ETERNITY - THE WORLD THAT IS TO COME

VIDEO MESSAGE: GOSPEL IN LIFE 8

SPEAKER: TIM KELLER 
SUNDAY SERVICE  8 SEPTEMBER 2013

A Reflection:

Tim Keller began his presentation by pointing out how the Biblical narrative that began in the Garden of Eden ends up in heaven in a city, the New Jerusalem.

By referring to Isaiah 60 and Revelation 21& 22, we get an overview of a heaven few believers think about or imagine. It certainly provokes reflection as many Christians refer vaguely to heaven as a “better place” or a place where the saved are dressed in white gowns, singing worship songs without end!

But Keller provides an enticing suggestion that this popular picture may not say everything about how grand eternal life promises to be. According to passages in Scripture, the fact that heaven is a city suggests there’s more to eternal life than idle bliss.

A new quality of life, blessed by the beauty of art, music, architecture, labour, creative endeavours, etc – now all purged and purified to glorify God surround believers before His presence.

There will be a renewed culture, a restored shalom, in the intimate presence of the Lord whom we love and worship. There are no tears, no pain or suffering; there is justice, and a new community. In this city where the shekinah glory of God (the visible manifestation of the divine presence) shines, there is light and beauty forevermore while we bask in the joy of his presence!

Isaiah 60:19 The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. 

C.S Lewis' words from The Last Battle anticipates a story that goes on and on, where each new page we turn is better than the last one:

“This is the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived happily ever after. But, for them, it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world ... had only been the cover, and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on Earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.” 

But more importantly, how does our assurance of eternity affect our present life? We live in the moment, imperfect as it is, but we look forward to eternity.

For instance, how does our understanding of heaven as an eternal city of holy activity impact our witness and the work we do?

Certainly, gospel shaped believers must now live in a community that gives non-believers a foretaste of heaven. In our home, our workplace, in church, etc, the glory of life lived in the presence of God and where Jesus rules must be evident.

May this vision of eternity drive us and our community to meaningful action for God's glory!