A New Heaven and New Earth

The New Heaven and New Earth

Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

Introduction:

The millennium, or 1000 year ruling of Jesus Christ on earth, will be a wonderful time, but it is not heaven. The earth will have been renewed, Satan will be bound, and Jesus Christ will be literally on the throne with the redeemed saints ruling. However, we saw that the heart of man is indeed desperately wicked, and without the new birth, man will rebel against God. Before we come to the final state, we will need a new heaven and a new earth. (Remember that Satan and fallen angels had had access to heaven)

This earth and heaven shall pass away.

In the book of Isaiah, written 700 years before Christ, we find the following verses:?65:17 For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. 66:22 For as the new heavens and the new earth which I shall make shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain.?Jesus also mentioned this in reference to His eternal word.?Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.?

The apostle Peter adds:?2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12. Looking for and hasting unto the coming day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13. Nevertheless, we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Let us also look at?Revelation 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away, and there was found no place for them…. 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.?

Some have thought that God would purge the earth from sin by fire like God had covered the entire world with water in the flood, but the Bible seems quite clear that there will be a total destruction of both heaven and earth. God, who created the first heavens and earth from nothing, is very capable of destroying the first heaven and earth and then recreating it anew.

What will the new heaven and earth be like?

It is interesting that God emphasizes a number of things that will be no longer present:

1.?????No more sin:?Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abominations, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.?

2.?????No curse:?Revelation 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it: and his servants shall serve him.?When Adam sinned, the earth was placed under a curse. Paul writes in Romans 8 that the earth awaits the removal of the curse – which will come then.

3.?????No sorrow:?Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

4.?????No pain: Revelation 21:4 – see above

5.?????No separation: Revelation 22:4?And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5. And there shall be no night there: and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

6.?????No darkness – see above

7.?????No death: See above Revelation 22:4?I Corinthians 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father, when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet; 26. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

The plea of the Holy Spirit

Revelation 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am the alpha and the omega.??I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of water of life freely.... 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst com. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Note that it is free.?Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9. Not of works, lest any man should boast.?It is a gift. You do not pay for a gift. Let us come and drink!

A call and a warning:

Revelation 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is he second death.??God is a God of love, grace and mercy. But he is also a God of judgment who will not pardon those who hate and despise the Lord Jesus Christ. Come to Jesus and accept Him as savior. Be cleansed in His blood, and receive His forgiveness and His imputed righteousness so that you can avoid hell and enjoy fellowship with Him forever in heaven.