A New Heaven and a New Earth

THIS glorious vision continues to unfold as the angel takes John back to the beginning of the Thousand Year Reign.  What does he describe?  "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth  had passed away, and the sea is no more." (Revelation 21:1) A captivating panorama comes to view! 

Hundreds of years before John's day, Jehovah had said to Isaiah:  "For here I am creating new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be called to mind, neither will they come up into the heart."  (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22)  This prophecy was initially fulfilled when faithful Jews returned  to Jerusalem in 537 B.C.E.  After their 70-year exile in Babylon.  In that  restoration, they formed a cleansed society, "a new earth," under  a new governmental system, " new heavens."  The apostle Peter, however, pointed to a further application of the prophecy saying: "But there are new heavens and a new earth that  we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell."  (2 Peter 3:13)  john now shows that this promise is fulfilled during the Lord's day.  "The former heaven and the former earth,"  Satan's organized  system of things with its governmental structure influenced by Satan and his demons, will pass away.  The turbulent "sea" of wicked, rebellious mankind will cease to exist.  In its place will be "a new heaven and a new earth" -A new earthly society under a new government, God's Kingdom. -Compare Revelation 20:11.

John continues:  "I saw also the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."  (Revelation 21:2)  New Jerusalem is the bride of Christ, made up of the anointed Christians who remain faithful to death and who are raised to become kings and priests with the glorified Jesus.  (Revelation 3:12; 20:6)  Just as earthly Jerusalem become the seat of government in ancient Israel, the magnificent New Jerusalem and her Bridegroom make up the government of the new system of things. This is the new  heaven.  The 'bride comes down out of heaven," not literally, but in the sense of directing attention to the earth.  The Lamb's bride is to be his loyal help meet in operating  a righteous government over all mankind. A blessing indeed for the new earth!

John tells us further:  "With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say:  'Look!  The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples.  And God himself will be with them.' " (Revelation 21:3)  When Jehovah made the Law covenant with the then new nation of Israel, he promised:  "I shall certainly put my tabernacle in the midst of  you, and my soul will not abhor you. And I shall indeed walk in the midst of you and prove myself  your God, and you, on your part, will prove yourselves my people."  (Leviticus 26:11, 12)  Now Jehovah is making a similar to faithful humans.  During the thousand-year  Judgment Day, they will become a very special people to him. 

During the Millennial Reign, Jehovah will "reside" among mankind in a temporary arrangement, he being represented by his royal Son, Jesus Christ. At the end of the Thousand Year Reign, however, when Jesus hands the Kingdom over to his Father, no royal representative or intercessor will be needed.  Jehovah will reside spiritually with "his peoples" in a permanent and direct way.  (Compare John 4:23, 24) What a lofty privilege for restored humanity!

Next time: Conclusion of A New Heaven and a New Earth

From the Book of Revelation