New Heavens And A New Earth
When planning a trip, we usually spend time thinking about our destination, reading visitor reviews, planning activities, and anticipating what it will be like when we arrive.
If this is true of earthly journeys to destinations that may fall far short of our expectations, how much more should it be true of our journey as Christians to our eternal destination, a place of unimaginable glory. The Apostle Peter was certain that believers in Christ should be, “looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God”.
The Bible teaches that, at the end of time, God will create new heavens and a new earth. This new creation will be free from sin, suffering, and death, and will be the eternal home of those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ as their Saviour.
The promise of the new heavens and the new earth appears in the Old Testament, particularly in the prophetic books.
“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind”
(Isaiah 65:17 NIV).
“‘As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,’ declares the Lord, ‘so will your name and descendants endure’”
(Isaiah 66:22 NIV).
These promises point to God’s plan to bring about a renewed creation, free from the brokenness caused by sin.
In the New Testament, the concept of the new heavens and the new earth is expanded on, particularly in the writings of the Apostle Peter and the book of Revelation. These texts confirm that the new creation will follow God’s final judgement upon humankind and will mark the ultimate fulfilment of His redemptive plan.
Peter describes the destruction of the existing heavens and earth at the end of time, followed by the creation of new heavens and a new earth characterized by righteousness. The emphasis here is upon the hope Christians have for this new eternal reality.
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. 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. . . . But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells”
(2 Peter 3:10,13 NIV).
The following verses from the book of Revelation provide one of the most powerful and detailed descriptions of the new heavens and the new earth in the Bible. As Christians, we look forward to this new creation, where all suffering will be over and God will dwell permanently with us as His people. The “new Jerusalem” represents the culmination of God’s promises, where He will live among His people in perfect peace and joy.
“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. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 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. 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’”
(Revelation 21:1-4 NIV).
The new heavens and new earth will be completely free from the effects of sin. Death, mourning, crying, and pain – all marks of this fallen world – will be gone forever. This new creation will be one of eternal life and glorious, undisturbed peace.
There will be no need for a temple or any other place of worship, because God Himself will dwell with His people. They will experience His presence in all its fullness and will worship Him and serve Him forever.
From the few scriptures that describe the new eternal reality, we learn that it is:
A Place of Righteousness: The new heavens and new earth will be a place where righteousness dwells. There will be no more sin or evil, only perfect holiness and goodness.
A Physical and Spiritual Reality: While the new heavens and new earth will be a radically different reality, the Bible teaches that they will still be a physical creation, not merely a spiritual or mystical one. We will have resurrected bodies and will live in a physical environment that is free from decay and corruption.
The New Jerusalem: The new heavens and new earth are associated with the New Jerusalem, which is depicted as a glorious, holy city where God and His people dwell together. This city is described as having streets of gold, gates made of pearl, and walls built on precious stones, symbolizing its awesome beauty, majestic glory and spotless holiness.
The promise of the new heavens and new earth is a source of great hope. It points to the ultimate fulfilment of God’s plan of salvation, when all things will be made new and we will experience the fullness of eternal life and enjoy His presence forever.
God will dwell with His people in a new creation, free from the curse of sin, suffering and death. In His presence everything will be characterized by righteousness, peace and joy.
For Christians, this is the glorious culmination of God’s redemptive work and the fulfilment of all His promises throughout Scripture.