“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” (Revelation 21:1). The millennial earth isn’t perfect, so God, “uncreated the old heaven and earth” it passed away! The psalmist said the earth and heavens will grow old like a garment; and God will change them (Psalm 102:25-26). This fulfilled the words of Jesus about the permanence of God’s Word, “I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled” (Matthew 5:18). Peter said the old heavens and earth will melt with intense heat, and according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:10-13). There is no need for a sea in God’s eternal heaven and earth, because the river of the water of life is coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb (Revelation 22:1).
“Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:2). Jerusalem will be restored for the Millennial Kingdom that’s ruled by Jesus Christ (Isaiah 62:1), and this earthly Jerusalem will be replaced by the New Jerusalem in heaven. Jesus said, “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name” (Revelation 3:12). The New Jerusalem is the dwelling place for all of God’s people, enjoying a personal and intimate communion with God. The psalmist wrote, “Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You…God is my portion forever… it is good for me to draw near to God” (Psalm 73:25-26, 28).
“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” (Revelation 21:3). “A loud voice from heaven” is mentioned in Revelation 10:4, 11:12, and 18:4, and it’s probably the voice of God. The New Jerusalem is the Father’s house and God’s people are dwelling in His presence. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). Jesus said He would prepare a place for His followers (John 14:1-6). After the sinful rebellion of Adam and Eve, the ultimate goal of all God’s actions are for the purpose of fulfilling the fellowship between God and His people. In the New Jerusalem man will see God face-to-face (Revelation 22:4). Every person who is in the New Jerusalem is there because of God’s amazing grace (Ephesians 2:8-9)—it’s all a work of God!
“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” (Revelation 21:4). The tears of misfortune, poverty, remorse, lost love, sympathy, mercy, pity, regret, and even our tears of joy are gone forever. “He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces…They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isaiah 25:8, 35:10). Death is cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14). All the memories of pain, suffering, and death are gone forever in the new heaven and earth. Paul said this world is passing away and we long to be clothed with our heavenly body (1 Corinthians 7:29, 2 Corinthians 5:4). John tells Christians not to love this present world because it is extremely temporary when compared to eternity (1 John 2:15-16).
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” (Revelation 21:5). What an amazing experience that must have been for the apostle John to hear God speaking to him. God will create a new heaven and new earth that mankind can’t even imagine. “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind” (Isaiah 65:17). Paul wrote, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1Corinthians 2:9). The old creation groaned under the curse God put on it and the corruption of mankind (Romans 8:19-23) is now replaced with a new heaven and new earth. God reminds John that it’s his job to record what he sees and hears for all believers in Jesus Christ. “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in Heaven” (Psalm 119:89).
And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts” (Revelation 21:6). As Jesus was dying for the sins of the world, He said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Death and Satan have been destroyed, and God’s redemption for His people and His new creation are complete. The phrase, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End” is used for Jesus Christ and God the Father (Revelation 1:11, 2:8, 21:6, 22:13). Jesus and the Father are One (John 10:30). Jesus said, “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also…Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me” (John 14:7, 11). Jesus is “the Beginning of the creation of God (Revelation 3:14). Jesus said, “Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst…and will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life” (John 4:14). You can drink of the water of eternal life in God’s heaven, or drink of the lake of fire—it’s your choice!
