We have one more important topic related to the end times that we must talk about. It is perhaps the most important of all the topics. Taking a look at the tribulation of Matthew 24 and seeing it as the vindication of Jesus, and the rapture of 1 Thessalonians and seeing it as the celebration of the return of the king in victory helped us refocus our attention on God’s overall plan of redemption.

Now we take a look at the goal of the plan. We come to the end of the book where the questions are answered. We come to the boxtop of the puzzle where the final picture is painted. All of the Bible is rushing us to understand the flow of history as we ourselves are carried along in its current. Now we come to the place where that current has been leading all along. It is the goal of God’s redemptive plan. As we look at it, I think you will be surprised and challenged. We’re going to look at the new heavens and the new earth. If we don’t understand the goal of God’s plan, then the best we can do is stumble toward it. I would rather run.

To understand God’s goal of redemption, we must revisit our understanding of heaven and creation. Once we’ve done that, we must revisit the implications for our mission.

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