Revelation 21:1-4 – Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
“Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth…” The word here for new is not just a replacement of the same kind, but is speaking of something new to the person experiencing it. Only Adam and Eve had seen Eden. Only they had seen, before the fall, the paradise God created for mankind. When we see the new heaven and new earth, we will see what we have never seen before.
It is easy to understand why the earth needs to be redone. When Adam and Eve sinned they not only corrupted themselves, but they corrupted the earth also. The following clearly shows that man has defiled the earth: Isaiah 24:5-6 “The earth is defiled by its people; they have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes and broken the everlasting covenant. 6 Therefore a curse consumes the earth; its people must bear their guilt. Therefore earth’s inhabitants are burned up, and very few are left.” In fact, Romans 8:19-22 we see that all of creation cries out for to be liberated from its bondage to decay “For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” Therefore it is easy to see that earth has suffered a death blow and awaits its liberation. When a king is overcome, so is what he rules.
Some find it more difficult to understand why it is that heaven would need to be replaced. Yet we must remember that the devil has had access to it and that he still is called to come and give account to God, Job 1:6 “One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. In fact the devil had to have been in heaven before he was thrown out as Jesus gave testimony to in Luke 10:18. Revelation 12:10-12 tells of the devil being permanently thrown out of heaven and bringing his fury to the earth and the sea.
There are two thoughts about the new earth and the new heaven and new earth. One is that the new heaven and earth are the old ones that have been remade, that are purified. The other is that they are completely new kind, thus the word kainos (transliteration) which would mean a whole new kind. Something different than the previous to the one before it. Now, that may mean that it is a remade one that is new to the one who never seen it as such. Let’s compare this to a television show in which a contractor rebuilds an old run-down house and transforms it into a beautiful home that the owner has never seen before. We have seen the surprised expressions on the faces as they are wowed at what the old house has become. This type of “new” may appeal to us for sentimental reasons.
However, it would seem more likely that what is being mentioned here is not a “redone” heaven and earth, but entirely new ones. To understand this we need only look to the verses that tell of the destruction of the heaven(s) and earth. 2 Peter 3:10 states that the heavens will “disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.” 2 Peter 3:12 also prophecies the destruction by fire and that even “the elements will melt in the heart.” Other verses concerning the destruction of the earth are Isaiah 24:3, Zephaniah 1:18, Zephaniah 3:8). Therefore, since scripture clearly tells of the utter annihilation of heaven and earth, it would seem to be clear that heaven and earth are not remade, but utterly destroyed and removed. A completely new and never corrupted heaven and earth, and never to be corrupted heaven and earth, will replace the old.
Family, that heaven and earth will be destroyed should not distress us since we know that the new inviolate heaven and earth are replacing it. We will have no place on, or in, the new heaven and earth that will have bad memories. No sin will have, or ever will, violate the earth. It is pure, it is clean, and it is perfect with the presence of God being the very light of it. 2 Peter 3:13 “But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.” Once again, what is a dreadful thing to the world is a wondrous thing for those that love and serve God through Jesus. The best things about the new heaven and the new earth is that God is there and we will ever be with Him. What a wonderful forever. What a wonderful start to forever. Praise God!
One final note, we should be crying that all will not be there! The love of God within us demands that share the Gospel that the full harvest would be reaped. Let’s reach out to all our family and friends and let them know that indeed the Lord is returning and that they also may repent and seek Jesus as Savior and Lord. God loves them and desires that they return to Him. Let’s share the Word and in this way we give glory and honor to God. May we strive to always honor and praise God. Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.