If God were to end history and reign forever in a distant Heaven, Earth would be remembered as a graveyard of sin and failure. Instead, Earth will be redeemed and resurrected. In the end it will be a far greater world, even for having gone through the birth pains of suffering and sin-yes, even sin. The New Earth will justify the old Earth's disaster, make good out of it, putting it in perspective. It will preserve and perpetuate Earth's original design and heritage.
Randy Alcorn's book "Heaven" presents a vision of Earth's ultimate redemption rather than its mere end. He suggests that if God were to conclude history and exist solely in a remote Heaven, our world would be seen only as a place of sin and failure. However, Alcorn emphasizes that Earth will undergo a transformative resurrection, emerging as a vastly improved realm shaped by its challenging past. This transformative process reveals that suffering and sin, while tragic, play a crucial role in the grand narrative of existence.
The New Earth will not only justify the trials of the old world but also highlight the inherent beauty of its original design. Alcorn's message reassures believers that the struggles of life are not in vain; instead, they will lead to a future filled with hope and meaning. The grace experienced in the New Earth will put the old Earth’s failures into a redemptive perspective, affirming that every experience contributes to the majestic restoration of creation.
