The Fruit Of New Heavens And A New Earth
How have we forgotten our identity and mission?
The Lord told Moses to send twelve spies to see the land of Canaan. When they returned, they carried grapes, pomegranates and figs for them to know the quality of the land. ‘And they told him, “We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.’ Numbers 13:27
The point that I want you to observe is that these men tasted and got the evidence of the land flowing with milk and honey, which the Lord had promised them to give.
Isn’t it good to know that God wants his people to see the quality of the land they are about to possess? Unfortunately, ten of the spies discouraged the people, but Joshua hopefully said, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. ‘ Numbers 14:7–8
Today, does the body of Christ have something to show of the eternal reality we received in Christ? Paul describes our present spiritual privilege in Christ, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,” Ephesians 1:3
He repeatedly writes affirming that God has given us the privilege of being a new creation in Christ. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
“For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.” Galatians 6:15
“and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:23–24
“and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” Colossians 3:10
Prophet Isaiah writes at length about the future glorious promise to Israel. One of the passages is “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness.” Isaiah 65:17–18.
Why did Isaiah refer to Jerusalem with new heavens and a new earth? It is because the temple where God dwells is in Jerusalem. From the Jewish understanding, it is the place where heaven and earth meet. We can see this relation in John’s beautiful description of the new heavens and a new earth in the last two chapters of Revelation. “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. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Revelation 21:1–2
“And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 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.” Revelation 21:22–23
The new heavens and a new earth is the new temple God is building. Prophet Ezekiel’s new temple prophecy describes the same thing. It is the dwelling place of God. So what is this temple like?
The author of Hebrews writes about the unshakable kingdom we have come to be part of. “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” Hebrews 12:22–24
New Jerusalem doesn’t seem to be the geographic Jerusalem we have today. Jesus clearly announces that He is the new temple, and the old temple will be destroyed. “Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’ “ John 2:19
Paul points out this truth to the Corinthians, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16. In Ephesians again, he clearly explains how we are this temple. “For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:18–22
Isn’t it clear enough that the new heavens and a new earth is about the new Jerusalem that God is creating in Christ? The kingdom of heaven that Christ came to proclaim.
We are born into this kingdom by the Spirit of God as a new creation, in the image of our creator. We are made citizens of this kingdom with the privilege of being the sons and daughters, kings and priests to reign with Christ.
Why are we ignorant of so great a privilege we have in Christ?
Unfortunately, today, the Church has come to believe that the new creation is for the future time. If our life in Christ is merely an intellectual or emotional assertion, how can we show its fruit to the world so that it can taste it? If we do not show the fruits of the new heavens and a new earth in Christ today, how can we see them later?
This kingdom is not of this world, in its strength or glamour. It manifests in righteousness, justice, mercy, humility and love, carrying our cross like our servant king. This is what it means to reflect the new heavens and new earth, not waiting for golden harps.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22–23
When I tell believers that we in Christ are partakers of this new heavens and new earth now, they turn their faces, not on me but on this truth. They are not interested in discussing further; they want Jesus to appear in the sky and take them there and burn this world.
Paul clearly says that when Christ appears, we who are already in him will see ourselves glorified like him. “When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:4. We take part in this reality now, we only cant see it with our mortal eyes.
Our new life in Christ is this new creation the prophets and the apostles are talking about. What is stopping us from understanding this glorious reality in Christ? Is it because we don’t want to read the scripture and find it? Is it because our pastors or popular preachers do not talk about it? If we don’t know that we are the foretaste of heaven on earth, we cannot live it out and share its fruits in this world.
Brothers and Sisters, don’t wait for the ‘second coming’ to see heaven, live by the fruit of heaven here on earth in everything you are and you do. Sow the seeds of righteousness and justice. Build the body of Christ. Remember, you are that heavenly temple from whom the rivers of life flow into the sea and turn it to fresh water, and the trees of life that grow on its bank bear its fruit to bring healing to the nations.
Let’s be like Joshua and Caleb, who can show the world what heaven on earth looks like by sharing its fruit. No matter how dark the world is, the new heavens and new earth are here and growing; you are part of it. Redeem what belongs to Christ.
