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The Bible begins with creation and ends with a new creation. It starts in a garden and ends with a garden. We live between Eden and Paradise. God loves and cares for His creation. Creation tells us about God. “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made” (Rom. 1:20). “The heavens are telling the glory of God” (Ps. 19:1). This is our Father’s world and if we listen closely, we can hear it declare the greatness of God.

Man and creation are bound together. When man sinned, creation suffered. The ground was cursed. (Gen. 3:17). After God destroys everything on the earth by water, He makes a covenant with man and creation itself. God said, “I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh” (Gen. 9:15, cf 9:12-13, 16). Moses is clear that God’s covenant is not just with man, but with creation.

Was it God’s intention that only Adam and Eve would enjoy this garden? Was Satan victorious in ruining God’s plan? No! God has a plan to redeem man and creation. The prophets spoke of a new heaven and new earth. Peter said the prophets spoke of the restoration of all things (Acts. 3:21). God said, “I am making all things new” (Rev. 21:5), not I am making new things. Creation will itself be set free from corruption at our redemption (Rom. 8:18ff).

Redeemed man will have a new body. Our first body looked like the first man; our next body will look like second Adam (1 Cor. 15). This body is natural and the new body will be spiritual (it will be a body of a different substance, but it will be a body). 1 Cor 15 is all about the body, if no body then no resurrection.

A new body for a new heaven and a new earth. The Bible describes our eternal destiny with familiarity (Rev. 22:1-5). It speaks of trees, water, and food. If our new bodies are better than the original, then why not a resurrected earth as well. It will be a new creation. Most importantly, we’ll be with God.