Issue #423, May 20, 2026
Will anything we do today in the physical world matter in eternity? Consider the vision of the eternal kingdom shared by John and Isaiah.
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband (Rev. 21:1-2, NIV).
The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it (Rev. 21:24, 26).
And they will reign for ever and ever. (Rev. 22:5)
21 They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22….my chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They will not labor in vain… (Isaiah 65:21-23).
These passages, along with others, describe a future that is much different from what we often imagine when we think of heaven. John sees heaven coming down to a new earth, one that has been purified by fire (see 2 Peter 3:10). He sees a massive city filled with the glory of the nations. Isaiah sees work and labor as a part of this wonderful future. What does all of this have to do with our work today?
Our work today enters into eternity.
John’s vision of a glorious city also includes the kings of the earth bringing their “splendor” into it. So, it appears that some of the splendor of this earth will somehow be carried into eternity! Isaiah, in 60:6-17, mentions camels, gold and incense, flocks, ships and wood that is brought to adorn God’s sanctuary. So, it appears that when our work reflects God’s goodness, justice, creativity, and care for people, something of that work may enter the new earth!
Some leaders work hard to build and create wealth with no thought of how it may impact eternity. But serving leaders work to develop the best art, craftsmanship, creativity and products that reflect God’s goodness. They seek to create “splendor” that will enter into eternity.
Our work today endures in eternity.
Isaiah’s vision of eternity includes people building houses, planting vineyards and working with their hands. The picture Scripture paints is not an eternity without work—but work without the curse! No frustration, no futility, no wasted effort, no sweat. Just the joy of creating, developing, and filling the earth with beauty and goodness.
Some leaders look forward to completing their work and live for the times they are not working. But serving leaders embrace work to glorify God, now and in eternity.
Our work today expands in eternity
John’s vision indicates that those in the new earth “will reign for ever and ever.” This is the ultimate fulfillment of the original commission from Genesis 1:28 which we examined in a previous issue. While our current work partially fulfills this mandate, it will be fully expanded and realized in eternity. We will exercise authority and power free from sin—to fill the earth with God’s goodness.
Some leaders sharpen their leadership capacity only for present success. But serving leaders develop their leadership muscles in preparation for eternal impact.
Your work today matters! From creation to eternity, scripture consistently affirms the value of human work.
For further reflection and discussion:
- What elements of my current work most fully express God’s beauty, creativity and goodness? What would it be like to have something of what I have done here on earth brought to Him as a part of the “splendor of the nations”? How does that energize me to do my best in my work?
- In what way would it be energizing to think of my current work continuing in eternity? Are there things that I have always dreamed of doing that I might be able to accomplish in eternity?
- In what ways am I developing my leadership capacity in my daily work? How might God use these skills to allow me to rule in eternity? What more can I do to prepare for that time?
- Reflect on the following passages that provide more context to the principles we examined in this issue: Psalm 8:6; Isaiah 60:6-17, 65:17-25; Daniel 7:27; Matthew 25:14-30; 1 Corinthians 6:1-3; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 5:10, 21:1-21; and 22:1-5.
Until next time, yours on the journey,
Jon Byler
If you would like a single document with all four issues from this series, click here for a PDF copy.
*Many of the thoughts in this series come from Jordan Raynor’s book “The Sacredness of Secular Work,” which I highly recommend.