1. CONTRASTING LIVES Heaven and Earth

2. INTRODUCTION Let us consider various similarities and differences between this life and the next. Let us consider various similarities and differences between this life and the next. Similarities Similarities Awareness Awareness Suitability Suitability Differences Differences Relationships Relationships Existence Existence Exaltation Exaltation

3. SIMILARITIES = AWARENESS In this life, there is mental and moral awareness (Gen. 1:26–27). In this life, there is mental and moral awareness (Gen. 1:26–27). Man’s awareness extends beyond the grave (Eccles. 3:16–22; 12:6–7; Luke 16:19–31; Rev. 6:9–11). Man’s awareness extends beyond the grave (Eccles. 3:16–22; 12:6–7; Luke 16:19–31; Rev. 6:9–11).

4. SIMILARITIES = SUITABILITY In the beginning, God created the physical universe, and gave man a body suitable for his earthly existence (Gen. 1:26–31; 2:4–9). In the beginning, God created the physical universe, and gave man a body suitable for his earthly existence (Gen. 1:26–31; 2:4–9). In eternity, God will welcome the faithful into His eternal habitations, and will give us bodies suitable for a heavenly existence (John 14:1–6; 1 Cor. 15:35–49; 2 Cor. 4:16–5:10; 1 John 3:1–3). In eternity, God will welcome the faithful into His eternal habitations, and will give us bodies suitable for a heavenly existence (John 14:1–6; 1 Cor. 15:35–49; 2 Cor. 4:16–5:10; 1 John 3:1–3).

5. DIFFERENCES = RELATIONSHIPS There is no marriage in the resurrection (Matt. 22:23–33, esp. vs. 30; Mark 12:18–27, esp. vs.25; Luke 20:27–40, esp. vs.35-36). There is no marriage in the resurrection (Matt. 22:23–33, esp. vs. 30; Mark 12:18–27, esp. vs.25; Luke 20:27–40, esp. vs.35-36). Clearly, the imagery of Isaiah 65:17-25 does not apply to such a heavenly realm, but finds spiritualized fulfillment in the Messianic Age (Acts 3:17-26).

6. DIFFERENCES = EXISTENCE Death will be abolished (1 Cor. 15:20–28, esp. vs. 25- 26; 2 Tim. 1:8–14, esp. vs. 10; Rev. 20:11–15, esp. vs. 14; 21:1–4, esp. vs. 4). Death will be abolished (1 Cor. 15:20–28, esp. vs. 25- 26; 2 Tim. 1:8–14, esp. vs. 10; Rev. 20:11–15, esp. vs. 14; 21:1–4, esp. vs. 4). The sorrows and sufferings of this present life will be no more (Rev. 7:16–17; 21:3–4; 22:1–4). The sorrows and sufferings of this present life will be no more (Rev. 7:16–17; 21:3–4; 22:1–4).

7. DIFFERENCES =EXALTATION In eternity, the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father (Matt. 13:36–43, esp. vs. 43), and will inhabit a glorified body (1 Cor. 15:42– 57). In eternity, the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father (Matt. 13:36–43, esp. vs. 43), and will inhabit a glorified body (1 Cor. 15:42– 57).