There is a poem entitled “A Prayer for the Future” quoted by Sir Frances Drake, it said, and I quote, disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves, when our dreams have come true because we have dreamed too little, when we arrive safely because we have sailed too close to the shore.
Disturb us, Lord, when with the abundance of things, we possess, we have lost our thirst for the waters of life; having fallen in love with life, we have ceased to dream of eternity; and in our efforts to build a new earth, we have allowed our vision of the new Heaven to dim.
Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly, to venture on wider seas where storms will show your mastery; where losing sight of land, we shall find the stars. We ask you to push back the horizons of our hopes; and to push into the future in strength, courage, hope, and love.
So, will there be a New Heaven and New Earth?
The Bible tells us that there will be… And who are we to disbelieve?
I have three points to discuss with you this morning.
** 1 A Look at the Great Flood
** 2 An Earth that is Flattened but Not Destroyed
** 3 All Things are New
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** 1 A Look at the Great Flood
Those that do not believe that there will be a New Earth… cite the Great Flood… and how God did not really destroy the world… He just removed that which was defiled… leaving the earth pretty much intact.
Genesis 6:17
God’s intent here was to destroy all flesh under the heaven (First Heaven) … that which had His breath of life… everything that is ON THE EARTH… which excludes that which is in the water (the Sea Creatures get to stay)
Genesis 7:23-24
I think we can agree… that God did NOT want to destroy the earth… or the heavens… this time around… man (Noah and his family) would re-inhabit the earth… this time!
But, it will not be that way the next time around… and that is what we will be talking about next.
** 2 An Earth that is Flattened but Not Destroyed
2 Peter 3:10
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
Is there any doubt after reading this…that the heavens (we know and love) will be gone (will pass away) … and all the elements of the earth… including the works that are in it…will be burned up?
Some may say… well burned up… does not mean it is gone or has passed away… right?
Revelation 6:12-14
This passage confirms that the heavens will lose its stars and that the sky (the first heaven) will roll up like a scroll… pretty much gone… at least from our view or perspective.
Mountains and islands are only moved from their original location… but not yet destroyed.
Revelation 16:18-20
Here we should notice that there are no longer any islands and mountains… Pretty much a flat earth is all that is left… would you agree?
** 3 All Things are New
Revelation 21:1
So, now the earth and heaven have indeed passed away… dead… gone!
This is what John was shown… in a vision… by the LORD and His angels.
If we believe what we read in 2 Peter 3:10… and I do… the earth and the first and second heavens have burned up… they no longer exist!
How do we know that all three heavens have not been destroyed? That’s a great question!
Revelation 21:2
It would be highly unlikely that the New Jerusalem would come down from heaven… from God… if the third heaven had also been destroyed… right?
What will this New Heaven be like?
We don’t really know but a theologian once said, ‘It is an unknown place, with a well-known inhabitant.’
But… for the most part… the New Heaven is NOT as important to us as the New Earth and the New Jerusalem… Why is that?
It is on this New Earth… in this New Great City… that we saints will inhabit!
How do I know that… some will ask… again it’s because the Bible tells us so!
Revelation 21:2-3
That’s pretty much a wrap… wouldn’t you say?
God will dwell with us… in this New Jerusalem… on this New Earth… and He will be our God… AMEN!
