From story to glory.

One of the questions many people struggle with is this: What is the point of life, death, and eternal life(in heaven or hell)?


A while back, I had a fellowship with one of my friends. During our conversation, they asked a simple but profound question: "Will there ever be a time when we can start over again like in a new earth?"



I believe they asked that question because life has not been easy. Like many people, they has experienced disappointment, confusion, and uncertainty. They longs for a better world, a place where things are finally made right.


I was grateful for the question because Scripture gives us an answer. The Bible tells us that there is indeed a day coming when God will REVEAL a new heaven and a new earth.

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away..." (Revelation 21:1)


A few verses later John realized something:

"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..." (Revelation 21:3–4)


Many believers are unaware of this promise, not because it is hidden, but because we often have not slowed down enough to study the Scriptures carefully. Paul encouraged Timothy,

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)


When we patiently study the Scriptures from Genesis to Malachi and Revelation, we begin to see one grand story rather than isolated events. The story begins in Genesis.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1)


The Bible tells us much more about the earth than it does about the heavens because the earth is where humanity's story unfolds. God formed the skies, gathered the waters, caused dry land to appear, filled the earth with vegetation, fish, birds, animals, and every living creature. Finally, He created mankind.


"Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion...'" (Genesis 1:26)


"The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it." (Genesis 2:15)


Humanity was created with responsibility. Adam was not placed in the garden merely to enjoy it but to cultivate it, protect it, and steward God's creation. He was the man-ager of God's world and the garden was ground zero. The earth was the ultimate goal as population(offsprings) increased overtime.


But humanity was created for something even greater than stewardship. Humanity was created for fellowship with God. The psalmist learnt something useful,

"The heavens are the LORD'S heavens, but the earth he has given to the children of man." (Psalm 115:16)


God's intention was not for mankind to escape to heaven. Rather, He created humanity to live on the earth while managing it and enjoying unhindered fellowship with Him. Genesis gives us a beautiful glimpse of that relationship. After Adam and Eve sinned,

"They heard the sound of the LORD God WALKING in the garden in the cool of the day..." (Genesis 3:8)


That brief statement suggests that God's presence in the garden was familiar rather than unusual. I like to imagine those evenings. While Scripture does not tell us the content of their conversations, I can picture Adam sharing the events of the day—how the animals behaved, how creation flourished, and how the garden was doing under his care. Whether or not those conversations happened exactly that way, the point remains clear: God desired fellowship with humanity. This theme continues throughout Scripture.


Enoch walked with God.

"Enoch WALKED with God, and he was not, for God took him." (Genesis 5:24)


Abraham was called God's friend.

"But you, Israel... offspring of Abraham, my friend." (Isaiah 41:8)


The New Testament repeats the same truth.

"Abraham believed God... and he was called a friend of God." (James 2:23)


Then Jesus came and told His disciples,

"No longer do I call you servants... Instead, I have called you friends." (John 15:15)

  • Servants obey commands.
  • Friends share life together.


Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly reveals His desire for friendship with redeemed humanity. Sadly, sin(missing the point) disrupted that fellowship. The managers chose independence over trust. They rebelled against God's command and were driven out of the garden into the untamed land.


It is important to notice the geography recorded in Genesis. The Bible says,

"The LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east..." (Genesis 2:8)


Eden was a region. Within Eden was a specific place called the Garden of Eden. Genesis also records that a river flowed out of Eden and divided into four rivers: Pishon, Gihon, Tigris (Hiddekel), and Euphrates (Genesis 2:10–14). The Tigris and Euphrates are still known today, reminding us that Genesis is rooted in real history.


When sin entered the world, humanity's relationship with God was broken, and creation also began to suffer. Paul explains,

"Creation was subjected to futility..."


and later,

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us, for creation eagerly awaits for the revealing of the sons of God... The whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now." (Romans 8:18–22)


Two things pop-up here. One, humanity is counted as a son(s) of God. They through Adam once walked the earth, then they fell short of Gods expectations on them and the earth felt the pinch. To date, the earth eagerly awaits for the restoration of the sons of God for purposes of better management. Secondly, the manager had become corrupt, and the creation under his care also suffered. Yet God never abandoned His original purpose.


From Genesis onward, we see a God who pursues. He pursued Adam in the garden(where are you?), He pursued Noah(let's start over again), He pursued Abraham(come aside), He pursued Israel(you are mine) and ultimately, He pursued the entire world through The cross. Now He dwells within those that believe in the activities around the cross where a begotten son was revealed.


Instead of beginning with the environment this time, God begins with the managers. Before restoring creation(the earth), He first restores management.


How you may ask? The answer is, the managers must be reborn. Jesus told Nicodemus,

"Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3)


Basically, unless one is of God, they'll never know Gods plan. The heart must be made new before the new earth can be REVEALED. You'll need to study the book of Revelation to know what things will be revealed. Paul writes,

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation." (2 Corinthians 5:17)


God is creating a renewed people before He unveils the renewed creation. As people are transformed by this good news(the gospel), they begin to steward God's world differently. They become people of justice, mercy, generosity, and faithful care. Redemption changes how we live within creation while we await its final restoration.


One day, Christ will be revealed. The dead in Christ will be raised. Creation itself will be renewed and liberated from its bondage to bad managers. God will make all things new. It will be lovely my friends. Beautiful will be an understatement.


The story that began with, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth," will culminate with, "Behold, I am making all things new." (Revelation 21:5)


Behold means look, and oh what a beautiful scene it will be. God's purpose has never changed. He desires a restored creation filled with restored people among whom He dwells.


That is why He is restoring you and me before restoring the environment. This is why the hope of every believer is not to "go to heaven," but to be with God forever when heaven and earth are finally united under the reign of Christ.


The story begins in a garden and ends in a new earth where God is Lord of all that is new. Men, flora and fauna included, and in both places, the greatest blessing is exactly the same: God will dwell among us just as He dwelt with the first manager and his helpmate.


That's the answer I gave to the question my friend asked. You can learn this by turning the pages of your Bible slowly, systematically and go through it as a study.


If you need help in taking such a journey, we'll be doing one next year. January 1st to December 31st 2027. Feel free to sign up through 0735169150 via WhatsApp. 

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