Chapter Forty-Two -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 former earth had passed away, and he 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 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 became 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  helpmeet in operating a  righteous government over all mankind.  A blessing indeed for the new earth! 

Next time: Chapter Forty-Two -A New Heaven and a New Earth -Continued 

From the book of Revelation