This week, Pastor Ted Wilson concludes the video series on the 28 fundamental beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. As such, in this video, he talks about the new earth, the subject of our twenty-eighth fundamental belief.
In the previous episode, we talked about the millennium and the end of sin, particularly about how sin and sinners will be destroyed and how the earth will be cleansed.
Speaking of that, the Apostle John saw the New Jerusalem come down and settle on earth, saying, "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.' And He who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new'" (Revelation 21:3-5).
What a beautiful place! Imagine what it will be like when the whole earth will be restored back to its perfect and sinless state.
The Seventh-day Adventist Fundamental Belief #28 describes it this way: "On the new earth, in which righteousness dwells, God will provide an eternal home for the redeemed and a perfect environment for everlasting life, love, joy, and learning in His presence. For here, God Himself will dwell with His people, and suffering and death will have passed away. The great controversy will be ended and sin will be no more. All things, animate and inanimate, will declare that God is love; and He shall reign forever."
On the new earth, we will have eternity to learn, discover new things, grow, and spend time with the heroes of the Bible, including Jesus Himself, of course. Here, there will be no more pain, suffering, sorrow, hatred, death, and other consequences of sin. There will only be peace, joy, happiness, love, and all good things.
Aside from that, "all the treasures of the universe will be open to the study of God's redeemed. Unfettered by mortality, they wing their tireless flight to worlds afar—worlds that thrilled with sorrow at the spectacle of human woe and rang with songs of gladness at the tidings of a ransomed soul. With unutterable delight, the children of earth enter into the joy and the wisdom of unfallen beings. They share the treasures of knowledge and understanding gained through ages upon ages in contemplation of God's handiwork. With undimmed vision, they gaze upon the glory of creation—suns and stars and systems, all in their appointed order circling the throne of Deity. Upon all things, from the least to the greatest, the Creator's name is written, and in all are the riches of His power displayed" (Ellen White, The Great Controversy, page 677).
On page 678, she continues, "And the years of eternity, as they roll, will bring richer and still more glorious revelations of God and of Christ. As knowledge is progressive, so will love, reverence, and happiness increase. The more men learn of God, the greater will be their admiration of His character. As Jesus opens before them the riches of redemption and the amazing achievements in the great controversy with Satan, the hearts of the ransomed thrill with more fervent devotion, and with more rapturous joy they sweep the harps of gold; and ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of voices unite to swell the mighty chorus of praise."
Do you want to be part of that mighty chorus of praise? God longs to give each of us the gift of salvation and eternity. Have you given your heart and recommitted your life to Him? He is inviting you now.
To learn more about what the Bible says about the new earth, visit www.adventist.org/the-new-earth/.