“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” Genesis 1:1-3
The very first recorded action of God in the Bible was creation. He didn’t just build the heavens as His dwelling; He shaped the earth right alongside them. Then, He simply spoke the foundation of all earthly life into existence: light.
God didn’t just carelessly create, he carefully designed our earth with intention and purpose. Earth is positioned about 94.326 million miles away from the sun. That number might sound random, but it is anything but. Did you know that if earth was 5% closer to the sun, the increase in solar radiation could make earth too hot to support most life? Every small detail was carefully planned by our creator, with each of us in mind.
Ecclesiastes 1:4 says “One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever”. Earth has been present since the beginning of creation, carefully created as the perfect dwelling place for human life. God intends his creation to remain present for the rest of eternity. “And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever.” Psalm 78:69. God even compares our earth to the sanctuaries of the heavens.
We know our God, the one “Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.” Psalm 104:5. He created a stable foundation, a lasting home for mankind to inhabit. But after Adam’s sin, earth’s paradise slowly began to fall into ruin. Unnecessary and seemingly endless wars leave deep scars; incurable diseases continue to affect both the young and old alike; pollution continues to destroy God’s creation; poverty and widening wage gaps grow more common across nations; corruption is inherent in almost every governmental system; and innocent lives are lost daily to senseless violence. God promises, however, that the earth’s foundation will never be removed, but there is still a dire need for cleansing of our flawed earthly systems.
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away” Revelation 21:1. This verse implies a complete end to our current world’s order. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean complete destruction of our earth, but rather a renewal and transformation into something far better than any man made system. Even the Lord’s prayer says “Thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. Jesus’ reign will bring the complete love, justice, and peace of heaven down upon earth.
In Acts 30:20-21, we learn that God “shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the time of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began”. The Messiah will return again to institute this restitution of all things on earth; to return earth back to its perfected state before Adam’s sin. God promises that within this restored earth “He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces.” Isaiah 25:8. After 1000 years of correction and restitution of the earth and mankind, “The righteous will possess the earth, And they will live forever on it.” Psalm 37:29.
God gives us all hope for a brighter future; a renewed and restored Earth in which "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away" (Revelation 21:4). God’s promise should fill us with joy and anticipation for the days ahead of us, excitement for the amazing plans he has in store for each and every one of his creations. Each passing day brings us closer and closer to a restored and perfected earth; and I don’t know about you but I can’t wait!