Second New Earth!
"Nevertheless we, according to His promise,
look for new heavens and a new earth in
which righteousness dwells."
2 Peter 3: 13
The new heavens and new earth that are coming as the
backdrop for eternity with God are, in fact, the second
instance of a new heaven and new earth.
The first, of course, is described in Genesis 1, the original
creation of the heavens and earth. That was the setting in
which mankind was given his preeminent commission
from God to be stewards of the earth.
Looking at earth today, however, reveals failure on the part
of mankind to carry out that stewardship commission. When
we compare what had been a pure and undefiled creation in
the beginning with the condition of planet earth today, our
anticipation of heaven only grows stronger.
Will we despoil the new earth in the same way we have
the original earth? No, since there will be no sin to divert
mankind from God’s eternal purposes.
When we marvel at the glory of God’s creation now, we will
marvel even more when we set our eyes upon a creation
that reflects an undefiled glory to the Creator.
"If created things are seen and handled as gifts of God
and as mirrors of His glory, they need not be occasions
of idolatry—if our delight in them is always also delight
in their maker."
John Piper
