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A New Heaven and a New Earth #67
“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.” (Revelation 21:1).
Peter states that the present earth and heavens will be burned up with a heat that melts the elements. Some see this to mean that the earth will be “baptized” in fire, but will be restored. That is, the things on the surface of the earth are removed; it will be changed from one condition to another, but its circumference remains the same. Others believe it will be totally annihilated and a new earth will be created. They contend that it could be as large as our largest planet in order to host the New Jerusalem and all the saved from the time of Adam.
John says there was “no more sea.” Dr. Ruckman says this refers to the sea “above the firmament.” (Commentary on Revelation p.561.) Dake thinks it refers to the larger seas on our present earth. However, he believes that there will be smaller rivers and lakes called seas. Others believe there will be a total absence of seas on the earth, and it will be watered by a mist or vapor. The true meaning will be clear at that day.
“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 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.” (Revelation 21:2-4).
The city comes down from heaven because it was made by God and not by man. This is the city spoken of in prophecy. The writer of Hebrews says, “For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come” (Hebrews 13:14). Abraham looked for such a city and so did a host of Old Testament saints, “For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country” (Hebrews 11:14). The beauty of this city defies description. In order for the reader to get a visual, John says it is adorned like a bride on her wedding day.
It is uncertain if this city is suspended above the new earth, or if it actually descends and lands on earth. It matters not. Those who have a right will enter it. God’s throne will reside there and He will be their God. As God walked with Adam in the cool of the day; He will always be present for His people.
The God of all comfort will have removed everything that brought death, sorrow and tears. These will be a thing of the past and will exist no more. The former things of this life will be wiped from the minds of men and will be remembered no more. All will be new.
[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The God of all comfort will have removed everything that brought death, sorrow and tears. All will be new.[/pullquote]
“And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 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 the second death.” (Revelation 21:5-8).
In verse 6 we read the statement, “It is done.” When Christ died on the cross, He said, “It is finished.” He was declaring that He had completed all that the Father had sent Him to do. Every detail was finished. The penalty for sin was paid. A perfect substitute was provided, and the Father was satisfied. However, much remained to be done and was completed at the Second Advent. The purpose of God is restored, and His original plan is reestablished.
Verse 7 says the overcomers inherit all things. The overcomers eat of the tree of life (Revelation 2:7). The overcomers will escape the second death (Revelation 2:11). Overcomers eat of the hidden manna. Overcomers receive a white stone, and a new name. Overcomers will have power over the nations (Revelation 2:26). Overcomers will be clothed in white and will be confessed before the Father and the angels (Revelation 3:5). Overcomers will be a pillar in the temple and live in the New Jerusalem from heaven (Revelation 3:12). Overcomers will sit with Christ and rule with Him (Revelation 3:21).
Only the righteous who overcome in those terrible days are going to be saved (v. 8). Those who apostatize and give up the faith, the murderers and the immoral, the idolaters, and those who love the lie will be cast into the lake of fire. This judgment is called the second death.
“And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.” (Revelation 21:9-23).
One of the angels shows John the New Jerusalem as it descends from heaven. The city is called the bride, the Lamb’s wife. There is little agreement among scholars who the city represents. Some say it is the church, the body of Christ. Others believe it constitutes all believers from Adam to the end time. Still others think it is Israel or a select group of Jews. Most likely, it is the same city. Just as Genesis chapter two gives a detailed account of the creation of Genesis chapter one, the above text is, no doubt, this is a more detailed account of that mentioned above.
Those who hold that the body of Christ is the bride must see this city as the dwelling place for the Church. However, we do not know of any Bible verse which says the church is the bride of Christ.
Everything about the city is Jewish. It is significant that verse 12 begins the series of twelve. Twelve is a perfect number, signifying perfection of government. Here it speaks of the city from which God’s government will be dispensed:
- There are twelve angels– verse 12.
- There are twelve tribes of Israel-verse 12.
- There are twelve gates– verse 12.
- There are foundations with the names of the Twelve Apostles– verse 14. It is noteworthy that the Apostle Paul is absent. This is another proof that all is Jewish.
- The city was twelve thousand furlongs -verse 16.
- The wall was 144 cubits. That is 12×12-verse 17.
Also, one cannot help but see the connection between the stones and the breastplate of Israel’s High Priest. Two thirds of the stones are identical:
| Revelation 22:19-20 | Exodus 28:17-20 | |
| 1. | Topaz | Topaz |
| 2. | Sardius | Sardius |
| 3. | Emerald | Emerald |
| 4. | Sapphire | Sapphire |
| 5. | Amethyst | Amethyst |
| 6. | Beryl | Beryl |
| 7. | Sardonyx | Onyx |
| 8. | Jasper | Jasper |
| 9. | Chalcedony | Carbuncle |
| 10. | Jacinth | Ligure |
| 11. | Chrysolite | Diamond |
| 12. | Chrysoprasus | Agate |
Although the city will be illuminated physically by the glory of God’s presence, this does not mean that the sun or moon will no longer exist. Dake says, “This refers to no night in the city, but outside the city there will be day and night eternally (Gen. 1:14-18; 8:22; Jeremiah 31:35-36).”
“And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelation 21:24-27).
The Gentile sheep nations will be on the new earth and will walk in the light of the New Jerusalem. The light, no doubt, speaks of the righteousness of which the new, eternal government will consist.
There will be no need to shut the gates, for all that would or could defile it are forever banished. Only those who are saved and those written in the Lamb’s Book of Life have access to it.
“And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelation 21:24-27).
The Gentile sheep nations will be on the new earth and will walk in the light of the New Jerusalem. The light, no doubt, speaks of the righteousness of which the new, eternal government will consist.
There will be no need to shut the gates, for all that would or could defile it are forever banished. Only those who are saved and those written in the Lamb’s Book of Life have access to it.
Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.