Heaven, Resurrection, and the World God Is Making New
Scroll to read a recap of Pastor Lee Cummings’ sermon from November 30, 2025!
When people ask what happens after we die, most of us answer confidently: “We go to heaven.” It’s not a wrong answer—but it’s not the whole picture. What Jesus promises is actually far more beautiful and real than the idea of floating clouds in the sky. Scripture points us to something bigger: the age to come, when God makes all things new.
A lot of us carry fear or uncertainty around what happens after death. Maybe we wonder if we’ve been “good enough.” Maybe we fear that nothing happens at all. Those questions are human and honest. But for those who follow Christ, we don’t cling to wishful thinking—we have a promise of what’s to come.
Heaven
Heaven is absolutely real. Scripture says in 2 Corinthians 5:8 that to be “absent from the body” is to be “present with the Lord.” Jesus even told the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with me in paradise.”
The moment a believer takes their last breath here, they open their eyes in the presence of God. Our loved ones in Christ are there too. Theologians call this the “intermediate state” for a reason. It’s beautiful, but it isn’t the final destination; it’s the waiting room before we return with Christ.
The Day Everything Changes
There will come a moment in history when the Father turns to Jesus and says, “It’s time.” After two thousand years seated at the right hand of the Father, Jesus will stand up and step back into human history. And when He does, everything shifts.
First Thessalonians 4:16–17 describes it this way:
“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command,
with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God.
And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left,
will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”
Here’s what that means:
The dead in Christ rise first. Every believer who has died will have their bodies raised, transformed, and glorified. Their spirits (which have been with God) unite with their resurrected bodies.
The living are transformed. Believers who are alive at that moment will be caught up to meet Jesus, and their bodies will be instantly changed.
We return with Jesus. Together, every saint, resurrected and renewed, comes back with Jesus to reign with Him forever.
Your Body Matters to God
The belief that the body is something to escape, called Gnosticism, was actually one of the first heresies the early church fought against. The body is not a prison. God made it on purpose, and He intends to redeem it.
The Apostles’ Creed puts it plainly: “I believe in the resurrection of the body.” Your resurrected body will be like Jesus’ after His resurrection: still you, but glorified. Recognizable, whole, no more sickness, limits, or decay. It will be the truest, healthiest, most radiant version of yourself.
Standing Before the Throne
Every person will stand before God one day. For believers, this isn’t about whether we’re saved—that was settled at the cross. Romans 14:12 simply tells us that each of us will give an account of our lives. This moment is about reward and responsibility.
Jesus’ parable of the talents reminds us that what we do with our lives matters. Every opportunity, resource, and moment is an investment in eternity. In the coming Kingdom, there will be honor, authority, and reward, far beyond what this world celebrates.
For those who reject Christ, the judgment is final. That reality should move us, not toward fear, but toward compassion and urgency for those who don’t yet know Him.
The New Heavens and the New Earth
Revelation 21 describes the end of the story: a new heaven and a new earth, with the New Jerusalem coming down. God’s dwelling place is with humanity. The goal was never for us to escape earth; the goal was always for heaven to fill it.
Everything broken by sin will be healed. This is not the end of the world—it’s the beginning of the world as it was always meant to be.
If that is our future, then everything we do now carries eternal weight.
The resurrection of the body and the life everlasting aren’t just lines in an old creed. They’re our hope, anchor, and the future God has promised us.
Tap to watch Pastor Lee Cummings’ full sermon on Youtube.
Here's a 5-day devotional guide based on this sermon:
Day 1: Present with the Lord
Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:1–10
Devotional: To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. This truth transforms how we face mortality. Death is not an ending but a transition into the immediate presence of Jesus. For believers, the moment we take our last breath here, our eyes open in paradise. This isn't a distant, uncertain hope but a guaranteed promise secured by Christ's resurrection. The intermediate state isn't sleep or unconsciousness but full awareness in God's Presence, joining that great cloud of witnesses. This reality should remove our fear of death and fill us with confident hope. Today, remember that your loved ones in Christ aren't lost—they're more alive than ever, awaiting the glorious reunion to come.
Day 2: The Trumpet Will Sound
Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18
Devotional: The return of Christ will be the most dramatic moment in human history. When the trumpet sounds, the dead in Christ will rise first, their bodies transformed and reunited with their spirits. Then believers alive on earth will be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air. This isn't mythology or wishful thinking—it's the promised future that should shape our present. The Apostle Paul tells us to encourage one another with these words. Why? Because this hope changes everything. It means our labor isn't in vain, our suffering isn't forever, and our separation from loved ones is temporary. Live today with the expectation that Jesus could return at any moment, and let that urgency fuel your passion for the Gospel.
Day 3: Resurrection Bodies
Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:35–58
Devotional: Your body matters to God. Christianity isn't about escaping physicality but redeeming it. Jesus rose with a physical body—glorified, powerful, and eternal. Your resurrection body will be like His: imperishable, glorious, powerful, and spiritual. The limitations, weaknesses, and decay you experience now will be completely removed. You'll be you, but the best version you were always meant to be. This isn't Greek philosophy promising escape from matter; it's biblical theology promising the restoration of all things. Your current struggles with aging, illness, and physical limitations are temporary. Don't despise your body or neglect it—it's the temple of the Holy Spirit and destined for resurrection glory. Live today caring for your body while remembering it's not your final form.
Day 4: Standing Before the Judgment Seat
Reading: Romans 14:10–13; 2 Corinthians 5:9–11
Devotional: Every believer will stand before Christ's judgment seat—not to determine salvation, but to receive rewards for faithfulness. This isn't about fear but accountability. What are you doing with what God has given you? Your time, talents, treasures, and opportunities are investments for eternity. The person celebrated in this age may not be honored in the age to come, while the faithful intercessor nobody noticed will shine with glory. This truth should radically reorient your priorities. Are you living for temporary applause or eternal reward? Are you burying your talents or multiplying them for the Kingdom? Today, evaluate your stewardship. Live intentionally, knowing that one day you'll give an account to Jesus himself for how you invested what He entrusted to you.
Day 5: New Heavens and New Earth
Reading: Revelation 21:1–7
Devotional: Heaven isn't our final destination—the new heavens and new earth are. God's plan isn't to evacuate us from creation but to renew all things. The New Jerusalem descends from heaven to earth, and God's dwelling place is with humanity. This means eternity won't be floating on clouds but living in resurrected bodies on a restored earth in perfect relationship with God and others. No more death, mourning, crying, or pain. The former things will pass away like a faint memory. This is the future that makes present suffering bearable and motivates sacrificial Gospel work. We're not just saving souls for heaven—we're preparing people for the coming Kingdom. Live today with Kingdom perspective, knowing that every act of faithfulness, every tear shed, every sacrifice made contributes to God's eternal purposes.
There’s an opportunity for you to grow in your spiritual journey, build meaningful community, and truly get connected. At Radiant Church, we’re passionate about helping people grow in faith, encounter the Presence of God, and be part of a church grounded in Spirit and truth.