The understatement is considerable: There are prophetically related concerns of which we are not yet fully apprised.
In his first epistle, John writes: "The world does not know us, because it did not know Him." Indeed, with regard to our own comprehension, "It has not appeared as yet what we shall be," But, the apostle continues, "we know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him." Nor is the effecting of such likeness explained other than its becoming the result of our "see[ing] Him just as He is" (I John 3:2). Again, there is much concerning which our knowledge is limited.
This all comes to mind frequently in addressing additional concerns related to the future. Residing, as we do, in a region where "Southern Gospel" music is popular, we often hear singing about the wonderful mansion awaiting our arrival (the term is actually "abode" - Christ's words here referring to one's place in the Father's "house" or family), walking on "Halleluiah Street," playing one's golden harp, greeting departed neighbors, etc. Once again, it is easy for understanding to drift here.
Peter perceived the believer's future in terms of a coming "restoration of all things" - in other words, renewing of that which had been lost in the Fall (Acts 3:21; cf. Jesus' use of the term "regeneration," Matt. 19:28).
This introduces several points for consideration. In mankind's original state there was, or course, no sickness, death, violence or disorder. The setting involved more than mere absence of negatives, however. Humankind was blessed with an order in which the relational - God and man, man and God, and mankind in relation to one another - produced a state of total peace and fulfillment.
Furthermore, (and we have sometimes missed this point), mankind was assigned roles and outlets of satisfying achievement - dominion over the earth, maintenance of the Garden, scheduled times of divine fellowship, etc. - all proving conducive to a sense of the productive and meaningful. Such, indeed, constituted a reflection of man's creation in the likeness of the One who Himself took pleasure in creating the Cosmos (Job 38:4-11).
Is there more to it all than wearing crowns, "climbing golden stairs" and strolling Halleluiah Avenue? We would suggest so.
Burl Ratzsch
