Wednesday: New Heavens and a New Earth
Sin and rebellion have been unwelcome intruders. They were never meant to be here. They inflicted incredible damage, but now that the cause of that damage no longer exists, it is time to restore everything to perfection. Not until that happens will the great controversy be completed.
Read Revelation 21:1-2, Rev. 21:9-10; Rev. 22:1-3. What are the main features of John’s description? What do they mean?
Image © Review & Herald Publishing from GoodSalt.com
When John describes new heavens as well as a new earth, he is repeating what Peter said: “the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat” (2 Pet. 3:10, NKJV). As we know so well, the earth is in desperate need of more than just a makeover. Everything here is going to be completely destroyed in order to make way for a whole new existence.
John also talks about no more sea (Rev. 21:1). He wrote this from a prison island (Patmos) where the sea prevented his escape. Even in a modern boat, it takes hours to reach the island where John wrote these words. In the earth made new there will no longer be any form of barrier that prevents the redeemed from moving freely or seeing their loved ones.
The New Jerusalem sounds incredibly spectacular. It is described in terms of a city from Bible times because that is all John knew about. However, artists’ impressions that depict it with first-century Roman architecture do it a major disservice because this is a city “whose builder and maker is God” (Heb. 11:10).
Our minds can barely grasp these descriptions. How fun it is to let our imagination dwell on what’s in store for us though. We can barely begin to imagine it. Also, the huge dimensions of the city inform us that there is no shortage of space. There is room for everyone.
| Look around at the beauty of the natural world and what it tells us about the character of God, even despite the ravages of sin. How can what we see here now help inspire us to trust in the hope of what we don’t yet see? |
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No more sea.
Could also be thinking of the basin before the temple where the priests had to wash - it was also called the sea.
What about Rev 17 - where the sea are the people ruled by the beast?
What about the sea of glass with fire underneath?
The writer of the lesson makes it sound like sea is symbolic of a barrier between people seeing loved ones. I sure hope so b/c I love the ocean with its waves, tides & roar.
Originally "God created great whales [and fish]... to fill the waters of the seas". (Gen 1:21-22 KJV)
"The earth came forth from the hand of the Creator exceedingly beautiful. There were mountains and hills and plains; and interspersed among them were rivers and bodies of water." (Story of Redemption p.20)
I imagine that there were bodies of water in the original, which were [in scale] something like the great lakes of North America. But there were then no great oceans as we have them today - these came about as a result of the flood. Yet, when the earth is finally restored, I feel confident that there will again be beautifully clear bodies of water, stretching as far as the eye can see, full of life. But seas/oceans as we have them now? No, their time will forever be over.
Isaiah 57:20 gives a much more consistent and logical explanation of what Revelation is talking about when referring to the "sea" that will be no more:
No longer will the restless, wicked people who who are like the boisterous sea spoil this beautiful place given us, and be allowed to ruin it.
Our beautiful oceans, like our earth, will endure forever as the jewel God created it to be that brings such glory to him by the ones who appreciate the gift.
Wax up your surf board!
The sea must definitely be symbolic here since the ultimate goal is the restoration of what was before the intruder (sin) came to make the so much damage that humanity and divinity have suffered.
Before sin, there was literal sea among other beautiful created things. After sin, I do believe the beautiful sea with beautiful waves will still be there for man to enjoy!
What a wonderful savior I serve! God love for his people is truly great, he gave his life for us, save us, deliver us, and has amazing treasure store for us.
What is the cause of the damage the author speaks of that no longer exists? Adam and Eve?
I believe the author means Satan.
But he still exists...
The day's page opens with the thought:
"Sin and rebellion have been unwelcome intruders. They were never meant to be here. They inflicted incredible damage, but now that the cause of that damage NO LONGER EXISTS, it is time to restore everything to perfection. Not until that happens will the great controversy be completed."
___________
Liz, I suggest that the words, "now that the cause of that damage no longer exists", are spoken in the present tense, because the writer is treating the new heavens (i.e. new atmosphere) and the new earth as if they were in the present tense.
Today the cause of that damage DOES still exist, but the day will come when it will not. Ultimately though, the "cause" of sin is, and will eternally remain, a "mystery". There will never be a rational reason for it.
But death entered in BY SIN (Rom 5:12). Death, and every other form of damage, came into existence through that same agency, and even if the Devil were to die today, sin would continue. (Matt 15:19.)
The statement that "now that the cause of that damage no longer exists" is in the setting of the New Earth. Satan will no longer exist.
I thought about the " no more sea" and wonder if this will really be. I was planning on having a house overlooking the sea and a luscious farm . It does not really matter because Jesus does all things well.
I wonder what will make us sin no more. Will it be the eating from the tree of life which is there for the healing of the nations or when the corrupt puts on incorruptible or because the tree of good and evil is not there or Satan will not be there or God will take away our Will power or? . Can I get some feedback please? Thanks.
The redeemed will sin no more because their faith in God was tested on this earth. After being faithful here and seeing how supremely loving God is, they will never doubt Him again.
God will not take anyone's freedom of choice away.
I do not believe in a no more *literal* sea. Why would tere no longer be an ocean?
Of course there will be! I like the way the author phrased it, as a barrier.
Also, sea is a symbol for crowds... we will have the entire planet to roam. I don't think we would all be piled on top of each other the way we are in large metropolitan areas.
I can't wait for the new earth! It is all I dream about. I talk about it daily. How wonderful will it be, no more killing animals, no more pollution, no more wars or hate or sadness or sin! We will each have our own house, nobody will work for another person (no more class struggle!), we will roam the planet (and maybe the universe), talk with angels, meet the Patriarchs and espcially -- See Jesus Face to Face!!!
I don't understand how people don't want this!!!! My biggest desire is the New Earth. I can't wait for Jesus to come!!!!
The oceans cover more than 70% of this planet's surface, and they certainly separate population groups from each other. It is likely that this was not God's original plan but the result of the "fountains of the deep" breaking up to spew out water, with consequent collapse of much of the surface of the earth.
I don't know whether you have aver been on the shores of Lake Michigan or Lake Superior, but those great bodies of fresh water are probably "sea" enough for most people. 😉 I suspect that what the Lord has in store for us is better than we can imagine. 🙂
Lake Michigan has a surface area of about 22,400 square miles.
The "Sea of Galilee" has a surface area of about 65 square miles.
It strikes me that if the "Sea of Galilee" can be called a "SEA" in Scripture, then I very much agree with you Inge, "those great bodies of fresh water [like Lake Michigan etc.] are probably "sea" enough for most [Bible reading] people." 🙂
Since God will make "all things new" (Rev 21:5), the new earth (Rev. 21:1) and new heavens may not be anything like the ones God created the first time. For example, the sun was part of God's first creation but will be absent when He makes all things new (Rev. 22:5). No eyes have seen (not even Adam or Eve), nor ears heard what God is preparing for us (1 Corinthians 2:9).
I too look forward to the new earth but imagine that I have no idea how amazingly wonderful and beautiful it will be.
Sieg, I understand there will be "no need" for the sun or moon in the Holy City, because the brightness of the presence of God will illuminate the City, but I don't read anywhere that the sun "will be absent." 🙂
Inge and Stewart:
I guess I just prefer the literal interpretation of “all things new” (Rev. 21:5) and “new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away” (Rev. 21:1) given that God told John to “Write, for these words are true and faithful” (Rev. 21:5).
This is corroborated in Psalm 102:25-26. “Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You will endure; Yes, they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will change them, And they will be changed.”
Well, Sieg, to me, a "literal reading" would seem to indicate that God would re-create/renew the sun and the moon. 🙂 And a literal reading would seem to indicate that there is no need for sun or moon in the city of the New Jerusalem because God is its light. (Also see Stewart's comment below.)
Sieg, that's an interesting thought about the Sun being absent when He makes all things new. It seems to me that those in the City have no need for the light of the Sun, but this doesn't necessarily mean that the Sun will not exist, does it?
There is a thought in Isaiah 30 that refers to the new creation :
"...the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun [as it currently is], and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD binds up the breach of his people, and heals the stroke of their wound." (Isa 30:26)
I've understood that this refers to the healing/removing of the curse of Gen 3:17. This also seems to be the view presented in the Spirit of Prophecy :
"...the light of the Sun shall be sevenfold greater than it is now. Over the scene the morning stars will sing together, and the sons of God will shout for joy." (8Testimonies p.42)
The origin of sin is satan, He is going to be destroyed together with his angels. Sin will be no more because the devil will be there no more
I am glad that in the new earth there will be no more sin, however I don't think we can lay all the blame on Satan. He didn't make Adam & Eve sin, they made their own choice. I believe there will no more sin because all our hearts will be made new and perfectly in harmony with the will of God and we won't choose to sin.
God has not left us in complete ignorance of what the new creation will be like. He allowed Ellen White in vision to catch a glimpse of glory and she has recorded it magnificently, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit for our benefit so we can also share in the wonder of what God has prepared for us though our eyes have not seen, "nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him" (1 Cor 2:9).
I get goose bumps just taking in her descriptions of Jesus sounding His silver trumpet while descending on a cloud wrapped in fire. He gazes at the graves of the righteous dead, raises His hands and eyes to heaven and commands them, "Awake!Awake!Awake! ye that sleep in the dust, and arise." The graves are opened up by a mighty earthquake and the dead rise to immortality. No more dying. I can understand why Mrs. White was completely distraught at coming back to this earth after receiving such a vision
In the vision Ellen white is among God's redeemed who are caught up together in the cloud with Jesus for a 7-day trip to the sea of glass. How about that? It's the coolest flight to ever have and it's free! No planes, no tickets, no baggage. After their coronation, by Jesus Himself, the saint receive golden harps, palms of victory(Those of us who didn't get to play a not in this life, there you go). There's also a white robe or mantle from shoulder to feet for all the redeemed but God isn't done yet. Ellen White describes:
"Angels were all about us as we marched over the sea of glass to the gate of the city. Jesus raised His mighty, glorious arm, laid hold of the pearly gate, swung it back on its glittering hinges and said to us, "you have washed your robes in my blood, stood stiffly for my truth, enter in." We all marched in and felt that we had a perfect right in the city."
Then there is the tree of life with two trunks (of pure, transparent gold), one on each side of the the river of life, flowing out from the throne of God. The fruits of this tree "looked like gold mixed with silver." What is that really like? There's a field of flowers of every variety imaginable, that will NEVER fade, of "living green grass, glorious to behold", with a reflection of silver and gold "waving proudly to the glory of Jesus." The animals lay peacefully together and did no harm to God's redeemed as they passed through among them lying in the field. I am completely awed.
Let's all determine to NOT MISS this appointment with Jesus.
When all my labors and trial are o'er,
And I am safe on that beautiful shore,
Just to be near the dear Lord I adore
Will through the ages be glory for me.
O that will be glory for me,
Glory for me, glory for me!
When by His grace I shall look on His face
That will be glory
Be glory for me!
Thank you, Claudette. It seems that we all too often quote only part of a passage in order to say something contrary to what would become obvious if we were to read the rest of the statement.
To me this does not indicate that we have been left clueless, but the best part of what God has prepared for us will be the intangibles, will it not?
So glad someone else also reads the next verse, it changes the meaning of verse 9.
Indeed, R.G.! Thanks for your input. Blessings to you!
Claudette,
Please state your reference (with page number), so we can all look it up.
Thanks
"Angels were all about us as we marched over the sea of glass to the gate of the city. Jesus raised His mighty, glorious arm, laid hold of the pearly gate, swung it back on its glittering hinges and said to us, "you have washed your robes in my blood, stood stiffly for my truth, enter in." We all marched in and felt that we had a perfect right in the city."
I recognize the passage from Early Writings . You may want to check it out while waiting for Claudette to cite the exact page. (Direct quotes should be accompanied by a direct citation.) I believe this is from Ellen's first vision. You can read the book online by clicking on the link above, or you can purchase your own copy in Kindle or Paperback format.
Sorry Guys,
Just a slip up. I remembered at some point after posting but just got the opportunity to get back to this page. Inge is right; it's Ellen White's first vision and the reference is Early Writings, Starting at page 15 onward. Thanks Jenifer and Inge.
Blessings to all the family!
The hope of a new world completely expunged of sin, no longer sullied by sin and the restoration of all things, have been long cherished by people of God. Isaiah (Isaiah 65: 17) saw on the screen of prophecy new heavens and a earth; Ezekiel 40-48 presents to us a renewed land of promise; 2 Peter 3:13 refers to new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness permeates every aspect of life and of course Christ spoke of a world that has been regenerated. This is exciting news to hang on to especially that we know that God is not man that He can lie.
I fully concur with the saints that the reference in Rev 21: 1 "no more sea" is symbolic. In Isaiah 57: 20 the wicked are compared to the turbulent sea. Could it be that it merely stresses the point that in the new world therell be no sinners there? Maybe the reference to "no more sea" means that the sea that currently covers so much space will give way to create more habitable land for the redeemed? Whatever it means one thing for sure the world made new will be restored to what God intended it to be before sin spoilt it for us. I just want to be in that number when the saints go marching in. Praise Jesus!
The aim of GOD was to create animals and plants so as to glorify his name under the domination of human beings. BUT after the fall, all things became wrong and the scars of sin are experenced till now. God plans to perish away this destructed world and create the new one in which there is no longer sin. REV21:1-6.Let us fight for the kingdom.
New heaven and a new earth. Try this on for size.
In the beginning God created the universe.
Either God existed in the spans of a never ending universe occupying space, or He just existed and created the universe and now occupied a space of this newly formed empty universe.
And then the earth was formless and desolate and the raging ocean that covered everything was engulfed in total darkness. A water world!
He then commanded light to appear and then formed darkness. First day!
On the fourth day He brought in the sun, moon, and stars.
We are now educated from the science that with the probes and far reaching telescope, the Hubble, and a new one is on it way, and it is so massive that in order to raise it off the earth they have to figure how to fold it, transport and open it up before the cold space will freeze any gears and what have you, to work for a closer look into the far reaches of space.
They indicated that they will with this new telescope be able to see through gases towards the solid objects, other worlds.
So far they have indicated that all the solar system they have been able to study that the planets revolving around their own sun are either too far or to close to the sun. With that in mind, it cannot contain life as it does on earth. Too far and it’s too cold and to close it’s too hot and cannot contain life as we know it.
They have discovered that a 24 hour day is attributed to this planet alone.
So the Sabbath was instituted for man and it seems thus far that we may be the only one that has a 24 hour day weekly cycle and revolving around the sun in a perfect orbit where it’s not too cold or too hot.
It’s quite possible that the other worlds occupied with humans just like us that they either have a perfect planet like earth observing the Sabbath every seventh day or they are worshiping with us because we have the weekly cycle and their planet may have longer days.
Ellen White said that when God recreates by the World everything new, that at this point the earth will now become the center of the universe with all other planets revolving around the earth and not the sun because there will be not need of the sun in the New Jerusalem where God will have His throne.
It stands to reason that the throne of God is at the center of the universe as we speak. And with no end to the universe, that is in human terms tricky. Where is the center?
The Bible says that we cannot imagine what God has in store for us that love Him. But were told we can try.
All I can say is "Praise God" when we get there because I know I'll love it, whatever it is because He made it!
Is the new earth and the new Jerusalem descent are 2 separate events? Please clarify.
First of all, the New Jerusalem and the New Earth are not the same. One is the city, the other is this planet recreated by God and restored to its original beauty.
In a couple of scenes in Rev 20:9, we have the wicked surrounding "the beloved city"/ "camp of the saints" to attack it. However, "fire came down from heaven and devoured them."
So it seems that the saints are in a city on this earth for the wicked to feel that they can attack the city. It seems to me that the only city with "saints" at this time would be the New Jerusalem. The fire destroys not only the wicked, but the "elements melt with fervent heat," (2 Peter 3:10-12) as Peter says, in readiness for the new creation.
Revelation 20 begins a new scene/ another vision. John sees the New Jerusalem in a different setting. "He who sits on the throne said, 'Behold I make all things new.'" (Rev 21:5)So it seems to me that the saints in the city will be able to observe as God recreates this world. The result is the New Earth. 🙂
The new heaven and new earth teaching of the SDA church of blending 2 Peter 3;13 with Revelation 21:1 as though they are the same event is flawed.
Revelation 21:1 - new heaven and new earth has no death mentioned in Revelation 21:4. Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Yet Isaiah 65:17 - new heaven and new earth does have death mentioned in Isaiah 65:20 Isa 65:20 There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.
What is going on here? Simple answer, there more than one occasion of a new heaven and a new earth to come. How would Noah had described the heaven and the earth after the flood? Probably say we have a new heaven and a new earth. Because the old heaven and the old earth had been destroyed by the flood.