Eschatology 16 Of 16 The New Heaven And The New Earth

I do not doubt that many of these have received these visions and revelations they claim they have received, but knowing the life of some of these professing Christians, I do doubt that these visions and revelations came from God.

Some are quick to point out that many of the New Testament Saints had such visions.

Yes, they did, but they did not have the complete revelation of God’s Word that we have, and God would often speak to them in this manner.

But two thousand years ago, John had a vision from the Lord.

• It was not some kind of MEDICATION that caused him to hallucinate and see things

• It was not something that he ATE for supper that caused this vision to occur

• It was not a bump on the head caused by falling off the back of a camel that caused this vision

God gave this vision to John, and the Word of God records what he saw.

Look at Revelation 21:1-3, we read, “And I saw a NEW HEAVEN and a NEW EARTH: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.”

Notice, there is going to be a NEW HEAVEN and a NEW EARTH.

WHY MUST THERE BE A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH?

Because Satan has left a trail of sin and corruption wherever he has been.

Illus: Have you ever seen one of those slimy snails that crawl around, and every where they go they leave a trail of slime behind them?

Wherever Satan goes, he leaves a TRAIL OF CORRUPTION, TEARS AND SORROW BEHIND HIM. For example:

• When he was in heaven, he rebelled against God and caused one-third of the angels to oppose God

• When he was cast to earth, he continued to rebel against God, and has caused the majority of the population to rebel against God

• When he is in full glory during the tribulation period, he will leave behind him a trail of sin and sorrow

Everything that Satan has come into contact with has been corrupted by sin.

God is going to completely wipe from existence the old heaven and the old earth that Satan has corrupted.

The writer of Hebrews talks about this in the Book of Hebrews.

Look at Hebrews 1:10-12, we read, “And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: THEY SHALL PERISH; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment. And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.”

Illus: The writer of Hebrews tells us that after the Great White Throne Judgment, this old existing heaven and earth will become like an old dish rag that has served it’s purpose, and it will be done away with.

After the completion of the Great White Throne Judgment, a new heaven and earth will be created.

Look again at Rev. 21:1, we read, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.”

The new earth will be the location of the New Jerusalem, which will come down from God.

Let me give you some scriptures.

Look at Rev. 21:2, we read, “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”

The New Jerusalem is also called the Bride of Christ.

Look at Rev. 21:2, “…Prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”

Look at Rev. 21:9-10 we read of the bride, “And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.”

Jerusalem is the eternal home for all Christians.

I. WHERE WILL GOD BE DWELLING DURING THIS TIME?

He will be dwelling with mankind.

Look at verse 3 in our text again, we read, “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.”