A New Heaven

For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. – Isaiah 65:17

There are two questions that non-believers (and some believers) ask to me that are kind of tough to answer. Well, they aren’t that tough to answer, I just know it will be hard for the answer to be received. Nevertheless, I must answer as I feel God would have me answer.

Question 1: If God is so good, why doesn’t He just put a stop to all the evil in the world?

Question 2: How could anyone be happy in Heaven knowing that they have friends and loved ones in Hell?

Question 1 probably deserves its own WMD. Before reading on, formulate your own answer. I have asked this question before. Here is the thing about it; there is a presupposition that the asker is “good.” The Bible says, “There is no one good. “ (Mark 10:18) Most people believe they are good. Jesus says they are the opposite. Here is a great counter question: “How good are you? Give a percentage from 1 to 100.” I have never heard someone say they are 100% good. Even if someone gave himself or herself a 95% good, just how bad is the 5%? Here is the deal: There is evil in the world, and you and I are the problem . . . not the solution!

Let’s put it this way; if my heart and mind from the last month could be turned into a YouTube video for all to watch, I would be humiliated and embarrassed at what you guys would see has passed through my mind. Every single day, I need the Word of God, prayer, and the Holy Spirit. I die daily and choose to live for Him. What would it look like if everyone on the planet chose to do the same?   A lot different than it looks now.

Question 2 is extremely difficult to comprehend while we continue our sojourn here on Earth. We memorialize our loved ones the best we can. We try to never forget. We remember anniversaries, visit gravesites, and honor our lost loved ones. However, one day God will create new heavens. This means entire solar systems and the entire universe will get a makeover. We will have eternity to explore all of God’s new creations. “Eyes have not seen, ears have not heard, it hasn’t even entered into the hearts of man the things that the Father has prepared for those that love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9) There will even be a brand new Earth. Isaiah says that the former one, the one we live on right now, will not even be remembered.   It won’t even enter our minds…including our lost loved ones who lived on it.

So, you see, if I have loved ones that don’t make it to Heaven, I will not remember them…ever. Oh for a moment I will cry. In Revelation 20:15 it says, “Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Just four verses later in the next chapter He is wiping away tears from every eye. Why? I believe we witness their death sentence. Of course we will cry. But then we will hear Him say, “No more death! No more of the way things used to be! I am making all things new!” (Revelation 21:4-5)

If you are reading this and you haven’t received the forgiveness that God offers through His Son, Jesus Christ, please pray to Him today. Ask Him to change your heart and mind so that you can be a part of the New Heaven and the New Earth. Then, read the Bible a little bit every day. Allow the words to sink into your heart and change you over the course of the rest of your life. You must be changed to go to Heaven! If He let you in without repentance, you would quickly make Heaven as Earth is now.

Heaven is a prepared place, for a prepared people.

Are you ready to stand before Him?

Later

Adam