Jesus Appearance (7) - Earth and Sky

The earth and sky will be totally changed by the second resurrection. With the physical and spiritual dimensions merged, earth will seem much less grand.

We look at the stars in the sky and are filled with wonder. We look at pictures of the earth taken from space and think it is amazing. However, when see the glory of the spiritual realms, the physical world will shrivel into insignificance. Earth and sky will seem to collapse and disappear. Physical things will not have changed, but we will be seeing them in correct perspective for the first time. We think that space is immense, but when we see the spiritual realm, it will suddenly seem small. As we see the glory of the spiritual realm for the first time, earth and space will shrink away.

Some of this is captured this woodenly literal translation of Peter’s prophecy.

The day of the Lord will come like a thief. The spiritual world will come near with a booming, the orderly arrangement of things will be loosed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be exposed…. That day will bring about the releasing of the spiritual dimensions by fire, and the order of things will liquefy in the heat (2 Pet 3:10,12).

The elements will seem to be dissolving before our eyes. The stars will seem to be rolling up like a scroll. They will not be disappearing, but the beauty and wonder of the spiritual realms is so wonderful, that the earth and sky, as we know them, will fade into insignificance. Such a dramatic event will produce plenty of heat and light.