Jesus helps us grasp the promise of our eternal home, referring to his future work of redemption as “the renewal of all things.” In Matthew 19:28, he tells the disciples, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

As wonderful as heaven is, the ultimate destiny for every Christian is the new heavens and new earth, which Peter and John describe as a place of righteousness and restored innocence (2 Pet. 3:10-13; Rev. 21-22). Christ returns, resurrects and judges all people, establishes his kingdom in fullness, creates new heavens (atmospheric and stellar) and a new earth, and gives us roles to play in the administration of his eternal kingdom.