Good morning,
The earth as we know it is uninhabited. The saved are in heaven and the lost have been judged and have been cast into the lake of fire. God is ready to restore earth to its perfection at the time of creation. He purges it with fire to remove all imperfections created as a result of the fall. (2 Peter 3:10-13)
Then we are introduced to the new heaven and new earth in Revelation 21. This will be our study this week.
The great restoration (2 Peter 3:10-13)
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”
God purifies earth with fire. The impurities such as sin, corruption, and wickedness have all been removed. We are now ready for a new heaven and earth. A perfect earth as it was in the beginning.
Revelation 21
The new heaven and the new earth (21:1-2)
“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.2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”
Isaiah prophesized the new heaven and new earth in chapter 65:17. “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” Continue to read the rest of the story, verses 18-25.
The tabernacle of God is with men (21:3)
“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.”
The presence of God will be with His people, and He will forever dwell with them. A primary purpose of redemption will be accomplished: the complete fellowship of God with His redeemed people.
God will… (21:4-8)
“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.5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
The eternal purpose of God to gather a holy, devoted people for Himself has now been accomplished. God is the origin and source of all things. He is also the goal or aim of all things.
The new Jerusalem (21:9-10)
“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 shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.”
Description of the new Jerusalem (21:11-14)
“And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”
The wall shows its security and protection. Its gate shows accessibility. The gold and precious stones depict the glory, beauty, and eternal quality of the city.
Measurements of the new Jerusalem (21:15-17)
“And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.”
It has dimensions of approximately 1500 miles cubed.
Precious jewels of the new Jerusalem (21:18-21)
“And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.”
The effect of the precious stones is a magnificent city of brilliant gold adorned with gems of every color.
The Lamb is… (21:22-27)
“And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it.25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.26 And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. 27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
There is no temple in the city, since the Father and the Son will be present in their fullest manifestation. Its light will be provided by the Shekinah glory of God and of Christ. The glory of God in the New Jerusalem will light the earth.
This is our eternal home.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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