A New Heaven And A New Earth

For a thousand years, mankind will live in world the way God intended it to be.  When they choose to follow Satan instead, God will judge them for their individual choices, and all who have rejected him will be sentenced to the Lake of Fire.  Those who have believed in him, whose names have been written in the Book of life will have been changed so they can inherit the kingdom of heaven as described in I Corinthians 15:50-53.  “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.  Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”

Mankind’s sin has corrupted the entire world, causing many changes, as described in Genesis 3, and as a result, Genesis 6:11 tells us, “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.”  Initially, there was no death, but as a result of man’s sin death came upon all men. God had intended for all animals to be vegetarian, but after death came into the world, some began to kill others.  Some animals became carnivorous, killing other animals and eating their flesh while others became scavengers, eating whatever they left.  Death became a fact of life for every living thing, and the entire earth suffered as a result, as Romans 8:21-22 tells us.  “Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.”

Because he loves mankind, God did not utterly destroy them, giving them thousands of years to choose whether to follow him or not, but one day he will judge them for their choices.  When he finishes, he will also destroy the world that has been corrupted, replacing it with a new one, as described in II Peter 3:9-13.  “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  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.  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 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?  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”

Revelation 21:1 starts with that new world.  “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.” It will be much different than the world we know.   Today three quarters of the earth is covered by water which helps to moderate and regulate temperature and weather around the world.  When temperatures rise above about forty degrees, more water evaporates, cooling the water and the resulting clouds reduce the amount of sunlight hitting the earth, helping to lower the temperature.  When the temperature falls below about forty degrees, evaporation is greatly reduced, and the water absorbs the heat, warming the air above it and limiting how cold it will get.  These effects are critical for the survival of life as we know it.  Current climate change models overlook the role water plays in regulating temperatures.  Apparently regulating temperatures will not be an issue in the new heaven and earth. 

No other descriptions of the new earth, or the new heaven themselves are given in scripture, but is is a place where God will feel comfortable.  He will create a new city called new Jerusalem. And dwell there with those who love him, according to Revelation 21:2-7.  “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  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.  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. 

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.  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.  He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”

The creation of the new heaven and new earth will eliminate all the corruption and wickedness of the world today.  God will interact personally with his people, supplying their needs for ever.  All those who have rejected him, rebelling against his authority and refusing to trust him will be cast into the Lake of fire as Revelation 21:8 describes.  “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.”  They will have no contact with that new world, but will be surrounded by the ones who have corrupted this world.