This session looks at how God promises to transform all of creation in the new heavens and new earth through the resurrection of Christ. As citizens of this promise, Christians are called to live as a sign, a holy foretaste of this final act of redemption.
The Resurrection—The resurrection is
God’s vindication of Jesus and an unexpected fulfillment of Israel’s hopes.
Jesus’ Resurrected Body—Jesus’
resurrected body affirms the goodness of physical creation, acts as a sign of
the new heavens and the new earth, and challenges misconceptions we may have
about heaven.
New Heavens and New Earth— The
resurrection points to the promise of cosmic shalom—the complete transformation
and renewal of creation.
Citizens of Heaven—As citizens of
heaven, we are to faithfully live out the story of Scripture as a sign and
foretaste of this final restoration.
Sample discussion questions
Where have you experienced a sense of hopelessness when seeing the brokenness of the world around us?
What are common cultural pictures of heaven? How do these pictures compare with Christ’s resurrection and the promise of our own resurrection?
How does the promise of the new heavens and the new earth make a difference today? How might it make a difference for what we do now?
Featuring
Hans Boersma
Research Professor of Theology
Regent College
Vincent Kong
Sustainability Manager
Hong Kong
Mariam J. Kovalishyn
Associate Professor in New Testament Studies
Regent College
J.I. Packer
Board of Governors' Professor, Theology
Regent College
Rikk Watts
Research Professor of New Testament
Regent College