARTH

After the final judgment, believers will enter into the full enjoyment of life in the presence of God forever.

What Is Heaven? During this present age, the place where God dwells is frequently called “heaven” in Scripture.

heaven may be defined as follows: heaven is the place where God most fully makes known his presence to bless.

God is present everywhere1

The greatest manifestation of God’s presence to bless is seen in heaven, where he makes his glory known, and where angels, other heavenly creatur...

Heaven Is a Place, Not Just a State of Mind

‘Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God’ ” (Acts 7:55–56). He did not see mere symbols of a state of existence. It seems rather that his eyes were opened to see a spiritual dimension of reality that God has hidden from us in this present age, a dimension that nonetheless really does exist in our space/time universe,

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more”

Our Resurrection Bodies Will Be Part of the Renewed Creation

In the new heavens and new earth, there will be a place and activities for our resurrection bodies, which will never grow old or become weak or ill.

We shall eat and drink at “the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Rev. 19:9). Jesus will once again drink wine with his disciples in the heavenly kingdom (Luke 22:18).7 The “river of the water of life” will flow “from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city” (Rev. 22:1). The tree of life will bear “twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month” (Rev. 22:2).

it will seem very likely that we will work at a remarkably wide range of investigation and development of the creation by technological, creative, and inventive means, thus exhibiting more of our excellent creation in the image of God, and thus discovering and enjoying more of the excellence of the creation over which God has given us dominion, and which he wants us to enjoy, with thanksgiving to him, forever.

The New Creation Will Not Be “Timeless” but Will Include an Unending Succession of Moments

THE DOCTRINE OF THE NEW CREATION PROVIDES A GREAT MOTIVATION FOR STORING UP TREASURES IN HEAVEN RATHER THAN ON EARTH

(2 Peter 3:11–13)

(Matt. 6:19–21)

THE NEW CREATION WILL BE A PLACE OF GREAT BEAUTY AND ABUNDANCE AND JOY IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD

Revelation 21 and 22,

is a city of immense size, whether the measurements be understood as literal or symbolic. Its length measures “12,000 stadia” (21:16), or about 1,400 miles (2,250 kilometers), and “its length and breadth and height are equal”

It will be free from all evil, for “nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (21:27).

In that city we shall also have positions of rule over God’s entire creation, for “they will reign forever and ever” (22:5).

“And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb” (21:23).

“Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master” (Matt. 25:21).