“Revelation 21 pictures the entire cosmos and new creation as the dwelling place of God. This picture fulfills the mission given in Genesis 1-2, and the progress of this mission can be traced throughout the entire Bible. In Genesis 1-2, Eden is the dwelling place of God, and God commissions Adam and Eve to expand the boundaries of that dwelling place to fill the earth. While God’s original plan seemed to be thwarted by sin, God continues to establish his dwelling place among the patriarchs until the construction of the tabernacle and temple. After the destruction of Solomon’s temple, the prophets anticipate the coming of a new and expanding temple, and these prophecies begin to be fulfilled in Jesus and the church. The church as the dwelling place of God must expand until one day it fills the entire heaven and earth. This ultimate picture of the whole earth filled with God’s presence fulfills God’s original intention from the sanctuary of Eden.”