It is an amazing, miraculous moment when a ladybug emerges from its pupa. Four or five days before, this creature appeared to be nothing more than a bizarre maggot of sorts, and definitely not something we would ordinarily appreciate as a friend in our garden. While in the pupa, the larva basically turns to a soupy goo, with everything becoming scrambled and re-formed. This creature then comes forth after having been quite literally re-created. It has been changed into the beetle that is easily recognized and universally loved.

After witnessing such a transformation, one cannot but help to be reminded of the redemption and new life that Christ brings. Isaiah speaks in multiple places of the coming transformation that will result because of Christ’s redemptive work. He talks repeatedly about streams, fountains, pools of water, and vegetation being found in the desert places (Isa. 35:6-7, 41:17-21, 43:19-21). He prophesies of a time when blind eyes and deaf ears will be opened, when light and liberty will be granted to prisoners (Isa. 35:5-6, 42:6-7, 61:1-3). These are references to God’s Spirit being poured out on His people and the Gospel of peace going forth.

This redemption isn’t just limited to the people of God. It also effects the created order. Isaiah speaks of this in Isaiah 65:

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;
And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. . . .

The wolf and the lamb shall feed together,
The lion shall eat straw like the ox,
And dust shall be the serpent’s food.
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,”
Says the LORD. (Isa. 65:17, 25)

All of life is touched by God’s love and gracious compassion shown to us in Christ. The Lord tells us that a time is coming when people will live long lives, enjoying the fruit of their labor (Isa. 65:20-23). Creation and the redeemed will both experience restoration and an increasing reversal of the curse of sin. They will work together in harmony more and more and testify of God’s grace and righteousness as He works to return the world to its original purpose and order:

“For you shall go out with joy,
And be led out with peace;
The mountains and the hills
Shall break forth into singing before you,
And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree,
And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree;
And it shall be to the LORD for a name,
For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” (Isaiah 55:12-13)

Scripture speaks of God making a covenant with the earth and the creatures themselves, which were not exempt from the curse of the sin of mankind. In Genesis 9:8-17, He promised never to destroy the earth again with a flood. It was an extension of His gracious covenant with Noah, foreshadowing the complete redemption and restoration He plans for the whole world at the end of time.

Romans 8:19-22 tells us that the creation is anticipating this time, groaning and eagerly waiting for the revealing of the sons of God:

For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.

We don’t know exactly what this promised redemption will look like, but it is clear that the existing creation will be purified, transformed, and liberated, not destroyed. Just as the ladybug is a new creature, yet is still composed of the same basic elements as the larva, so the new creation will be made of the same basic substance but with new qualities added; something will be different about it. We see this idea presented by Paul as he discusses the new bodies we will receive at the final resurrection:

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” (1 Cor. 15:51-54)

The earthly creation won’t receive the same glory that belongs to the saints (Rom. 8:18), but the liberty that it will enjoy is part of the glorified state. At the end of time, the current created order will be purified by fire; the corrupted parts containing remaining vestiges of sin will be burned (1 Cor. 3:12-15; 2 Pet. 3:7, 10-13). The corruption and futility will be removed in the new heaven and the new earth so that we all can serve God as we were meant to serve Him originally. The full potential of life will be realized because it is no longer hindered by sin and death.

Praise God for His love and redemption of all things so that we can serve and glorify Him for all eternity, free from the effects of sin and death!

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;
And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.
But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create;
For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing,
And her people a joy.” (Isaiah 65:17-18)