"In Heaven and on Earth"

Scripture Passage

Acts 281-31: Ephesians 1:1-2:22

Scripture Focus

God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. (Ephesians 1:9-10 NLT)

Observation

I have many more questions than answers about what eternity will be like. But I’ve been surprised of late (and challenged to expand my thinking) by the preponderance of Scriptures that speak of “the earth” as part of God’s plan for eternity.

Oh, I’ve known many of those Scriptures for years. But I’ll dare to admit that my vision of eternity has probably been shaped more by the words of others than the Word of God. Popular culture, of course, portrays the Christian perception of eternity as some mundane existence marked by a whole lot of harp strumming and cloud sitting. (If that’s all there is, it’s no wonder nobody cares that much to go!) But even “Christian” culture seems to limit God’s plan for our eternities to “gates of pearl” and “streets of gold” and visions of heavenly worship services.

Don’t misunderstand—those images have rich appeal for me! I love to be with the people of God. I love to celebrate the goodness of God. But many Biblical references give a glimpse of something much greater, involving and including the earth—and us as part of it—in God’s plan for eternity. Revelation 5:10 declares that God “has made [us] to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and [we] will reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:10 NIV). 1 Peter 3:13 says plainly that “in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness” (1 Peter 3:13 NIV).

In today’s “scripture focus”—a summary statement about God’s “mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure,” (Ephesians 1:9)—the Apostle Paul includes the earth, as well. Rather matter-of-factly, Paul announces God’s plan for eternity. Bottom line, “…this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth” (Ephesians 1:9-10 NLT).

I understand it is a renewed earth. I understand it becomes “the home of righteousness.” (Indeed, that’s part of the beauty of it, yes?) I also understand that we’ve generally neglected to consider the earth and God's plans for it when we think about eternity, and I suggest that’s worth pondering. “Everything in heaven and on earth under the authority of Christ.” Cool, huh?

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