A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH
Revelation 21:1 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. 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. 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. 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.
The responsibility of the heavens, as with all creation, is to manifest the glory of the Creator. Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 97:6 The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory. And that is especially the benefit of these new heavens and earth. For in these dwell righteousness.
And that we are not referring to the literal heavens and earth is obvious by the Apostle’s writings. The Apostle Peter speaks of them as the residing place of righteousness. 2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. And the Apostle Paul declares that the true believers presently sit there with their Lord. Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
For this is the “place” the Lord said he was going to the cross to prepare for them. John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
And the Apostle John refers to the purging of heaven to have occurred by Satan’s ejection, which took place at Christ’s victory at the cross! Revelation 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
The Prophet Isaiah also spoke concerning the new heaven and earth. Isaiah 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. For these must be made new in order to house the new creation Christ Jesus – the born again believer! 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
And Jeremiah prophesied of such a time and place in a new covenant where iniquities should never be brought to mind. Jeremiah 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
Isaiah 66:22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. And here again, Isaiah prophesies of the endurance of these new heavens and earth to be as the endurance of Christ (“thy seed”), and his redemption! Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
And as the Father has been made satisfied regarding the full payment for man’s sin, so the believer now has entrance into His presence by a new way! Isaiah 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Hebrews 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
And indeed, it is a “new way,” for even the man Moses was not allowed to see the face of God, which is shown to the redeemed believer in the revelation of God’s Son for their justification to life. Exodus 33:20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. 23 And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.
John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Also, the old covenant was symbolized by Moses and the law. But the new covenant is set forth in Christ Jesus through grace! The law made nothing better. It simply showed just how bad things were! John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Forgiveness and cleansing can only come by grace, which is the gift of God! Romans 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
As we have seen, there are only two eras in human history. The first was the law, the second is now grace. And those before the giving of the law were also within that first era. For all are included in it before the accomplishment of redemption at the cross of our Lord Jesus! Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
And both these eras are dealt with by the accomplishment of redemption. Hebrews 10:8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
And the former things of sin and the law have been taken away, so that the second era of the new heavens and new earth may be established. The satisfaction of God the Father has removed all the pain of transgression and guilt of sin from redeemed souls. All the former things are passed away to make ready for the atmosphere of redemption! Revelation 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. 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. 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.
The Samaritan woman at the well knew of this! For when the Lord told her that worship would be changed from PLACE, to condition of heart, (“spirit and truth”), she relied on Messiah, which is called Christ, to come and lead even the Samaritan’s into the new and proper mode of worship. John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us (‘us Samaritans’) all things. 26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. She was looking for the new world and discovered the Messiah Himself!
Then the Lord Jesus, in speaking with his disciples about his necessary departure, in order to allow for the new world to be introduced, gave insight in the difference of the Lord’s formerly dealing with exclusively with Israel, to that of His dealings now, in the matter of revelation, to “the world.” For further revelation from him to the world was impeded by still dwelling in the former heavens and earth! John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
It is obvious to the serious student of the word, by the Spirit, that the new heavens and earth came down from God out of heaven at Pentecost! Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
For the era, (old world) of David, the king of Israel, was over. And even David did not assume that it was himself who should reign forever on the literal throne of Israel. But he knew, by revelation, that it would be Messiah who would rule and reign over God’s spiritual Israel – the church, as well as the entire world order! Acts 2:29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. 30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. 34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool. 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
The Holy Scriptures clearly state that Christ is presently reigning Lord. Why does religion hold to any other doctrine?!? 1 Corinthians 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. That does not say that he will reign WHEN all enemies shall be put under his feet! It emphatically states that he must continue to reign on his mediatorial throne UNTIL all enemies shall be subdued. And the last enemy will be destroyed at his coming by the resurrection! 2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
Wake up, dear Reader! Or it will all be over before you realize that it has happened! For as in Noah’s days, so shall it be. And they “KNEW NOT” until the flood came and took them all away! Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
May God have mercy!
Pastor Gene Breed
October 13, 2017
