"New Glories"

There are movies I have seen many times that I would like to be able to see again for the first time. "It's a Wonderful Life" comes to mind. I'd love to have another fresh experience of the gamut of emotion the film elicits, from the anticipation of George Bailey's hopes, to the disappointment when they are continually dashed, to the disgust at Mr. Potter's evil and injustice, to the despair of George's experience of what it would be like had he never lived, to the final joy and vindication when his years of self sacrifice result in confirmation that in the terms that matter, he was "the richest man in town."

We aren't allowed renewed first experiences of such things in this life. I suspect, however, that eternity in Heaven with the Lord Jesus Christ will be quite different.

"He that sat upon the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new" (Revelation 21:5; the verb "make" in this passage is in the present, indicative active of the Greek language, implying an ongoing making of all things new).

God is an infinite being whose character, nature, and way are inexhaustible. In His direct presence, new glories will forever spring forth, causing even the familiar and before experienced to express some new wonder of love, holiness, wisdom, righteousness, joy and peace. Our experience of Him will never become stale, nor will we ever sense even the briefest moment of boredom as "the unsearchable riches of Christ" call us to journey ever more deeply into the unlimited vein of the triune Person of God (Ephesians 3:8). All things will forever seem new because new glories will never cease to flow forth His unsearchable riches.

Our yet to be glorified sensibilities are presently unable to process such continual creativity. In Heaven, however, we will be ready and prepared for the wonders to come. "We shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is" (I John 3:2). Thus, the most well worn path along some street of gold will eternally thrill us as the light of the Lord shines forth with a new ray of Divine splendor. Indeed, perhaps one saint will say to another, "Hmmm, I don't think we've ever been this way before." The other saint may respond, "Oh yes we have brother, many times." But then he may smile and add, "Come to think of it, however, no, we haven't."

"Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."

(II Peter 3:13)