Creation stories are important because they are our faith’s explanation for the start of everything concerning us. They give us a peek at our true identity, who we were made to be, what our relationship with creation is, how God works, and ultimately, hold the key to figuring out what is wrong with us.

That last bit seems particularly important to me, as it is very hard to fix something if you don’t know what is wrong with it. Consistently in Scripture, heaven and earth are linked: both by way of comparison and of contrast.

Genesis begins with the creation of heaven and earth; Jesus taught us to pray that the order of heaven would come to earth; the last book of the Bible speaks of a new heaven and a new earth. Creation and consummation are inextricably linked. Creation begins with a couple, consummation shows us a multitude that no one could number; creation has a tree in a garden, consummation presents us with the tree of life bearing fruit throughout the year in the midst of a magnificent city, which is itself set in the midst of a renewed creation; in the creation narratives God visited his people in the evening, but in the closing pages of Scripture God makes his home with redeemed humanity for ever.

Creation indicates where God is taking his creation and his people – and the fulfillment is far beyond the inaugural work. Yet the two are related for God has always had a plan for his creation. Paul states as much in Romans 8:20, 21 when he speaks of a groaning creation waiting for its redemption. Creation’s future is not one of destruction but of regeneration.

The age to come is presented as taking place on earth with God ‘moving’ address to be with humanity, rather than vice-versa (Rev. 21:3, 10). Paul says we are waiting for a Saviour to come from heaven (Phil. 3:20). This coming from heaven does not indicate the withdrawal from this world but the fullness of the age to come with its transformed heaven and earth.