Thursday, November 16, 2006
Acts 3:21 He [Jesus] must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything . . .
HEAVEN AND DINOSAURS
Will there be dinosaurs in heaven? Consider the following Scriptures: "He [Jesus] must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything" (Acts 3:21). God says that He will restore everything, which would include dinosaurs. Romans 8:21: " . . . The creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God." God says the creation -- which includes dinosaurs -- will be brought into heaven right along with His children.
Yes, the Bible does teach that this world in its present form is passing away (1 Corinthians 7:31) and that it will be destroyed by fire (1 Peter 3:10). But Scripture also proclaims that there will be new heavens and a new earth (2 Peter 3:13; Rev. 21:4). Please note, the word "new" in these verses means "new" as in restored or refurbished. This all fits with what we learned yesterday about the resurrection of our bodies. God is not going to replace our bodies, He's going to raise them and glorify them. God is not going to discard His wonderful creation. That too will be restored and glorified.
But is the question of whether there will be dinosaurs or other animals in heaven such a big deal? Maybe not in itself. But perhaps the question helps to point out that Scripture gives us a much bigger peek into heaven than we might realize.
I can tell you how many touchdowns Fran Tarkenton threw in 1975, what Kirby Puckett's lifetime batting average was, as well as what the stock market did yesterday. If I know useless information like that, I think I should at least be curious about heaven. After all, I'm going to be there for a very long time. Maybe if we Christians truly dug in and learned what the Bible teaches about heaven, we'd be more excited about getting there. Maybe we'd also be a lot less absorbed with this world, which is most certainly doomed to destruction.
I wonder what it will be like to slide down the tail of a brachiosaurus?
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain. He makes all things new!
