The New Earth
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. Revelation 21:1
The fire that consumes the wicked purifies the earth. Every trace of the curse is swept away. No eternally burning hell will keep before the ransomed the fearful consequences of sin.
One reminder alone remains: Our Redeemer will ever bear the marks of His crucifixion. Upon His wounded head, upon His side, His hands and feet, are the only traces of the cruel work that sin has wrought. Says the prophets, beholding Christ in His glory: "He had bright beams coming out of His side: and there was the hiding of His power" (Habakkuk 3:4). That pierced side whence flowed the crimson stream that reconciled man to God--there is the Saviour's glory, there "the hiding of His power." "Mighty to save," through the sacrifice of redemption, He was therefore strong to execute justice upon them that despised God's mercy. And the tokens of His humiliation are His highest honor; through the eternal ages the wounds of Calvary will show forth His praise and declare His power...
All that was lost by sin has been restored. "Thus saith the Lord...that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain, He formed it to be established" (Isiah 45:18). God's original purpose in the creation of the earth is fulfilled as it is made the eternal abode of the redeemed. "The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever" (Psalm 37:29). (The Great Controversy, 674)
Reflection: In the Earth made new will be the new capital of the universe, the New Jerusalem. The tree of life will be there. May each one of us be there!
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. Revelation 21:1
The fire that consumes the wicked purifies the earth. Every trace of the curse is swept away. No eternally burning hell will keep before the ransomed the fearful consequences of sin.
One reminder alone remains: Our Redeemer will ever bear the marks of His crucifixion. Upon His wounded head, upon His side, His hands and feet, are the only traces of the cruel work that sin has wrought. Says the prophets, beholding Christ in His glory: "He had bright beams coming out of His side: and there was the hiding of His power" (Habakkuk 3:4). That pierced side whence flowed the crimson stream that reconciled man to God--there is the Saviour's glory, there "the hiding of His power." "Mighty to save," through the sacrifice of redemption, He was therefore strong to execute justice upon them that despised God's mercy. And the tokens of His humiliation are His highest honor; through the eternal ages the wounds of Calvary will show forth His praise and declare His power...
All that was lost by sin has been restored. "Thus saith the Lord...that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain, He formed it to be established" (Isiah 45:18). God's original purpose in the creation of the earth is fulfilled as it is made the eternal abode of the redeemed. "The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever" (Psalm 37:29). (The Great Controversy, 674)
Reflection: In the Earth made new will be the new capital of the universe, the New Jerusalem. The tree of life will be there. May each one of us be there!
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