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 the former earth had passed away, the sea in 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 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 the 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"- a new earthly society under a new government, God's Kingdom. - Compare REVELATION 20:11. 

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

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