Dictionary of Bible Themes: 4209 land, spiritual aspects of

4209 land, spiritual aspects of

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 4000 Creation » 4200 Places » 4206 land » 4209 land, spiritual aspects of

Scripture presents land in a spiritual perspective. The whole earth, once perfect but now contaminated by the fall, will one day be renewed. There will be a new heaven and earth where life is abundant and God's presence is experienced for ever.

Eden: the original good land

Genesis 2:8-9

Paradise lost: expulsion from the garden

Genesis 3:17-19 See also Romans 8:19-20

The promised land: an echo of Eden

Deuteronomy 8:7-10 See also Exodus 3:8,17; Exodus 13:5; Leviticus 20:24; Numbers 13:27; Deuteronomy 6:3; Deuteronomy 11:8-12; Deuteronomy 26:9; Deuteronomy 27:3

The land of Israel after the exile

Promise of a return to the land

Amos 9:14-15 See also Isaiah 14:1; Isaiah 35:1-10; Ezekiel 20:41-42; Ezekiel 34:11-13; Amos 9:11-12; Acts 15:16-17

Promise of a restored environment

Isaiah 51:3 See also Zechariah 8:12-13

The final restoration of the land

Isaiah 65:17 See also Isaiah 66:22; Romans 8:21

Jesus Christ will reign eternally over new heavens and a new earth

Zechariah 9:9-10 See also Matthew 21:5; John 12:15; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1-4; Revelation 22:1-5

Vision of life on the new earth

Isaiah 11:6-9 See also Hosea 2:18-23; Micah 4:2-4

The new Eden: the Christian's inheritance

Hebrews 11:13-16 See also Psalm 37:11; Matthew 5:5; Romans 8:17; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 2:7; Revelation 21:7

“paradise” is a Persian word taken over into the Greek, meaning “park” or “garden”. In Ge 2:8 it refers to Eden:

Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 12:1-4