
I am working my way through your book Heaven. I have three questions:
First question: I understand the reason for distinguishing between the Intermediate or Present Heaven and the New Earth, where we will ultimately spend eternity. But if Jesus referred to it as Paradise (and you do mention this, but only in passing), why not refer to the Present Heaven that way?
Second question: you refer to sin and the Curse, seemingly as separate ideas or things, but I always thought the two were the same, that sin was the Curse—that we live in a broken, cursed world because of sin and evil. Would you be willing to explain to me the difference between the two terms?
Third question: do you believe that we are currently living in the Tribulation? I don't believe it’s necessary to consider the seven-year period of Tribulation a literal figure—since seven is the number of completeness, that number may simply imply that the Tribulation will be a complete end to most of the Christian influence on civilization (war, terrorism, mass murder, etc.), an end to habitable living conditions on our planet, and an end to man's ability to successfully treat diseases any more. By that definition, I’d say we’re well into the Tribulation.
Thanks so much for sending your questions. Randy asked me to respond on his behalf.
Here are some thoughts to each of your questions:
What Do You Think About Linking Current Events to the End Times?
What Is Your Position on the Timing of the Rapture?
Further Thoughts on the Millennium
Hope this is helpful. We wish you God’s best.
Photo by Erika Fletcher on Unsplash
Chelsea Dudley served as Randy's personal assistant at Eternal Perspective Ministries for several years.