A New Eden

Eden was a place where God's people lived synonymous with heaven and earth. It was a unique place. The humans created by God were to live, rule, and enjoy God's company and His creation. You are probably used to hearing about God at this point, but let's pause for a second and let me paint a picture.

This God is not determined or bound by space, time, or matter. He lives outside of space, time, or matter. Everything you and I know functions to God like a MacBook functioned for Steve Jobs. Although he made it, he did not live in it. It is impossible for Steve Jobs to exist inside a MacBook.

Through Eden, God created a place where the culmination of both spaces was possible. Then, sin entered and God retreated to His holy place of living, but not without a promise - Genesis 3. Fast forward to the building of the tabernacle. God has found a nation he wants to exist with, so, by his direction, a place where heaven and earth meet was created. The God who lives outside of his creation extended his glory into it, so his people could know him better. But again, sin entered, and God retreated.

But that was not the end. This time, God comes in the form of a human to not only be close but to plead with humanity to honor their purpose and return to their creator. He then died on the cross to make us holy, forgive sins, and give us the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, so that God could do the impossible. He could live in us. A new Eden can be formed in you and me. Think about that. If you have the Holy Spirit, the meeting point of heaven and earth is in you, a temple of God, a new Eden.

But the story doesn't end there. The Bible says that God's plan is to restore all things and make all things new. Revelation 21:5, says, "And he who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.'" This means that God's ultimate goal is to restore the relationship between himself and humanity to what it was meant to be in the beginning. A new heaven and a new earth where God's people will live in perfect peace and joy forever.

The Bible also says that believers in Jesus are co-heirs with him, and will share in his inheritance. Romans 8:17, says, "And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him." This means that believers in Jesus will share in his triumph over sin and death, and will inherit all that he has promised to give them.

Finally, the Bible teaches that we should live our lives in a way that reflects the reality of the new Eden that is within us. Colossians 3:1-4, it says, "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." This means that we should focus our minds and hearts on things that are eternal, rather than on things that are temporary, and live in a way that honors the reality of the new Eden that is within us.

Photo by Caique Nascimento on Unsplash