The Eternal Revelation:  A New Heaven and a New Earth

Shared on May 4, 2025

Introduction

The creation, as we know it, is all temporary.  The earth, the sun, the moon, the stars, the planets, the galaxies – everything – will fade away.  Why will that happen, and will you be part of the brand new to come?  

The Passing Away of Former Things

Our lesson this week opens with John telling us that he saw a new heaven and a new earth as the first heaven and first earth had passed away (Rev. 21:1).  When I approach this verse, I often approach it with the mindset of teaching it to someone who may be hearing it for the very first time.  

I don’t believe many of us understand that this world is temporary. I say that because we don’t appear to live with the mindset of how temporary things are.  Yet, we ought to live with the mindset of just how temporary life, this creation, is.  So, why is it that life is temporary?  Why is it that the first heaven and first earth must pass away?  History lesson time!

The corruptive presence of sin

When God created all things, it was not made to be temporary.  You see, there was no such thing as death in God’s creation.  God created man to dwell with man for everlasting life.  I often here people say that man was created to serve, but that is not the case! How can I say that?  Well, let’s take a look at Genesis 1:26.

“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’”

This one verse tells us that we were created in the likeness of God.  God is holy, righteous, faithful, love, eternal (everlasting).  We, mankind, were created to share those same traits – we were glorious.  We were made to be in the presence of the Lord! Well, what happened to mankind’s glory?

Genesis 3 shares the story of mankind’s fall in the garden due to the sin of Adam and Eve.  Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s instructions by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:16-17).  

Because of their disobedience, we’re told that Adam and Eve’s eyes were opened, and they saw that they were naked.  We often think of them seeing their physical nakedness, but don’t overlook the statement about their eyes being opened.  Does that statement suggest that Adam and Eve were literally blind before they ate from the tree?

Scripture makes it very clear that neither Adam nor Eve was physically blind before they ate from the tree.  In Genesis 2:19-20, we’re told that God would bring animals to Adam and Adam would interact with them and give them names.  Genesis 6:3 tells us that Eve saw that the tree was good for food and pleasant to the eyes.

So, when we’re told that Adam and Eve’s eyes were opened, it means they became aware of their wrongdoing – their sin.  Their one sinful act introduced disobedience into a holy and righteous creation.  Their sin polluted and corrupted mankind and all manner of life, as sin and death were introduced into this world.  

Before mankind’s sin, there was another who sinned.  Ezekiel 28:16-18 shares the story of Satan’s sin as he was filled with pride, raising himself to be higher than God.  Both Isaiah 14:12 and Revelation 12:7-9 share the story of Satan being cast out of heaven.  However, as shown in Job 1:6, Satan would still present himself before the Lord to report his doings.

The cleansing of sin

So, the first heaven and the first earth have been touched by and corrupted by sin.  The promise of everlasting life is a promise of no sorrow, no pain, and no death – things brought on by sin.  So, if the everlasting promise does not include the products of sin, then something has to be done about sin and everything that it has corrupted.

The Millennial Kingdom comes to an end after 1,000 years.  After the Millennial Kingdom, Revelation 20:7 tells us that Satan will be released from his prison.  Satan will be bound, in prison, during the thousand years of the Millennial Kingdom (Rev. 20:1-3).

After he is set free, Satan will gather his forces for “one last stand” against the Lord (Rev. 20:7-9).  Many people make “Armageddon” out to be a great “battle” between good and evil.  The implication of a battle implies that Satan would have a chance of defeating God, but he doesn’t.  Scripture makes it clear that Satan and his army will quickly be wiped out and devoured by the Lord.

In Revelation 20:10-15, we’re told of the judgment of Satan, the Antichrist, and the sinner.  To be clear, the sinner is one who chooses to live in disobedience to God’s way.  Satan, the Antichrist, and the sinner will receive the reward they’ve always desired – to be apart from God.  They will all be cast away from God’s presence for everlasting life.

Now, because this creation which we occupy, the first creation, has been occupied by sin, it will also be cast away.  This creation has to go away since the promise of God is an everlasting home that is free from sin.  Because this creation has to pass away, that means the clock is always ticking on its lifespan.

The New Heaven and New Earth

John now gives us insight into what the new heaven and new earth will be like.  John starts by telling us, “Also there was no more sea”.  John is speaking in a literal sense in that when he looked at the new earth, there was no ocean and no sea.

John then tells us that he saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  Now, this verse should really catch our attention as believers.  Why is that?  Well, let’s take a look at John 14:2-3 and what Jesus said.

“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

Jesus told the disciples that He would leave this world to prepare a place for those who He would come again and receive.  For the majority of this quarter, we have seen that Christ will receive His church, His bride.  Once again, to be clear, the church is made up only of those who are of sincere faith.

New Jerusalem is that place that has been especially prepared for the bride of Christ.  You could think of New Jerusalem as the husband’s wedding gift for His bride.  In this case, New Jerusalem is Jesus’ wedding gift to us, His church.

You may begin to wonder where other believers, like Old Testament believers, will dwell.  Israel’s promise has always been an earthly one.  Sure, we immediately will think of the piece of land where many dwell today but that is just a small piece of land.  Israel’s eternal promise is an earthly promise.

Now, does this mean that Israel and the church will dwell separate from each other for all of eternity?  Absolutely not.  Since we will no longer be physical beings, we will have no limits.  If you think about it, the new earth will have no borders, considering there won’t be any oceans.

A New Day – Everlasting Life

When the old sinful creation is melted away, as Peter described it (2 Pet. 3:10), a new day will truly rise.  This will truly be the start of everlasting life.

John tells us that he heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God (Rev. 21:3).”  

The tabernacle was a tent that the children of Israel traveled with as they moved about on their journey to the Promised Land.  God’s glory would rest above the tabernacle and be a signal to the children of Israel to come to a stop and rest on their journey.  

When David was king, David desired to build a temple so that the ark of the covenant would dwell in a temple rather than a tent.  The children of Israel often saw the tabernacle as God’s resting place.  However, after the construction of the temple, the tabernacle eventually faded away, and the ark of the covenant was placed in the temple.

So, what does this mean in the new day?  The Lord makes it very clear that He is going to dwell with all who are in New Heaven and new earth.  There will be no waking from our rest to journey to a Promised Land when we will be enjoying the eternal promise.

In that new day, the Lord tells us that He will wipe away every tear, and there will be no more death, no more pain, as those things will have all been passed away (Rev. 21:4).  John tells us that he was then told to write, “These words are true and faithful (Rev. 21:5).”  It is these words that leave one with the choice:  believe or do not believe.

As this lesson comes to a close, we are told that those who overcome will inherit all things, including the fountain of the water of life (Rev. 21:6-7).  Those who overcome can only do so through faith in the one who overcame sin and tribulation (John 3:16; 16:33).

However, those who choose not to believe will have no part in the new heaven and new earth.  It was revealed to John that the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and liars will have their part in the lake which burns with fire (Rev. 21:8).

I do want to make it clear that this statement speaks of those who give their lives to these wicked actions and don’t choose to repent.  There is grace, mercy, and forgiveness shown towards those who choose to repent.  Salvation cannot be lost!  However, to those who don’t repent, we must consider them as blasphemers of the works of the Spirit, and therefore, they can have no part in the kingdom.

Another beautiful revelation has been given to us by Christ through John’s eyes.  My hope is that these wonderful revelations will open your eyes, your heart, to the eternal promise of the kingdom.