Question from a reader:

I am very much enjoying Randy Alcorn‘s book Heaven. However, in reading the chapter “Will we actually rule with Christ?” I am confused about one of the statements he made. He wrote, “to rule on the New Earth will be to enable, equip, and guide, offering wisdom and encouragement to those under our authority.” If everything in the New Earth is renewed and perfected, I find it difficult to understand how anyone would still need encouragement. When we need encouragement, it shows that there is something lacking in us.

Answer from Doreen Button, EPM staff:

We are delighted that you are enjoying Heaven. I understand how, with our current mindset, it is difficult to imagine needing encouragement. So let’s take a look at the ultimate servant leader, Jesus. He truly was perfect, yet we see Him going to the Gethsemane garden, bringing His three closest companions, and taking His needs to the Father. As a man, fully human, He needed the encouragement of others in His toughest hours.

He will never need to be crucified again and on the New Earth, we won’t have people speaking against us or “subordinates” rebelling against us either. But we will still be human. A not uncommon misconception persists that when we “go to Heaven” or receive our Resurrection bodies on the New Earth we will suddenly know everything. But we won’t become omniscient. Ever. And there is nothing sinful about not knowing everything or not being able to do everything, perfectly or otherwise. We will continually learn and grow under the best teachers and leaders.

(Personally, I think the word “ruler” would be better understood in our modern American way of thinking, if it were replaced by “servant leader” which describes more accurately who we are meant to be.)

Now, back to your question about encouragement…if God gifts you in a particular way and wants you to lead a group of fellow New Earthers in putting your gift to good use, and they are not likewise gifted, can you imagine that encouraging them in their learning and their beginner attempts at emulation might be helpful and welcomed? We aren’t likely to have less (or more) than honest views of our capabilities there and then, so discouragement isn’t likely to be a problem. But that doesn’t make encouragement any less kind or useful as we guide and lead by example.

Thanks for asking!