Beyond Imagination: The Glory of Heaven and the New Earth

“The Lord has given me a view of other worlds. Wings were given me, and an angel attended me from the city to a place that was bright and glorious…. I begged of my attending angel to let me remain in that place. I could not bear the thought of coming back to this dark world again. Then the angel said, ‘You must go back, and if you are faithful, you … shall have the privilege of visiting all the worlds and viewing the handiwork of God’” (Early Writings, p. 39).

“We do not expect rest here. No, no. The way to heaven is a cross-bearing way … We will not complain … We will rejoice in tribulation and keep in mind the recompense of reward, the ‘far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory’… The curtain has been lifted. I have seen the rich reward laid up for the saints. I have had a taste of the joys of the world to come, and it has spoiled this world for me. My affections, my interests, hopes, my all is in heaven. I long to see the King in His beauty, Him whom my soul loveth” (Reflecting Christ, p. 350).

Introduction

The most beautiful life we have ever experienced is only the faintest shadow of the life God is preparing for His redeemed children. Paul declares that “no eye has seen it, no ear has heard it, and it has never entered the human heart to imagine what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

This does not mean that we should never contemplate eternity. It means that even if we gather every glorious description found in Scripture, add every inspired glimpse given through Ellen White, and then allow our sanctified imagination to soar to its highest limit, the reality will still be infinitely more wonderful.

“Human language is inadequate to describe the reward of the righteous. There will be no more tears, no funeral trains. The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick” (Great Controversy, pp. 674–676).

Imagine combining the happiest moment of your life, the most glorious landscape you have ever seen, the sweetest music you have ever heard, the most delicious food you have ever tasted and the deepest love you have ever experienced. Multiply it beyond measure—and you would still possess only a faint foretaste of the world to come.

Our greatest reason for loving and serving God is Christ and His infinite love revealed at the cross. Paul declared, “God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14), and regarded everything else as “rubbish” compared with knowing Him (Philippians 3:8).

Yet Paul also looked beyond present suffering to the glorious future God has prepared for us: “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).

Moses was inspired by the same two realities. He valued “the reproach of Christ” above all the treasures of Egypt and “looked to the reward” (Hebrews 11:24–26). Let us follow his example and never exchange eternal happiness for “the passing pleasures of sin.” Keeping both the cross and the promised glory before us, let us “follow the Lamb wherever He goes” (Revelation 14:4), knowing that every earthly sacrifice will be more than rewarded by the perfect, endless joy of living with Jesus: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).

For Ellen White, looking to the reward meant far more than entering heaven or receiving eternal life. Her greatest longing was to be with Jesus forever in God’s kingdom because she loved Him more than anything else. She wrote, “My affections, my interests, hopes, my all is in heaven. I long to see the King in His beauty, Him whom my soul loveth” (Reflecting Christ, p. 350).

The same was true of Moses and the apostle Paul. They were motivated by “looking to the reward” (Hebrews 11:26), not because of selfish ambition or the desire for personal gain, but because they longed to be with the One they loved above all else. Their greatest hope was to see their Saviour face to face and to live with Him forever. The reward they looked for was ultimately Christ Himself, and the joy of spending eternity in His presence.

After the Millennium

When Christ returns, all who died trusting in Him will be raised with immortal bodies, while the living redeemed will be transformed. Together they will be taken to heaven, where they will reign with Christ for one thousand years (John 14:1–3; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; Revelation 20:4–6).

At the end of the millennium, the New Jerusalem will descend from heaven. The wicked will be raised, the entire history of the great controversy will be revealed, and every created being will acknowledge that God has been perfectly loving, just and merciful. Sin and sinners will then be destroyed forever, and God will recreate this earth in indescribable beauty (Revelation 20:7–15; 21:1–5; Philippians 2:10–11).

The redeemed will not spend eternity as invisible spirits floating upon clouds. They will be real human beings with recognisable personalities and glorious, immortal bodies like Christ’s resurrected body (Philippians 3:20–21; 1 Corinthians 15:42–54). They will build houses, plant vineyards, cultivate gardens, eat wonderful food, form friendships, learn, create, travel and worship God.

Heaven and the new earth will not mean less life than we possess now. They will mean life as God originally intended it—life without sin, deterioration, frustration, loneliness, fear or death.

Throne of God and Open Space in Orion

The Bible teaches that God’s throne is in heaven (Psalm 11:4). It also mentions Orion as one of God’s constellations (Job 9:9; Job 38:31; Amos 5:8), but never states that it is the place where God’s throne is. Nevertheless, it is interesting that Orion is the only constellation which is mentioned three times in Scripture.

Although the Bible does not explain why, it is possible that it mentions Orion three times because in this way it points to the location of the throne of the Three Persons of the Godhead, like three crosses on Golgotha, three hours of darkness, three denials of Peter, or three temptations of Christ to save himself refer to the fact that God the Father and Holy Spirit suffered together with Lord Jesus for our salvation.

However, Ellen White gives this following remarkable statement based on one of the visions she received from God: “Then we could look up through the open space in Orion, whence came the voice of God. The Holy City will come down through that open space” (Early Writings, p. 41).

Because God’s voice comes through the open space in Orion and the New Jerusalem will descend through it, many early Adventist pioneers, including Joseph Bates and J. N. Loughborough, concluded that Orion marks the gateway to heaven and the direction of God’s throne.

Interestingly, modern astronomy has shown that Orion is not a solid cloud, but contains large open spaces. Astronomers discovered a huge open space inside the Orion Nebula created by powerful stars. They also found that Orion’s Belt lies within another enormous open region called Barnard’s Loop.

Most recently, in 2026, astronomers discovered yet another previously unknown open space in the Extended Orion Nebula, together with a 13-light-year-long passage-like structure extending from it.

Although scientists do not regard these structures as a supernatural gateway, their discoveries confirm that Orion really does contain remarkable open spaces, making Ellen White’s nineteenth-century description of an “open space in Orion” especially remarkable—more than a century before modern astronomy revealed these hidden structures.

Magnificent Seven-Day Journey to Heaven

When Jesus returns, the redeemed will leave this earth and begin the most breathtaking journey in the history of the universe. About this journey Ellen White wrote: “We all entered the cloud together, and were seven days ascending to the sea of glass” (Early Writings, p. 16).

Orion nebula is approximately 1,500 light-years from Earth. Light itself—travells at nearly 300,000 kilometres per second. Therefore, we would need about 1,500 years to get there! Yet the redeemed will make the journey in only seven days! That would mean travelling at an astonishing average speed of about 24 billion kilometres per second—approximately 78,000 times faster than the speed of light! What light would take 1,500 years to cross, God’s redeemed will cross in just one glorious week.

Angels certainly do not need fifteen centuries to deliver a message to earth. This does not establish a particular heavenly speed, because God may transport glorified beings through principles or dimensions entirely unknown to present physics.

Nevertheless, travel among distant worlds must involve powers unimaginably greater than any technology available today. Imagine the redeemed travelling with angels throughout God’s universe—spreading their glorious wings and passing distant planets, colourful nebulae and magnificent galaxies at astonishing speed.

There will be no airports, security queues, lost luggage or cramped seats—only free and unlimited travel through the wonders of creation. Perhaps one day you will decide to visit a galaxy billions of light-years away simply to admire a newly formed ring of stars!

Exactly how we will travel remains a mystery, but the reality will certainly be more exciting than anything we can presently imagine. The greatest holidays in the universe will be entirely free of charge.

“All the treasures of the universe will be open to the study of God’s redeemed. Unfettered by mortality, they wing their tireless flight to worlds afar—worlds that thrilled with sorrow at the spectacle of human woe and rang with songs of gladness at the tidings of a ransomed soul” (Great Controversy, p. 677).

Yet the speed will be the least exciting part of the journey! Imagine standing beside your loved ones, your heart overflowing with indescribable joy, while the glorious Jesus leads the way in dazzling majesty. Around Him are millions of mighty, radiant angels, and an endless multitude of redeemed from every nation, tribe, language, and generation—all shining with immortal glory.

As the days pass, the wonders of God’s universe unfold before your eyes. Gigantic spiral galaxies glitter like oceans of diamonds. Enormous, colourful nebulae stretch across space like living masterpieces painted by the Creator Himself. Brilliant clusters of stars, beautiful living planets and worlds that have never known sin, and breathtaking scenes beyond human imagination appear everywhere you look.

Our new immortal bodies will no longer be limited by the weakness of our present senses. Every colour will be richer, every detail infinitely sharper, every view more spectacular than anything the most powerful telescope could ever reveal. We will see dimensions of God’s creation that are now completely hidden from us and behold beauty beyond anything human language can describe.

Then, after the seven-day journey to heaven, Jesus and His redeemed arrive before the glorious gates of the Holy City. As Christ approaches, the angels upon the city’s walls repeatedly ask, “Who is this King of glory?” They do not ask because they do not know Him, but to proclaim before the entire universe the triumph of the returning King. The escorting angels answer with joy, “The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle!… The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory!” The everlasting gates are lifted up, and Jesus—the victorious Saviour—enters the Holy City, followed by the countless multitude of the redeemed (Desire of Ages, p. 833).

The magnificent songs of angels, the joyful voices of the redeemed, and the glorious harmonies of heaven fill the vastness of space with music more beautiful than anything ever heard on earth. Every note speaks of God’s infinite love, wisdom, and victory over sin. No fear. No pain. No death. No tears. Only overwhelming joy, perfect peace, boundless love, and increasing wonder with every passing moment. If the journey to our eternal home is this glorious, what must eternity itself be like?

Wings and Tireless Flight

“The Lord has given me a view of other worlds. Wings were given me, and an angel attended me from the city to a place that was bright and glorious…. I begged of my attending angel to let me remain in that place. I could not bear the thought of coming back to this dark world again. Then the angel said, ‘You must go back, and if you are faithful, you … shall have the privilege of visiting all the worlds and viewing the handiwork of God’” (Early Writings, pp. 39–40).

The Bible does not explicitly state that every redeemed person will possess visible wings. However, cherubim and seraphim are described with wings, and these visions provide a wonderful basis for contemplating the possibility that the redeemed will also be able to fly.

“On the mount was a glorious temple, and about it were seven other mountains, on which grew roses and lilies. And I saw the little ones climb, or, if they chose, use their little wings and fly to the top of the mountains, and pluck the never-fading flowers.” (Early Writings, pp. 18–19).

Imagine children running joyfully towards a mountain, then opening their little wings and soaring to its summit. Imagine flying beside angels above crystal rivers, magnificent forests, flowering valleys, glorious cities and waterfalls sparkling like living jewels.

We will walk when we wish, run without becoming weary and fly whenever we choose. Whether our wings are always visible or God provides some still greater means of movement, the redeemed will not be confined to one place, one city or one planet.

Glorious Immortal Bodies

Our present bodies reveal astonishing design, but they have been damaged by thousands of years of sin. Our vision is limited, our hearing covers only a narrow range, our memories fail and our minds become exhausted. Even the strongest human being eventually needs to stop and rest.

At the resurrection, however, “this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:53). Christ “will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body” (Philippians 3:21).

“There every power will be developed, the highest ambitions realized. And still there will arise new heights to surmount, new wonders to admire. All the treasures of the universe will be open to the study of God’s children. With unutterable delight we shall enter into the joy and the wisdom of unfallen beings.” (Education, p. 306; The Great Controversy, p. 677).

We will never again say, “I am tired”, “I am too old,” “I cannot remember,” “I can’t see it clearly,” or “It is too hard to understand.” We will possess endless vitality and energy and we will be always free from nervous tension, exhaustion or stress.

Eyes Like Living Telescopes and Microscopes

In vision, Ellen White saw the redeemed gathered around a table of pure silver many miles long, yet their glorified eyes could see its entire length. This suggests powers of vision far beyond anything we possess today: “And I saw a table of pure silver; it was many miles in length, yet our eyes could extend over it” (Early Writings, p. 19).

Imagine the marriage supper of the Lamb, with millions of redeemed people gathered around an immense table with Jesus. Even from miles away, you will see the love shining in Christ’s eyes, recognise Moses, Daniel, Paul, Mary and other heroes of faith, and clearly hear every word—without screens, binoculars or hearing aids!

Our immortal eyes will be able to work like astonishing living telescopes. We could see distant mountains, study beautiful worlds and gaze into regions of the universe that now require enormous observatories. We will perceive colours, light and dimensions completely hidden from mortal sight.

“With undimmed vision they (redeemed) gaze upon the glory of creation—suns and stars and systems, all in their appointed order circling the throne of Deity. Upon all things, from the least to the greatest, the Creator’s name is written, and in all are the riches of His power displayed” (Great Controversy, p. 677).

“From the least to the greatest” opens another breathtaking possibility. If our glorified sight can explore the depths of space, perhaps it will also reveal the smallest wonders of creation. Without microscopes, we may study living cells, molecules, atoms and mysteries of matter beyond the reach of today’s finest instruments.

A single flower may become a universe of discovery. One moment we may examine the exquisite machinery inside a living cell; the next, we may gaze across a galaxy containing hundreds of billions of stars. Everywhere—from the smallest structure to the greatest solar system—we will recognise the signature of the same infinite Creator.

Scripture does not reveal exactly what our new senses will accomplish, but the reality will surpass our greatest imagination. Do not exchange such an eternity for the brief pleasures of this world. Eternal life is God’s gift through Christ. Trust Him, surrender your life to Him every day and never give up. Nothing on Earth is worth losing the endless wonders God has prepared for those who love Him!

Then focus on something nearby, and perhaps your glorified vision will shift into an astonishing microscopic mode. Imagine looking into a living leaf, flower, crystal or drop of water—first seeing its cells and molecules, then penetrating deeper into the hidden world of atoms.

We will observe electrons surrounding atomic nuclei and look inside protons and neutrons themselves. Each proton and neutron contains three principal—or “valence”—quarks, inseparably bound by the strong nuclear interaction, which is carried by particles called gluons. The farther scientists attempt to separate these quarks, the stronger their binding becomes. Quarks are therefore never normally found alone. What a beautiful illustration of the eternal unity of the Godhead! God also was never alone. The Father was always with His Son and Holy Spirit, the three distinct divine Persons, yet perfectly and eternally one, united by infinite, everlasting, self-giving love.

Imagine discovering such wonders for yourself! Every atom may become a lesson, every flower a library and every world a new revelation of God’s limitless wisdom, power and love.

Never-Fading Flowers, Perfect Smells, Swimming with Dolphins

If you think home design on Earth is fun, wait until you start building your home on the New Earth. On the New Earth, colorful, fragrant roses and lilies never fade, wither, or shed petals. You can literally weave living, blooming walls for your home out of ever-flowering blossoms in radiant shades of gold, deep violet, ruby, and sapphire!

Say goodbye forever to garbage trucks, burnt toast, pollution, or bad body odor. The New Earth operates exclusively on a premium fragrance spectrum. You will breathe in the crisp, sweet aroma of the Tree of Life, ozone-fresh crystal rivers, and everlasting floral gardens. Ever wanted to glide underwater without scuba gear or oxygen tanks? You will dive into clear, pure rivers and oceans, swimming right alongside dolphins—matching their speed, doing acrobatic flips through the waves, and communicating with them in joyful, playful fellowship!

Mind-Boggling Dimensions of the Holy City

The capital city of the New Earth, the Holy City of New Jerusalem, descends from God in radiant splendor. Revelation 21 describes its layout as a cube measuring 12,000 furlongs—about 1,500 miles (2,400 kilometers) in length, width, and height! To put that in perspective, a city with a footprint that large covers an area nearly the size of half the United States, and it towers 1,500 miles high into the sky!

With thousands upon thousands of glorious levels stacked in majestic architecture, mansions sit gracefully above mansions. It provides endless, airy space for millions of redeemed souls and angels. Built with transparent gold, pearly gates, and foundations embedded with every precious stone imaginable, it is a city of limitless wonder.

Heavenly Gastronomy

Let’s talk about food. Heavenly feasting is an absolute paradise for your taste buds. The Tree of Life yields twelve distinct types of fruit every month, offering flavors so rich, complex, and delightful that your earthly tastebuds could never have imagined them.

Best of all? You can eat as much as you want without ever worrying about calories, high blood sugar, or digestive trouble!

Free Intergalactic Holidays – Visiting unfallen worlds

Every day on the New Earth brings opportunities to make new friends among the redeemed, holy angels, and delegates from unfallen worlds. You will take free trips across the cosmos to visit unfallen worlds. You’ll meet holy beings who never experienced sin, observe their unique wildlife and exotic plant life, and sit down with them to learn from their millennia of unfallen wisdom.

God has created countless worlds whose inhabitants never joined Lucifer’s rebellion. They watched the tragedy of human sin with sorrow and rejoiced whenever one sinner accepted Christ.

Imagine leaving the New Jerusalem with Jesus, angels and redeemed friends to visit a world that never fell. As we approach, unfamiliar constellations fill the sky. The world possesses colours, landscapes, vegetation and forms of life that have never entered the human imagination.

Its inhabitants welcome us as members of God’s universal family. They tell us about their history, civilisation, music, science and the ways in which they have explored God’s creation. We listen to wisdom developed during ages untouched by war, selfishness, deception, disease or death.

Then they ask us about Jesus.

They know the history of redemption. They watched the conflict. They trembled at Gethsemane and Calvary and rejoiced at Christ’s resurrection. Yet the redeemed alone will know by experience what it means to have been lost and rescued.

We will tell them how Christ entered our fallen human family as our Brother and Representative. We will describe how He carried our sins and condemned nature to the cross, overcame death and gave eternal life to His enemies as a free gift. We will explain how He found us in darkness, forgave us, lived within us and transformed our naturally selfish hearts.

Every redeemed person will possess a unique story of grace. Throughout the universe, we will forever be living evidence that God is love.

Another world may contain immense mountains, luminous vegetation, unfamiliar oceans and harmless creatures unlike any animal upon earth. Its inhabitants may teach us new forms of mathematics, astronomy, biology, art and music.

After a glorious visit we may ask, “Where shall we go next?” Eternity will answer, “There are still countless worlds remaining.”

Unbroken Communion with God

While warp-speed travel, telescopic vision, flower mansions, and heavenly feasts are incredible, they are not the main attraction. The supreme privilege of Heaven is personal, face-to-face communion with the all loving, everlasing Godhead: God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

To walk side by side with Jesus, to hear His warm laugh, to hold the hands that still bear the marks of Calvary, and to be wrapped in the sweet, overwhelming, radiant atmosphere of divine love—this is what makes Heaven truly Heaven.

Amazing Vocal Abilities & Heavenly Music

God will also bestow upon every redeemed person astonishing vocal abilities. Whether your earthly voice was weak or strong, you will be able to sing effortlessly across an extraordinary range—from the purest soaring soprano to the richest, deepest bass and the most glorious tenor—far surpassing the greatest singers who ever lived. Every voice will be perfectly tuned, powerful, expressive and uniquely beautiful, blending in flawless harmony with countless millions of redeemed saints and angels.

Sabbath Worship: The Ultimate Cosmic Choir and Orchestra

Sabbaths on the New Earth will be the breathtaking highlight of eternity. Representatives and delegates from unfallen worlds across the universe will gather with the redeemed around the central throne of God. Imagine standing in a vast amphitheatre filled with millions upon millions of voices, accompanied by an angelic orchestra playing golden harps and heavenly instruments of unimaginable beauty and acoustic richness.

God will bestow upon every redeemed person astonishing musical abilities. Whether your earthly voice was weak or strong, you will sing effortlessly across an extraordinary range—from the purest soaring soprano to the richest bass and the most glorious tenor—far surpassing the greatest singers who ever lived. Every voice will be perfectly tuned, powerful or delicate, expressive and uniquely beautiful, blending in flawless harmony with countless millions of redeemed saints and angels.

We will also learn to play heavenly instruments—or perhaps receive the ability to play them instinctively—with a mastery beyond anything known on Earth. Their tones will possess a purity, richness and beauty beyond human imagination, producing melodies and harmonies that no earthly instrument could ever reproduce. Every redeemed person will become both a gifted singer and musician, performing music of such breathtaking beauty that it will surpass the greatest masterpieces ever composed by the finest composers in human history.

Then the moment beyond all expectation will arrive. As God the Father and Jesus speak and sing Their everlasting love, Their divine voices will blend with the heavenly choir. Hearing the Creator Himself sing over His people with infinite tenderness and love will fill every heart with overwhelming joy, gratitude and adoration. Together with angels, the redeemed, and delegates from unfallen worlds, we will join the greatest choir in the history of the universe, singing the song of Moses and the Lamb and celebrating forever the everlasting love revealed through the cross of Christ.

Sabbath Worship With Delegates From Other Worlds

God promises that upon the new earth, “from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me” (Isaiah 66:22–23).

Imagine the New Jerusalem as the Sabbath approaches. The city fills with redeemed people, innumerable angels and delegates from unfallen worlds. Some may have crossed thousands or millions of light-years to participate in this universal family gathering.

The Sabbath will forever commemorate creation and redemption. It will remind the universe that everything exists through God’s power and that fallen humanity was restored through His self-sacrificing love.

Then the Father speaks.

His voice fills the immense city, yet every individual hears Him as clearly and personally as though sitting directly beside the throne. Jesus rises to teach, revealing new depths in the story of redemption. The Holy Spirit communicates divine love to every heart.

Jesus may then sing. Zephaniah says that God will rejoice over His people “with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). Imagine hearing the voice that spoke worlds into existence, calmed storms, forgave sinners and called the dead from their graves.

Then the heavenly orchestra begins.

Angels whose musical abilities have developed throughout the ages lift their instruments in praise. The redeemed join them with perfectly clear and harmonious voices. Delegates from other worlds contribute forms of music never heard upon earth.

No choir member sings flat. No microphone produces feedback. No musician enters at the wrong moment. Yet the music will not be cold or mechanically perfect. It will overflow with personality, gratitude, freedom and love.

Millions of voices may move through the city like an ocean of glory. Each remains distinct, yet all form one majestic song: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain” (Revelation 5:12).

Make Sure You Are There!

This incredible future is not a distant, unreachable fairy tale—it is a guaranteed inheritance purchased for you by the precious sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Don’t let the brief, passing struggles or distractions of this present world rob you of an eternity of infinite adventure, joy, and love. Surrender your heart to Jesus every day, maintain constant communion with Him, and walk by true, active faith. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling through the grace He so freely provides, esteem the reproach of Christ greater riches than the passing pleasures of sin” (Hebr. 11:24). Keep your eyes fixed on the love of God revealed in the cross of Christ and look to eternal goal.

No pain, illness or separation

There will be no hospitals, ambulances, cancer wards, pharmacies, graveyards or funeral processions. No one will discover a suspicious lump, receive a devastating diagnosis or watch someone precious slowly lose strength. No child will lose a parent, no husband will bury his wife and no friend will have to say a final goodbye.

God Himself will wipe every tear from our eyes. “There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain” (Revelation 21:4).

No one will grow old. No skin will wrinkle, no hair will fall out, no joint will become painful and no memory will fade. No one will awaken tired or discouraged. Our faces will express perfect health, purity, intelligence and happiness. The freshness of immortal youth will never pass away.

There will be no anxiety about tomorrow because nothing capable of harming us will exist. The terrible sentence, “Something has gone wrong,” will never again be heard.

Heaven’s endless university

Eternal life will contain purposeful activity, investigation and education. There will be no stressful examinations, tuition fees or fear of failure.

“The herb, the flower, the tree, will afford subjects for investigation. In all the visible creation, in earth and sea and sky, we shall read the name of God. The musical birds will sing their songs of praise to their Creator.” (Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 189).

We may study how God designed the flight of a bird, how a flower produces fragrance, how light travels, how stars are formed and how living systems cooperate in perfect harmony.

Earth’s greatest scientists have spent lifetimes studying small fragments of creation. In eternity, the redeemed will possess unlimited time, undimmed minds and direct access to the Creator.

Jesus may explain the laws governing galaxies. The Father may reveal why He selected particular forms, colours and harmonies. The Holy Spirit, who now guides us into truth, will continue opening our minds to the immeasurable riches of divine wisdom.

There will be no intellectual pride. The more we learn, the more humble, joyful and astonished we will become.

“And the years of eternity, as they roll, will bring richer and still more glorious revelations of God and of Christ. As knowledge is progressive, so will love, reverence, and happiness increase. The more men learn of God, the greater will be their admiration of His character.” (The Great Controversy, p. 678).

Eternal life will never become monotonous because God is infinite. Created minds can never reach the end of an infinite Mind. Every discovery will open another door; every height reached will reveal a still greater height beyond it.

Flowers that never fade

The fields of the new earth will be filled with flowers that never wither or lose their beauty. No petal will become brown, no leaf will decay and no plant will be damaged by disease or frost. There will be no thorns to wound us, weeds to choke our gardens or harmful insects to destroy what we plant.

We may use living flowers to form walls, arches and beautiful rooms. Instead of wallpaper printed with artificial roses, our homes might contain walls covered with real roses—always fresh, always fragrant and perhaps displaying colours that do not exist in the present world.

Our homes may become living works of art. One wall could be composed of flowers; another might open onto a waterfall. A crystal stream may pass through the garden, while fruit trees form a natural hall beneath their branches.

Some people may build beside rivers, others upon hills, beside oceans, within magnificent forests or among flowering valleys. Our creativity will never damage nature because every thought and action will harmonise with the Creator’s loving design.

“They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit…. My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands” (Isaiah 65:21–22).

There will be meaningful work but no exhausting labour, financial anxiety or oppressive deadlines. No mortgage will last thirty years. No landlord will increase the rent. No neighbour will complain that our heavenly flowers have crossed the property boundary.

Fragrances without anything unpleasant

Our restored sense of smell may be incomparably more sensitive than it is today. Imagine breathing perfectly pure air and distinguishing hundreds of beautiful fragrances carried upon the same breeze: flowers, forests, fruit, fresh water and aromas for which earthly languages have no names.

Perhaps every world will possess its own characteristic fragrance. A garden may produce beautiful waves of perfume as the breeze passes through it. Flowers might release different fragrances at different times, creating something like music for the sense of smell.

Only pleasant smells will remain.

There will be no pollution, smoke, sewage, mould, rubbish or rotting food. No one will remove a shoe and suddenly empty the room. No animal will leave an unpleasant surprise upon a heavenly pathway. And if glorified bodies still produce anything remotely resembling earthly wind, we may safely expect it to smell like roses—or perhaps it will wisely make no appearance at all!

In Paradise, our noses will finally enjoy eternal peace.

Food beyond every earthly flavour

The river of life will flow from God’s throne, and on either side will stand the tree of life, producing twelve kinds of fruit (Revelation 22:1–2). The heavenly table will contain beautiful fruit, manna, almonds, figs and other wonderful foods (Early Writings, p. 19).

Imagine fruit with flavours more complex and delightful than anything we can taste today. Some may be wonderfully sweet, while others are refreshing, creamy, crisp or fragrant. Perhaps one fruit will combine the finest qualities of mango, peach, pineapple and strawberry while possessing a glorious flavour entirely its own.

The Creator is not limited to the relatively small number of fruits familiar to us. The God who designed thousands of edible plants upon this damaged earth can provide limitless varieties throughout the universe.

We may enjoy foods prepared by friends from different ages and worlds. Meals will become celebrations of gratitude and fellowship without gluttony, indigestion or disease.

No one will count calories, worry about cholesterol or read labels searching for harmful ingredients. There will be no food poisoning, allergies or unpleasant reaction the following morning. Every meal will increase health, joy, friendship and praise.

Swimming and communicating with dolphins

The renewed earth will contain animals living in complete peace. The wolf and lamb will feed together, the leopard will lie down with the young goat and a little child will safely lead them (Isaiah 11:6–9; 65:25).

The oceans will no longer be associated with drowning, violent storms, pollution or predatory fear. Imagine entering water as clear as crystal, swimming effortlessly and remaining beneath its surface without anxiety.

Perhaps our glorified bodies will move through water with the speed and grace of dolphins. We may descend into underwater valleys, explore forests of colourful plants and discover creatures that presently live beyond human reach.

Communication between humanity and animals may also become far richer. Scripture does not reveal precisely how this will work, but creation will no longer groan under fear and corruption (Romans 8:19–23). Dolphins may guide us through their ocean home and communicate their thoughts and joy in ways we immediately understand.

One might approach and say in its own perfectly understandable manner, “You are still rather slow. Follow me—I will teach you!”

Soon we may be racing through an underwater canyon together while angels watch from above.

The immense New Jerusalem

John saw the Holy City descending from God “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:2). It shone with divine glory. Its foundations appeared as precious stones, its gates as pearls and its street as pure gold, transparent like glass.

The city’s length, breadth and height are each described as 12,000 stadia—approximately 2,200 kilometres or 1,400 miles (Revelation 21:16).

Scripture does not tell us whether the city is shaped like a cube, a vast mountain or something beyond present architecture. Neither does it explicitly say that it contains thousands of floors. We must therefore distinguish revealed truth from sanctified imagination.

Yet if the height is literal, the city will rise far beyond the atmosphere of the present earth. A height of approximately 2,200 kilometres could theoretically accommodate more than 200,000 levels even if each were ten metres high.

There could be glorious landscapes above landscapes: gardens, rivers, lakes, forests, homes, gathering places and immense open terraces. Each level might contain flowering parks, fruit trees, precious stones, living waters and views of breathtaking beauty.

The city’s base alone would cover almost five million square kilometres. Even before considering its immense height, it would possess room for millions—and indeed billions—of redeemed human beings and innumerable angels.

Nothing will be cramped, oppressive or dark. There will be no overcrowded tower blocks. If the city possesses numerous levels, each could be an open world of light, nature and divine glory.

The redeemed will also build their own homes throughout the renewed earth. The Holy City will be the capital and throne of God, but the entire earth—and ultimately the universe—will be open before us.

Perfect friendship and love

“There the loves and sympathies which God Himself has planted in the soul shall find truest and sweetest exercise. The pure communion with holy beings, the harmonious social life with the blessed angels and with the faithful ones of all ages… these are among the pleasures of the after-life.” (The Great Controversy, p. 677).

There will be no jealousy, suspicion, prejudice, manipulation or rejection. No loving intention will be misunderstood. No one will gossip, use another person selfishly or secretly wish to appear superior.

Friendships will continually deepen without becoming possessive. We will know others fully while always recognising their unique value in God’s family.

We will meet Adam and Eve and hear their experiences. We may speak with Enoch about walking with God, Noah about the Flood, Abraham about faith, Joseph about providence, Moses about God’s glory, David about forgiveness, Daniel about prayer, Mary about raising Jesus, John about leaning upon Christ and Paul about carrying the gospel throughout the Roman world.

We will also meet faithful people whose names were unknown to history: mothers who prayed for their children, prisoners who remained faithful, missionaries whose graves were forgotten and quiet believers who revealed Christ’s love under difficult circumstances.

Every day may bring new friends. Even after a million years, there will remain lives to understand, stories to hear and friendships to deepen.

Fellowship with angels

The redeemed will enjoy harmonious fellowship with angels. Perhaps we will meet those who protected us during our earthly lives. They may explain how they guarded us from dangers we never saw, strengthened us during temptation and cooperated in answering our prayers.

An angel may ask, “Do you remember the day when your plans failed and you were terribly disappointed? Let me show you what would have happened if God had allowed you to continue.”

Another may reveal how a desperate prayer set in motion events we did not recognise for many years.

We will finally understand that we were never alone. The stories of divine providence will fill us with wonder and gratitude. We may spend ages listening to angels explain how God guided His children through the great controversy.

Jesus and the song of everlasting love

Imagine the angelic choir becoming silent while Jesus sings alone. His song tells the story of the Father’s everlasting love, the incarnation, Gethsemane, Calvary and humanity’s restoration.

Every redeemed person realises afresh that the One singing before them once hung upon a cross, apparently forsaken, so that they could live.

Then we see the scars in His hands.

Those scars will remain the only marks of suffering in the entire universe. Flowers will never fade, bodies will never age and wounds will never hurt, but Christ will forever carry the evidence of what infinite love was willing to endure.

The angels can praise God for His holiness, wisdom and goodness, but the redeemed will sing of deliverance by personal experience. We will know what it means to have been condemned and forgiven, enslaved and liberated, lost and found, dead and restored to everlasting life.

Every Sabbath will provide new reasons to sing. The story of the cross will never become old because its depths can never be exhausted.

The greatest pleasure of eternal life

The New Jerusalem will be unimaginably beautiful. Cosmic travel will be thrilling. Perfect health, glorious food, astonishing senses, animals, music, learning and friendship will bring unending happiness.

But none of these will be the greatest joy.

The supreme treasure of eternal life will be communion with God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them” (Revelation 21:3). “They shall see His face” (Revelation 22:4).

We will no longer wonder whether God has heard us. We will never struggle to perceive His love through pain, silence or unanswered questions. We will stand within His visible presence and experience His love flowing through every part of our being.

His love will be pure, sweet, powerful and overwhelming, yet it will never destroy our individuality. It will make us more completely the people He created us to be.

We will look into the face of Jesus and know that He understood every pain we experienced. We will sit at His feet and ask the questions that remained unanswered throughout our earthly lives.

Why was this trial permitted? Why did that prayer seem unanswered? Why did God lead me along such a difficult road?

Jesus will unfold the hidden history of providence. We will see that infinite love was present even when we could not recognise it. Every mystery will find its answer in the character of God.

The deepest pleasure of eternity will be to know Him and to feel, without the slightest shadow of doubt, that the infinite God knows and loves us personally.

Ever-increasing knowledge, love and happiness

At every moment we will be perfectly happy, yet our capacity for happiness will continually expand. God will fill that enlarged capacity and then enlarge it again.

After ten thousand years we will love Him more deeply than on the first day. After a million years, new revelations of His character will awaken still greater admiration. After ages beyond calculation, we will continue saying, “We never knew that God was this wonderful!”

There will be no final lesson, no last discovery and no end to joy.

A glory worth every earthly trial

“We do not expect rest here. No, no. The way to heaven is a cross-bearing way … We will not complain… We will rejoice in tribulation and keep in mind the recompense of reward, the ‘far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory’… The curtain has been lifted. I have seen the rich reward laid up for the saints. I have had a taste of the joys of the world to come, and it has spoiled this world for me. My affections, my interests, hopes, my all is in heaven. I long to see the King in His beauty, Him whom my soul loveth” (Reflecting Christ, p. 350).

Compared with eternity, the longest earthly trial is only a moment. “Our light affliction, which is but for a moment,” is preparing for us “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

This does not mean that suffering earns heaven. Eternal life cannot be purchased by obedience, sacrifice, suffering or human goodness. It is the free gift of God in Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8–10).

How can we be there?

The most important question is not whether we will have visible wings, how quickly we will travel or how many levels the New Jerusalem may possess.

The most important question is: How may I be there?

Christ entered our fallen human family as our Brother and Representative. He lived the perfect life humanity failed to live. He took our sins, condemned nature and death to the cross. In Him, our old corporate life was brought to an end, and in His resurrection humanity was raised to a new life (Romans 5:18; 6:6–11; 2 Corinthians 5:14–21).

God has already provided salvation in Christ. We cannot create it, improve it or add anything to it. We receive it by true faith.

True faith is more than agreeing that Jesus exists. It is a living, daily union with Him. We come to Him each morning, feed upon His Word, speak with Him in prayer, surrender our plans and allow the Holy Spirit to reproduce Christ’s unselfish love within us.

We are told to “work out” our salvation, not because human effort earns it, but because “it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12–13).

We do not obey so that God might begin loving us. We obey because His everlasting love has reached and transformed our hearts. We do not overcome sin to purchase admission to heaven. We overcome through Christ because heaven has already been freely given to us in Him.

The Christian life is not an anxious attempt to make ourselves worthy. It is a continual response to the One who loved us while we were His enemies and gave Himself to make us His children.

Eternity has only begun

One day the redeemed will stand upon the new earth and realise that their boldest dreams never approached the reality.

We may see children flying above mountains and gathering flowers that never fade. We may live in homes surrounded by gardens of living colour and fragrance. We may examine the smallest structures of matter and gaze across star systems with undimmed vision.

We may swim through crystal seas beside dolphins, communicate with animals, taste fruits unknown upon earth and visit inhabited worlds beyond the reach of present imagination.

We may walk through the immense New Jerusalem, meet the faithful of every age, embrace friends restored from death and speak with the angels who protected us.

Every Sabbath we may gather with delegates from across the universe, listen to the Father and the Son, feel the sweet presence of the Holy Spirit and join the angelic orchestra in songs celebrating the everlasting love revealed at the cross.

Yet even after millions of years, there will remain new worlds to visit, new creatures to discover, new friendships to form, new songs to sing and new revelations of God to receive.

All the treasures of the universe will be open before us. Every power will develop, every pure ambition will find fulfilment and every height reached will reveal a still greater height.

Flowers will never fade. Bodies will never age. Friends will never separate. Love will never diminish. Joy will never end.

Above all, we will see the face of God. We will live within the visible presence of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, continually receiving richer revelations of their infinite, sweet and overwhelming love.

Then we will look into the face of Jesus, see the everlasting scars in His hands and know that every trial through which He carried us was worth enduring.

We will cast our crowns before Him and confess our love gratitude and admiration.

While the music of angels and redeemed humanity fills the universe, while suns and systems display the Creator’s glory and every living thing declares that God is love, we will realise something breathtaking: Eternity has only begun.

Will There Be Intimate Pleasures on the New Earth?

Some time ago, I was telling a man about the wonders of eternal life—the perfect health and happiness of the redeemed, the breathtaking beauty of the New Earth, journeys through God’s universe and, above all, the joy of living with Jesus. After listening for a while, he asked me a very direct question: “But will sexual pleasures with very attractive women be allowed there?” His question may sound inappropriate, but it expresses an honest concern people have. For many men and women, sexual intimacy is the strongest and most desirable physical pleasure in this life. Therefore, heaven may not seem very attractive if it is presented as a place deprived of sexual pleasure.

This helps explain why the Islamic picture of Paradise appeals to many men. The Qur’an promises faithful men beautiful, pure companions called houris, described as “pearls well-protected” (Qur’an 56:22–23). The familiar promise of “seventy-two virgins” is not found in the Qur’an but comes from later hadith traditions.

Christianity offers something true and far greater than unlimited pleasure with beautiful women: complete transformation and a happiness beyond anything we can now imagine.

When the Sadducees asked Jesus which of seven husbands would be married to the same woman after the resurrection, He answered: “In the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven” (Matthew 22:30). Ellen White confirmed this: “Neither those who shall be raised from the dead, nor those who shall be translated without seeing death, will marry or be given in marriage. They will be as the angels of God, members of the royal family” (Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 173).

Jesus clearly said that marriage will not continue in its present form after the resurrection. However, He did not specifically say that the redeemed will experience no intimate sensations or other intense physical pleasures. The absence of marriage does not, by itself, prove that every pleasure now associated with intimacy will be absent. The Bible simply does not reveal every ability of our glorified bodies.

Nevertheless, because Scripture places sexual intercourse within marriage, it is reasonable to believe that intercourse and reproduction will not continue on the New Earth. Jesus also explained that the redeemed “cannot die anymore” (Luke 20:36). In a world without death, there will be no need to produce new generations to replace those who die. We should therefore avoid claiming more than God has revealed. There may be no sexual intercourse, but we do not know what new, transformed or far greater physical and emotional pleasures God has prepared for us.

Sexual pleasure itself is not sinful or shameful. It was God who created Adam and Eve as male and female, united them in marriage and declared everything He had made “very good” (Genesis 1:27–31; 2:24–25). God gave married couples the ability to experience powerful physical pleasure, emotional closeness and loving intimacy. He created every nerve, sense and emotion involved in that experience. God is not the enemy of pleasure; He is its Creator.

Unfortunately, sin has greatly corrupted this beautiful gift. What God intended to express faithful, self-giving love is frequently separated from love and turned into lust, pornography, adultery, exploitation or compulsive self-gratification. Because sexual stimulation is so powerful, both women and men can become controlled by it, damaging their relationships, responsibilities, emotional wellbeing and spiritual lives. Yet the problem is not the pleasure God created but its selfish, sinful and uncontrolled misuse.

Suppose, however, that there will be no sexual intercourse or sexual ecstasy on the New Earth. Would eternal life be less exciting or satisfying? Certainly not! The same loving God who created sexual pleasure can give us pleasures infinitely greater than anything we can experience now. If He could create such intense enjoyment in our present weak, mortal bodies, imagine what He can give us in perfect, immortal and glorified bodies!

We often make the mistake of imagining ourselves in heaven with exactly the same desires we have now, permanently deprived of something we desperately want. That is not what the Bible teaches. Jesus will not merely place us in a better environment; He “will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body” (Philippians 3:21). Our bodies, minds, emotions and desires will be made perfect. We will not spend eternity frustrated, painfully longing for something God has removed. Every pure desire will find complete satisfaction in the wonderful life He has prepared for us.

A small child may believe that sweets or a favourite toy offer the greatest happiness imaginable. The child cannot yet understand the much deeper joys of love, friendship, knowledge, creativity and meaningful achievement. In the same way, our present inability to imagine a pleasure greater than sexual ecstasy does not prove that no greater pleasure exists. It only reveals how limited our present experience and imagination are.

Sexual intimacy offers more than physical pleasure. It expresses the desire to be loved, accepted, understood and deeply united with another person. On the New Earth, these longings will not disappear—they will be fulfilled far more completely. No one will feel lonely, rejected, unattractive, unwanted or emotionally neglected. Husbands and wives will not become strangers or forget the love they shared. Everything pure, tender and beautiful in their relationship will remain, while jealousy, possessiveness, disappointment, misunderstanding and fear of separation will disappear. Every redeemed person will belong to one perfectly loving family.

Earthly marriage also points beyond itself to the greater union between Christ and His redeemed people (Ephesians 5:25–32; Revelation 19:7–9). Marriage is a beautiful sign of that relationship, but when we reach the glorious reality to which it points, the sign will no longer be needed in the same way. The disappearance of earthly marriage will not mean less love, intimacy or happiness. It will mean a love and closeness so deep, pure and complete that we cannot presently understand them.

The same God who gave Adam and Eve the wonderful gift of intimate pleasure because He loved them will not become less generous in eternity. He will not remove one powerful pleasure and leave His children feeling forever deprived. If sexual intercourse is absent, God will give us something infinitely deeper, purer and more exciting. We may not yet know what those pleasures will be because we have never experienced anything comparable to them.

Inspired Glimpses of the Heavenly Reward

“Human language is inadequate to describe the reward of the righteous. There will be no more tears, no funeral trains. The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick.” The Great Controversy, p. 675

“On the mount was a glorious temple, and about it were seven other mountains, on which grew roses and lilies. And I saw the little ones climb, or, if they chose, use their little wings and fly to the top of the mountains, and pluck the never-fading flowers.” Early Writings, p. 19

“We do not expect rest here. No, no. The way to heaven is a cross-bearing way … We will not complain… We will rejoice in tribulation and keep in mind the recompense of reward, the ‘far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory’… The curtain has been lifted. I have seen the rich reward laid up for the saints. I have had a taste of the joys of the world to come, and it has spoiled this world for me. My affections, my interests, hopes, my all is in heaven. I long to see the King in His beauty, Him whom my soul loveth.” Reflecting Christ, p. 350

“With undimmed vision they gaze upon the glory of creation—suns and stars and systems, all in their appointed order circling the throne of Deity. Upon all things, from the least to the greatest, the Creator’s name is written, and in all are the riches of His power displayed.” The Great Controversy, p. 677

“The herb, the flower, the tree, will afford subjects for investigation. In all the visible creation, in earth and sea and sky, we shall read the name of God. The musical birds will sing their songs of praise to their Creator.” Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 189

“I saw another field full of all kinds of flowers, and as I plucked them, I cried out, ‘They will never fade.’ Next I saw a field of tall grass, most glorious to behold; it was living green and had a reflection of silver and gold, as it waved proudly to the glory of King Jesus. Then we entered a field full of all kinds of beasts—the lion, the lamb, the leopard, and the wolf, all together in perfect union.” Early Writings, pp. 17–18

“Then we entered a wood, not like the dark woods we have here; no, no; but light, and all over glorious; the branches of the trees waved to and fro, and we all cried out, ‘We will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods.’” Early Writings, p. 18

“Then commenced the jubilee, when the land should rest. I saw the pious slave rise in triumph and victory and shake off the chains that bound him, while his wicked master was in confusion and knew not what to do; for the wicked could not understand the words of the voice of God. Soon appeared the great white cloud. It looked more lovely than ever before. On it sat the Son of man. At first we did not see Jesus on the cloud, but as it drew near the earth we could behold His lovely person. This cloud, when it first appeared, was the sign of the Son of man in heaven. The voice of the Son of God called forth the sleeping saints, clothed with glorious immortality. The living saints were changed in a moment and were caught up with them into the cloudy chariot. It looked all over glorious as it rolled upward. On either side of the chariot were wings, and beneath it wheels. And as the chariot rolled upward, the wheels cried, ‘Holy,’ and the wings, as they moved, cried, ‘Holy,’ and the retinue of holy angels around the cloud cried, ‘Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!’ And the saints in the cloud cried, ‘Glory! Alleluia!’ And the chariot rolled upward to the Holy City. Jesus threw open the gates of the golden city and led us in. Here we were made welcome, for we had kept the ‘commandments of God,’ and had a ‘right to the tree of life.’” Early Writings, p. 35