Will the consummate state of heaven be HERE on a renewed/new earth....or will it be UP THERE where Christ is currently? Some say it will not be "here" but "up there" because Christ is currently "there" preparing a place for his disciples and will come again so that where he is we can be also (John 14), because the heavens will be dissolved and elements melted away (2 Peter 3), and because heaven/earth will fly away from the Lord's face in the day of judgment (Rev 20).
However, some say that the consummate state will be DOWN HERE on a renewed earth, and that the Christian is a pilgrim of sorts establishing a colony until one day the intermediate state of heaven comes to earth and the earth is renewed and we all dwell here forever.
It seems like the former definition is what the Westminster divines had in mind. Looking at WLC 53 about Christ's ascension, it says "visibly went up into the highest heavens, there to receive gifts for men, to raise up our affections thither, and to prepare a place for us, where himself is, and shall continue till his second coming at the end of the world" Question 90 says:
Q. 90. What shall be done to the righteous at the day of judgment?
A. At the day of judgment, the righteous, being caught up to Christ in the clouds, shall be set on his right hand, and there openly acknowledged and acquitted, shall join with him in the judging of reprobate angels and men, and shall be received into heaven, where they shall be fully and forever freed from all sin and misery; filled with inconceivable joys, made perfectly holy and happy both in body and soul, in the company of innumerable saints and holy angels, but especially in the immediate vision and fruition of God the Father, of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, to all eternity. And this is the perfect and full communion which the members of the invisible church shall enjoy with Christ in glory, at the resurrection and day of judgment.
Also, from I Thessalonians (about us being caught up in the clouds), it seems the consummate state will be "up there" rather than "down here." In that case, maybe the people who believe the former (heaven is "up there") would believe the "new earth" is referring moreso to the time of the New Covenant? Just a thought.
However, some say that the consummate state will be DOWN HERE on a renewed earth, and that the Christian is a pilgrim of sorts establishing a colony until one day the intermediate state of heaven comes to earth and the earth is renewed and we all dwell here forever.
It seems like the former definition is what the Westminster divines had in mind. Looking at WLC 53 about Christ's ascension, it says "visibly went up into the highest heavens, there to receive gifts for men, to raise up our affections thither, and to prepare a place for us, where himself is, and shall continue till his second coming at the end of the world" Question 90 says:
Q. 90. What shall be done to the righteous at the day of judgment?
A. At the day of judgment, the righteous, being caught up to Christ in the clouds, shall be set on his right hand, and there openly acknowledged and acquitted, shall join with him in the judging of reprobate angels and men, and shall be received into heaven, where they shall be fully and forever freed from all sin and misery; filled with inconceivable joys, made perfectly holy and happy both in body and soul, in the company of innumerable saints and holy angels, but especially in the immediate vision and fruition of God the Father, of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, to all eternity. And this is the perfect and full communion which the members of the invisible church shall enjoy with Christ in glory, at the resurrection and day of judgment.
Also, from I Thessalonians (about us being caught up in the clouds), it seems the consummate state will be "up there" rather than "down here." In that case, maybe the people who believe the former (heaven is "up there") would believe the "new earth" is referring moreso to the time of the New Covenant? Just a thought.