Editorial April 14, 1923 Issue

"A new heaven and a new earth"

Albert F. Gilmore

When the Revelator, in his spiritual exaltation, declared, "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away," he signalized the fulfillment of the expectation voiced by the prophet Isaiah centuries before as the Word of God. Peter, anticipating the new heaven as the spiritual state where the reign of righteousness shall be dominant, also refers to this promise. Here, then, is the Biblical prophecy of the coming to mankind of a better condition, the "new Jerusalem," wherein is to be realized a state of existence in which there will be less of hardship and of sorrow, and a larger sense of the bliss and spiritual joy which characterize the true state of man. Is not the question which naturally arises this: Does this new heaven and new earth—this "new Jerusalem"—relate to a future, far-off day and to a state to be gained only through the experience called death, or is it a present possibility?

Christian Scientists are profoundly grateful for the understanding that now is the time to realize, not a part, but all of the conditions belonging to that exalted state; that God's perfect gifts to His beloved are neither delayed nor limited, but continue throughout all time—yesterday, to-day, and forever. God's munificence is not postponed, nor circumscribed; but bestowed in its fullness of perfection, without respect of persons and without limitation. Is it not manifest that Christian Scientists have before them the responsibility of entering upon this inheritance, of occupying the ground, as it were, in order that the blessedness of spiritual living may be realized, and the good news passed on to those who have not, perchance, had the same degree of spiritual awakening?

Mrs. Eddy hints at the wonderful blessings to be experienced in a manner that excites one's expectancy. On page 91 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," she declares: "The Revelator tells us of 'a new heaven and a new earth.' Have you ever pictured this heaven and earth, inhabited by beings under the control of supreme wisdom?" Here is a glimpse of the reality. Heaven and earth under the guidance of spiritual wisdom! What but perfect harmony and the beauty of holiness could result from such relations to divine wisdom! But do we not learn in Christian Science that already, now, does God, infinite Mind, control His universe of perfect ideas with "no variableness, neither shadow of turning"? God does govern now the only universe, so that the present reality is a perfect creation, governed by infinite wisdom. Such is the fact. Is it not incumbent upon us to demonstrate our present knowledge of it?

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