Rev. 21:1-22: The New Heaven and Earth!

The New Heaven And The New Earth Chapter 21, Verse 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. In keeping with God’s promise to “…make all things new…” (21:5) and with Jesus’ promise that while His words would never depart, “…heaven and earth will pass away…” (Matthew 24:35), John stood watching, as a New Heaven and a New Earth were unveiled. The old earth and the old heaven in/under which we now live will have vanished, as foretold, at the Great White Throne Judgment, after all the sinners were resurrected and accounted for. It was never intended that this world in which we live should continue forever. “You have laid the foundation of the earth formerly (in eternity past)”, the Psalmist writes, “and the heavens are also the work of Your Hands, yet, both of them will perish, while You endure; yes, each of them will grow old, like a garment; like a vessel, You will change them, and they will be changed…” (Ps. 102:25-27). “Look, observe and consider attentively!” Isaiah the prophet writes, quoting the Almighty, “I create new heavens, and a new earth; and the first will not be remembered—ever—never coming to mind again…the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, will remain before Me, says the Lord…” (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22). Furthermore, while the nature and structure of the present heaven and earth are such that they could continue virtually indefinitely (Psalm 78:69) “…the heaven will vanish like smoke, and the earth will grow old like clothing, while those who live in it will die in similar fashion…” (Isaiah 51:6). It should be noted and remembered that whatever the heaven’s and the earth’s capacity for aging, neither will be allowed to continue to reach its full potential in terms of age. The earth will be inhabited right up to the end of the Millennium, to the Great White Throne Judgment and the resurrection of the very last sinner, before it finally disappears, forever. In fact, truth is, our current heaven and earth will be in better shape than ever, at the end of the Millennium, when they are finally discarded at the coming of the Great White Throne Judgments. Interestingly, while this is not to imply that there will be no water at all on the New Earth, necessarily, John could not but observe that there will be no sea upon the face of the New Earth (he may well have been awe struck at the sight!). That is—or so it appears, at least—this new terrestrial facility will not have a surface which is 75% covered—as is our world now—by water. On the other hand, given that the sea in OT thought was often symbolic of discontentment and restlessness among the masses of humanity, the absence of any sea no doubt is also emblematic of the absence of unrest, strife, division and dissatisfaction—in spite of all the different nationalities and cultures, and personalities endemic to both. Verse 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.