New Heaven and New Earth: A Meditation
[ Estimated Read Time: 8 minutes ] "Nothing unclean shall enter [heaven]," according to the Book of Revelation. (Revelation 21:27), which explains that only the pure are allowed to approach God's presence. We have faith that God, in his mercy, offers timely opportunity for that purification. “At the end of time, the Kingdom of God will come in its fullness. After the universal judgment, the righteous will reign for ever with Christ, glorified in body and soul. The universe itself will be renewed” (CCC 1042). “Sacred Scripture calls this mysterious renewal, which will transform humanity and the world, ‘new heavens and a new earth’” (CCC 1043). “The visible universe, then, is itself destined to be transformed, so that the world itself, restored to its original state, facing no further obstacles, should be at the service of the just, sharing their glorification in the risen Jesus Christ” (CCC 1047). “We know neither the moment of the consummation of the earth and of man, nor