All Things NewShembull

What’s in Heaven?

I like good Indian food. Scratch that. I like all Indian food, as well as Korean, Thai, Malaysian…I could go on.

I used to think that cultures, including food and languages, would disappear on the new earth.

But Scripture doesn’t seem to teach this. In fact, Revelation 21:26 says that people will bring the best of each culture to God.

The resurrected Jesus ate food (John 21:9). We can expect to eat food on the new earth too. And there’ll be lots of culture to enjoy. “On the new earth we will see the real earth, which includes the good things not only of God’s natural creation but also of mankind’s creative expression to God’s glory. On the New Earth, no good thing will be destroyed,” [1] writes Randy Alcorn.

We can throw out our bucket lists because we’ll have forever to enjoy not just God’s blessings but the best of human culture. We’ll get to eat amazing food and take in some cultures we’ve never had time to experience in this short life.

Want to learn a new language? You’ll have the time.

That amazing meal I ate at the Indian restaurant a couple of months ago? It doesn’t compare with the food and culture we’ll get to experience on the new earth.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You won’t destroy human culture. Instead, You will perfect it and celebrate it. Amen.

Reflection: Does it surprise you to know that elements of human culture will enter the new earth? What do you look forward to experiencing?

[1] Alcorn, Randy. Heaven: A Comprehensive Guide to Everything the Bible Says About Our Eternal Home (Clear Answers to 44 Real Questions About the Afterlife, Angels, Resurrection, ... and the Kingdom of God) (pp. 349). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.