#are all real literal actual descriptions of heaven and that's where we'll open our eyes as soon as we die

[fortes-fortuna-iogurtum]

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#accidentally got into a bit of an argument with my sunday school teacher/youth group leader this morning #(tho I didn't see it as an argument? more of a difference of opinions? slash-me asking for clarification on his points #and opinions on mine? #but my sisters said it felt like I was arguing so. *helpless shrug* that wasn't the intention really) #but the subject was about heaven/the christian's true home #and he was saying that the descriptions of glory and splendor in Revelation (streets of gold/foundations of the city/12 gates/etc) #are all real literal actual descriptions of heaven and that's where we'll open our eyes as soon as we die #and as I'm leaning more and more into 'revelation is largely a prophetic vision and we should be careful not to take too much of it #too literally' lately #I was saying that 'heaven' as we call it is the state of being returned to perfect unity with God + the New Creation #which will be brought about after the end of days #and. yeah. #now I'm largely just confused lol #because it just seems to me like saying 'yeah as soon as I die I'm gonna wake up in a MANSION and there's gonna be JEWELRY EVERYWHERE #and GOLD STREETS and ALL THESE VERY SPECIFIC SYMBOLIC ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES #is... slightly missing the point??? #I personally find it far more hopeful and attractive to say tbh idk what it's gonna be like when I open my eyes on the other side of death #BUT I know that God is going to bring me back!! I will be resurrected in a new body with a new purpose in a new *world* #and it will be every single thing I love about this world but BETTER!!! no death!! no sorrow!!! no pain!! perfect undistracted fulfillment #of my callings!!! a wonderful fantastic beautiful unbroken world and //I// will get to live in it and help cultivate it!!!! #and actually this may be a bit of a rabbit trail but I wonder why the churches I've grown up in don't seem to care that much #about the New Earth? they're all like 'YEAH HEAVEN :D :D :D GOLD STREETS 'N PEARLY GATES :D :D :D' #but never 'hey did you know that all the horrible ways we've destroyed this wonderful place that we live in now will be undone? #and we'll come back to earth but it'll be just like it was in the Garden???? isn't it cool that as much terrible stuff we inflict on #ourselves and others and God's beautiful work of creation it's STILL not more than God can redeem and remake and restore???' #bc that message seems a lot more inspiring to me? not just escapism but restoration and reclamation? #idk. I wish I had people to actually discuss these sorts of spiritual things with around... #maybe I'll find them at college... I really hope I do... #tag ramble #christianity