Jesus Christ Offers Glorious Hope

The Jeremy Roberts Podcast

This is the great theme of the New Testament. The hope in the New Testament is never a hope for the world, but is always a hope that is found in Jesus Christ.

Christ in you is your hope of glory. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Peter takes up this theme. 2 Peter 3:12b–13 says, the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! ¹³ But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Verse 13 causes us to ponder: Are we talking about a new planet and overall cosmos that does not currently exist? Or are we talking about a total renovation of planet earth?

I am convinced it will be a renovation of the existing earth. Verse 13 says, a new earth, not a new planet. Furthermore, Romans 8:21 says, that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

Just as the children of God are liberated from the bondage to decay that is in our body and nature, and Jesus redeems us of that so we can have ever lasting life, we can also see that creation will be liberated and share in the glorious freedom that will be ours.

Sin’s destroying work has gone global. It has impacted the whole planet. Jesus Christ’s saving work will go global.

There are many things we don’t know about the new heaven and the new earth. Many things are well beyond our imaginations and remain as delights to be savored, as Christ brings us into the glory of this new creation.

One thing you need to know about the new heaven and new earth, and is absolutely clear is found in 2 Peter 3:13, righteousness dwells. This is the home of righteousness.

There will be, in other words, no sin there. No temptation. No evil. No suffering. No death. No loss. No tears. No fear. No sorrow. No depression. No conflict. No self-interest. No fractured friendships. No hidden agendas. No painful revelations. No gut-wrenching goodbyes.

The new heaven and new earth will be the place where righteousness dwells.

Life in the new heaven and new earth, according to Revelation 21:4, will involve God wiping away every tear from our eyes. 2 Corinthians 5:17b says, The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Here is the question to cut to the chase: How could you live in the home of righteousness? If there is no sin there, how could you be there? If there is no fear there, how could you be there? If there is no conflict there, how could you be there? How could you live in the home of righteousness?

There’s only one way any of this could happen. If you are clothed in the righteousness of Christ, you will be righteous. If you are filled with the Spirit of Christ, you will love righteousness.

Here’s how you or I could be in the home of righteousness . . . and there’s only one way: Through an offering and a sacrifice. The sacrifice was Jesus Christ on the cross, by which His righteousness was counted as yours if you will come to be in Him a new creation.

The Holy Spirit changes you from the inside out, as soon as you receive Christ. This gives you a hunger and thirst for righteousness. That means you will love heaven.

An advocate, Jesus Christ will stand in front of God the Father and say “Here’s [insert your name]. Let him in for my sake.”

God has to save you. There’s no other way.

God has to make you righteous. He has to fill you with a new love for righteousness. He will do this for you if you will humble yourself before Him, end your rebellion against Him, repent before Him, and trust in His Son Jesus Christ, who died and rose again for you, to save you from this world and its future destruction.