A disposable nest: Is this really what the earth is?

Growing up in a remote part of the country gave me the opportunity for some adventures not common to dwellers in highbrow areas. These included fruits gathering, bird hunting, tree climbing, etc. Many times during these adventures, I will come across things that will leave me wondering and thinking. The bird nest was one of such things. Sometimes, it was an empty nest, at other times a nest with eggs or one with fledglings. Some of the questions that will run through my little mind then include:

·         How do birds build nests?

·         How are they so creative?

 ·        Why do they abandon their nest?

I believe you have answers to these questions as I do now. However, I will like to draw your attention to the third question above: why do they abandon their nest? Most birds leave their nests when they are grown enough to fly and feed themselves, and never return to the nest. The nest is therefore abandoned and disposed, having served its purpose.

As a child, I did ask the question: what will happen to the earth when the righteous ones go to live with God for eternity in heaven and the wicked ones are condemned to eternity in hell? To this I would receive such answers as: “the earth will be dissolved, destroyed or disposed”. It is still a popular believe that God will destroy the earth, or rather dispose it off, after He reaps His redeemed children to be with Him in heaven.

But is this really what the bible teaches? Is the earth destined to be a disposable nest? The answer clearly is No. A careful study and understanding of scriptural revelation of end time events makes it clear that the earth will not be disposed but rather transformed into an extension of heaven.

According to biblical revelation of the order of end time events, it is understood that the stay of the redeemed in heaven will be temporary, pending the redemption of the earth itself: when all evils would have been eliminated; when the earths form would have been changed from terrestrial to celestial just as the human form have been changed from corruptible to incorruptible; when God will tabernacle bodily amongst men on the earth (Rev. 21:3)

God is not going to destroy or dispose this earth to create another one, just as he is not going to create another man. But rather he will transform and make the earth new. (Rev. 21:5)

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold I make all things new….

This transformation of the earth will be made by fire as gold is refined by fire. As it is written in 2 Peter 3:10 & 13; “…the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up.  Nevertheless, we, according to his promise look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” This new Universe is going to be totally different from the current one we know. It will be a universe void of evil. 

According to John’s revelation, there will be no sea in the new earth (Rev 21:1). This could mean any of these two things or both:

1.      No literal sea which therefore infers that there will be no need for water.

2.      No troubles (Isaiah 43:2). This is corroborated in verse 4 of revelation 21 – no tears, no pains, no death.

I will like to state at this point that end time prophecies and revelation of God’s judgment in general, always carry two messages which are interwoven. One part of the message contains precious promises, assurances and encouragement for the righteous. And the other part contains dreadful threatening woes and the deadly fate of the wicked and ungodly. (An example of this is found in Isaiah 24)

No wonder we are admonished in verses 11 and 14 of 2^nd Peter chapter 3 thus:

Seeing then that all these things (earthly vanities which men are dying and killing for) shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness…?

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot and blameless.

Friends, without holiness, spending eternity with God will only become an unrealized dream. I pray therefore for you reading this post that grace will find you. And may that grace deliver salvation to you if you have not yet received God’s salvation. And for you who have received salvation, may grace bring you into a closer and holy walk with God. Stay ever blessed in Jesus name.

Watch out for my post on “Understanding the order of end time events”