Last week, I let the Systematic Theology I class “derail” my plans for the day, and we spent the time answering student’s questions about the life to come. Yes, I spent 45 minutes with freshmen talking about heaven. Specifically, we talked about the nature of Heaven and about the New Heavens and New Earth. The biblical teaching is that when those who believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior die, we go to be with Him spiritually. But this is just the beginning. The real thing is when Jesus returns to earth, and the dead will be raised, and the whole world will be made new. Beyond this, I had to confess to the students that there is much I do not know. But, the Bible clearly and boldly says that Jesus will be king and all will be made right. The Apostle John records this in the book of
Revelation:Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 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.” (Rev 21:1-5, ESV)
It might be surprising to you that high school freshmen find this so fascinating. But discussing these things, even at the expense of regular lesson plans, is why we are here as teachers. For me, it is a great privilege and an honor to be a small part of God’s work in their lives. Of course, our job as teachers involves getting our students ready for this world. I don’t know of any TCS teacher at any level of our education that doesn’t hold to a high standard of learning. It is very important to us that our students, your children, receive the best academic education that we can give. On the other hand, our sights are not set only on this world. Jesus himself said “My kingdom is not of this world....” (John 18:36, ESV).
The connection is that somewhat paradoxically, it is the life to come that gives this life its deepest meaning. Paul put it this way: Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil 3:13-14)
Knowledge of the life to come did not make Paul less connected to this world, to his job as an apostle, or to the people to whom he ministered. Instead, the joy of eternal life and the kingdom of God was Paul’s motivation for engaging this world in this life to the fullest possible. So too, it was his comfort as he endured all the pain and sorrow that this life has to offer.
May God bless you and your family this week, and may you be filled with joy knowing that our God is working all things toward our good until the day when He returns to bring us home!
Grace and peace,
Brandon J. Edmonds
Secondary School Bible and Theology Teacher