New Heavens And A New Earth

For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;
And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.
Isaiah 65:17

The Hebraic word for new is chadash (Strong's OT:2319). It means a fresh new thing. The meaning of its root word (Strong's OT:2318) is to be new - to rebuild, renew and repair. The English words "heaven" and "heavens" shared the same plural Hebraic word shamayim (Strong's OT:8064). They refer to the skies and the galaxies. The singular shameh is not often used in the Hebrew language.

The new heaven and the new earth refer to the perfected state of the newly re-created universe. It is the final dwelling place of the righteous. It is a re-creation, and not a totally brand new universe.

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth,
for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. (Rev. 21:1)

This same concept of passing away is also used to describe a sinner becoming a saint.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Cor. 5:17)

Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. This is the regeneration, restoration and renewal of the spirit man! A restored and renewed man! The man is reconciled with his God! But the man remains physically the same, having the same face and body features, hands, legs, hairstyle and teeth. A new creation is a re-creation!

For this corruptible must put on incorruption,
and this mortal must put on immortality. (1 Cor. 15:53)

When Jesus returns, our corruptible bodies will be transformed into incorruptible bodies that cannot perish but will live forever.

This concept of renewal and restoration is also mentioned in Jeremiah 1:10:

See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms,
To root out and to pull down,
To destroy and to throw down,
To build and to plant.

There are three steps involved:

To root out and to pull down - Demolishing
To destroy and to throw down - Clearing and disposal of debris and waste
To build and to plant - Rebuilding and replanting

Rooted deeply in the Hebraic minds was the dream of a new heaven and a new earth. This re-creation of the universe would occur following the Day of the LORD (Isaiah 13:10-13; Joel 2:1-2, 30-31). The concept of a re-created universe is closely related to the Biblical account of the Creation and the Fall of man in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1 - 3).

Because of the sin of man, the creation of God suffered futility, bondage and corruption.

For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him Who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. (Romans 8:19-22)

The whole creation including mankind, birds, fishes, animals, plants, trees, skies, seas, land, hills, mountains, rivers and oceans suffer in diseases, decay and death as they await their liberation and regeneration to be set free from the bondages and corruption of sin. The whole creation has been groaning and laboring with birth pangs together until now. Therefore they eagerly wait for the new heavens and the new earth!

The apostle Peter also stated that the new heavens and the new earth will occur after the Day of the Lord when Christ returns (2 Peter 3:10-13):

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.

The present heavens and the present earth will pass away. God is going to purify the whole universe with His holy fire. Everything on heaven and earth will be burned and purified. The whole universe will be renewed, restored and regenerated to form the new heavens and the new earth! This is the place where righteousness dwells! No righteous man is allowed in!

See that you do not refuse Him Who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him Who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him Who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, "Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven." Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:25-29)

God is going to shake not only the earth but also the heavens too. He will sift out everything without solid foundations so that only the unshakable things will remain! He is a consuming fire.

When Christ returns, this present evil age will give way to the glorious age to come. The universe will be purified and cleansed by the power of God. This will be like the purging of the earth as in the days of Noah, but on a universal scale and by God's holy fire. This time, the heavens are included also. God is going to restore His law and order in heaven and on earth! All the evil angels including Satan will be destroyed and cast into the lake of fire.

The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Rev. 20:10)

What is in the new heavens and the new earth? The answer is found in Isaiah 65:17-25:

"For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;
And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.

But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create;
For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing,
And her people a joy.

I will rejoice in Jerusalem,
And joy in My people;
The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her,
Nor the voice of crying.

No more shall an infant from there live but a few days,
Nor an old man who has not fulfilled his days;
For the child shall die one hundred years old,
But the sinner being one hundred years old shall be accursed.

They shall build houses and inhabit them;
They shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

They shall not build and another inhabit;
They shall not plant and another eat;
For as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people,
And My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.

They shall not labor in vain,
Nor bring forth children for trouble;
For they shall be the descendants of the blessed of the LORD,
And their offspring with them.

It shall come to pass
That before they call, I will answer;
And while they are still speaking, I will hear.

The wolf and the lamb shall feed together,
The lion shall eat straw like the ox,
And dust shall be the serpent's food.

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,"
Says the LORD.

This is also mentioned in the New Testament. There will be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. No more disease and plague. I believe all the harmful mosquitoes, viruses and germs would be burned and destroyed completely. Otherwise, they would become sanctified and harmless too, and would feed on vegetation only.

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.

Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

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. 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."

Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." (Rev. 21:1-5)

One interesting note about the new heaven and the new earth is that there is no more sea. As such, there will also be no more hurricanes and typhoons! Praise God! He will make all things new!

What is this New Jerusalem? When the LORD comes back to Jerusalem, He will save her. He will rejoice over her with gladness. He will quiet her with His love. He will rejoice over her with singing. Jerusalem will be a New Jerusalem. No more sorrow. No more tears. Jerusalem will be filled with great rejoicing and great joy! She is the beautiful Bride of God!

In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
"Do not fear;
Zion, let not your hands be weak.
The LORD your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:16-17)

In Isaiah 66:22-23, the new heavens and the new earth will be a place to worship God from one New Moon to another, from one Sabbath to another!

"For as the new heavens and the new earth
Which I will make shall remain before Me," says the LORD,
"So shall your descendants and your name remain.
And it shall come to pass
That from one New Moon to another,
And from one Sabbath to another,
All flesh shall come to worship before Me," says the LORD.

This is also recorded in the Book of Revelation. We will be praising and worshipping God forever and ever throughout eternity!

Source:
Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Written on:
27 September 2005