The New Heaven and the New Earth

 

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:1–4 ESV).

 

The "new heaven and new earth" is a biblical concept, taken particularly from our reading today (Revelation 21). It describes the ultimate, perfected state of creation after God's final judgment, where sin, death, and suffering are abolished, and God dwells directly with His chosen people in the “New Jerusalem.” It is the fulfillment of His original purpose for a restored, eternal world. It represents not just renewal but a superior, transformed reality where God's presence brings complete harmony, peace, and eternal life for believers, replacing the current world's corruption.

 

When thinking about this complete renewal, we can say that it signifies a fresh start, purging the old creation of sin and its effects, creating something superior, not just a remodeled version. God is not merely putting the broken things back together, He is making all things new. We also see this will be a state when God dwells directly with His people, symbolizing perfect communion and the fulfillment of His dwelling with humanity. There will be an absence of suffering; there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain; tears will be wiped away. It's the culmination of the biblical story, reversing the fall and restoring creation to its intended glory, even surpassing Eden. This is our ultimate comfort and hope, assuring that current suffering is temporary and that God will make all things new.

 

On those days when it seems impossible to even stumble forward much less take a strong step, then we may turn to this great hope of a final destination without any trials or trouble. All of that which was destroyed in the original sin of Adam and Eve will be restored to God’s original intent of eternal life! That day is coming quickly!