The New Heaven And Earth Series

NOTE: This Bible study on the end times comes from the perspective of a pre-tribulation Rapture.

Tonight, we will be looking at Revelation 21 and 22, and work toward finishing our Revelation and Endtimes Overview study. This evening’s session will present “a glimpse into eternity.” We will be examining some descriptions of the New Jerusalem, including its size, dimensions and inhabitants; and we will be discussing the Tree of Life and the River of Life. We will also view the urgent invitation that is extended for all people to come and join Jesus in the new heaven and new earth for all eternity. Therefore, I want to encourage you to be filling out the provided handout, as we go along, so you can keep track of all this information.

(Refer to Handout: “The Symbolism of Chapters 21 and 22”)

Location of the New Jerusalem

Turn with me in your Bibles, and let’s read Revelation 21:1-5:

1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” 5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

• According to verse 1, what happens to heaven and earth?

The first heaven and earth pass away, and God creates a new heaven and earth. The term “heaven” does not refer to the abode of God. Tim LaHaye says the atmospheric heaven is what is being described here. He says, “Whenever we read about heaven in the Bible, we should keep in mind that there are three heavens: 1.) the atmospheric heaven around the earth, 2.) the stellar heaven, and 3.) the third heaven (or the throne of God).” He adds that the text in no way indicates that God will destroy the stellar heaven or the third heaven. I think he is right in saying that the third heaven, or throne of God, will not be destroyed; however, I beg to differ about the stellar heaven, based on some texts that we will see in a moment.

Bruce Metzger says, “Whether John would have us think of the new heaven and new earth as a transformation of the existing order, or whether the present cosmos will come to an end and a new creation will replace it, is not quite clear. In any case, the word ‘new’ used by John does not mean simply another, but a new kind of heaven and earth. The new creation will have some kind of continuity with creation as we know it, yet it will be radically different” (Hindson).

• Do you think there will be a brand-new heaven and earth, after the present heaven and earth is destroyed? Or, do you think that God will renovate and transform this present heaven and earth?

Allow me to share some Scripture that will shed some light on this question. In Matthew 24:35, Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” In 2 Peter 3:10-13, we read, “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. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”

According to these verses, there will be a complete and total destruction of the present atmospheric heaven and earth; and probably the stellar heaven as well. I believe verse 5 is being literal when God declares, “Behold, I make all things new.”

• According to verses 2 and 3, where will God’s city, the New Jerusalem, be located?

On the new earth; or rather, on earth with men. LaHaye says, “The new earth will be the Christian’s heaven. When Christians talk about going to heaven, they mean in the soul state, provided they die before the Rapture. After the resurrection of the body, believers will come to earth to reign with Christ during the Millennium. After that thousand years, we will live forever on the new earth described in our text.”