About the Book
In this world of fear, trials, and loneliness we often feel adrift–like we’re still searching for a place where we can truly make ourselves at home. There’s a longing for something more, something that makes us feel like we belong, something that resonates perfectly with who we were made to be. This longing is no small thing to be brushed off and forgotten–it’s a guidepost letting us know we were made for another world. Earth is not our home. But it’s close.
What we long for is the new earth, the place God has been preparing for our eternity with him. In Home, Elyse Fitzpatrick explores heaven and the afterlife, demonstrating that our final destination is not some dull, featureless space in the clouds, but rather a perfected earth. It’s a real, physical place that we’ll explore with real bodies. A place of beauty and wonder and free of all death and decay.
No need to chase a bucket list. On the new earth there will be no end of glorious sites and amazing activities, and we’ll never run out of time to do them all. Includes questions for group discussion.
About the Author
Elyse Fitzpatrick is a frequent speaker at churches, retreats, and large conferences such as The Gospel Coalition and True Woman. She holds a certificate in biblical counseling from CCEF (San Diego) and an MA in biblical counseling from Trinity Theological Seminary. She has authored 22 books on daily living and the Christian life, and lives with her husband in San Diego, California.
Book Reviews
“As someone who grew up in the church and studying the Bible, yet without a full understanding of our eternal home–the New Heaven and the New Earth–this book not only expanded my understanding, it fed my longing. This is a book I will recommend again and again to those who long to understand what awaits believers beyond this life.” Nancy Guthrie, author of Hearing Jesus Speak Into Your Sorrow
- “When Elyse Fitzpatrick writes a book, you want to read it because you know it came from her passionate, purposeful, yet practical walk with the Lord. When she writes about heaven, you want to go there because she described it in such a clear, compelling way. Home will fan the flame of your desire for the life that is to come – in heaven with Jesus Christ for all eternity.”Dr. James MacDonald Senior Pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel and author of Vertical Church JamesMacDonald.org
“In Home Elyse Fitzpatrick has tackled a daunting assignment: ‘I’m trying to describe and even make you long for something neither one of us has ever experienced.’ The challenge is to give us a glimpse, a taste, an aroma of the unmitigated and endless delights of the New Earth that are Christians’ destiny, secured for us by Jesus’ death and resurrection. Instead of indulging in flights of sentimental fancy, Elyse has harnessed her imagination to the clues revealed in God’s Word. The result is a preview of the Home (for which we are all homesick) that is both robustly biblical and irresistibly attractive. Both those who suffer the pain of alienation and those who are too comfortably “at home” in this sin-sick world need to let this book lift our sights toward the return of the King and his consummated kingdom.” Dennis E. Johnson Professor of Practical Theology, Westminster Seminary California
“If ever we try to mark the character of God by the circumstances of our broken world, we will measure wrongly. The world does not disclose the fullness of his heart; the Cross does. Why then do we have to travel through this brokenness to find our way to a better home? The answer Elyse Fitzpatrick explores with empathy and accuracy is that the hard things wean us from love of what is passing so that we long for the promises of the eternal – and prioritize every experience and relationship accordingly. In this way, we learn that God’s heart is not only revealed at the Cross, but also in the warmth of the home to which we are welcomed forever.” Bryan Chapell Author and Pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church
- “Western Christians have had very few good books on the subject of heaven–at least books written in our lifetimes…Elyse Fitzpatrick has now authored one for all Christians–and a genuinely good one! Readers should not skip Dr. Paul Tripp’s preface. Dr. Tripp introduces one theme of Fitzpatrick that I found most fascinating: “an insatiable hunger for home,” a deep longing, a homesickness in each of us. For me, the first aspect of Fitzpatrick’s book that I found utterly fascinating was this theme of “longing,” of “homesickness.” Fitzpatrick’s book is suffused with the text(s) of Holy Scripture–on virtually every page! She obviously intends to build a roundly and soundly Scriptural view of heaven as Christians’ true home. What she is not interested in doing is presenting to her readers her own speculations. Good! I commend this book to any and all Christians. You won’t have read, I think, anything like it before? And Fitzpatrick argues her case from Scripture text!” Dr. Rod Rosenbladt former Professor of Theology at Concordia University, Irvine and the former co-host of the nationally syndicated radio program “The White Horse Inn”
“A new book from my friend Elyse is always an occasion for rejoicing, and Home is no exception. With characteristic insight, vulnerability and humor, she paints a hope-drenched portrait of kingdom come that is as fresh as it is alluring, yet clearly grounded in compassion for a world that’s never seemed more sunk down in conflict, hurt, and confusion. All that’s missing is Paul Simon in your ears, singing Homeward Bound. Beautiful.” David Zahl, Director of Mockingbird Ministries
“Home, no goodbyes, livelier life, face-to-face–is there anything better than being led by God’s word to meditate on heaven? Through Elyse’s book, the Spirit and Word will open your eyes and take you into “thin places,” your present troubles will feel a little less weighty, you will be more motivated to live a heavenly life and even contribute to the Lord’s sooner return.” Ed Welch, CCEF Counselor, Conference Speaker and Author
