A New Heavens and the New Earth
Jesus teaches what it will be like at the end of time. For those who are married it sounds a little worrisome there will be no need for marriage. We jump to wrong conclusions. We must remember we participate in creation through the sacrament of marriage. There will no longer be the need for procreation at the end of time. We will all be sons and daughters of God. We do profess the resurrection each we recite and pray the Creed at mass.
So, what does that mean for us now.
The catechism gives us some direction. The Kingdom of God will come in its fullness. All of the righteous, those in heaven will reign with Christ, glorified in body and soul. At death our soul is taken up to God. The body and soul were not created to be separate. That is why God promises that our souls will be joined with a glorified body at the end of time.
In this way the Church will be perfected with Christ as our head. This mysterious renewal is known in scripture as a “new heavens and a new earth.” This renewal is also known as the New Jerusalem. In this Jerusalem there will be no pain or mourning. From the entrance of sin in the world our world as we know it is passing away.
God has willed that we all be one in Christ. We who are one in Christ will be known as the redeemed, the bride of Christ. The beatific vision, God, will be an ever-flowing well-spring of happiness, peace, and mutual communion. Our visible universe will be transformed to its original state sharing in the glorification of Christ. This new dwelling and a new earth will fill and surpass all the desires of peace in our hearts.
There is a resurrection. There is no marriage because we no longer die. We will know our spouse. God is not God of the dead but God of the living. Jesus’ resurrection made it possible for us to rise from the dead. The everlasting life promised by Jesus is a bodily life when our souls are reunited, and we will be with God. All of creation will be renewed.
May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen