By Rene Malgo
The first chapter of the Bible begins with the words, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1), and then describes how God created the universe. In the center was the Garden of Eden with the “tree of life” (Genesis 2:9), where God Himself had direct fellowship with the people He created (cf. Genesis 3:8). This was, in the truest sense of the word, paradise on earth. This was the beginning.How will the end be? The penultimate chapter of the Bible begins with the words, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth” (Revelation 21:1), and describes how God will create a new universe. Then, the new Jerusalem with the “tree of life” (Revelation 22:2) will be the central point, where God Himself will have direct fellowship with the people He has redeemed (Revelation 21:3-4). This will be paradise on earth again in the truest sense of the word.
The Bible begins with paradise and the Bible ends with paradise. The Bible begins with the creation of heaven and earth, and the Bible ends with the creation of a new heaven and a new earth.
In the third chapter of the Bible, already we read that paradise was lost because the first man, Adam, sinned. Through him mankind was excluded from paradise, from the tree of life and from direct fellowship with God (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12-21). But in the fourth and third to last chapters of the Bible, we see how the last Man, Jesus Christ, will judge sinners and the author of sin and will restore paradise. Through Him mankind can gain entry into paradise, to the tree of life and direct fellowship with God (Revelation 19—20; Romans 5:12-21).
Since the fall of man, creation has been under a curse (Genesis 3:17). The apostle Paul reveals that the present creation is waiting for the “manifestation of the sons of God” (Romans 8:19). He says, “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now” in Romans 8:22. The accursed creation is waiting longingly to be finally liberated from the corrupt influence of sin, and ruled by the sons of God (Romans 8:20-21). It is lying in birth pangs and waiting for its rebirth, “…when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory” (Matthew 19:28). It is waiting for the time when “the God of heaven [shall] set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people” (Daniel 2:44). We find the ultimate fulfillment of this desire described in the two last chapters of the Bible.
A new creation
The apostle Peter declares,
Our goal is not only the present heaven, where we shall go when we die (cf. Philippians 1:23), but also a new universe. We find the corresponding promise in the Old Testament, where the Lord promises through the prophet Isaiah,
“Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13).
Our goal is not only the present heaven, where we shall go when we die (cf. Philippians 1:23), but also a new universe. We find the corresponding promise in the Old Testament, where the Lord promises through the prophet Isaiah,
“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind” (Isaiah 65:17).
This is what the whole of creation is longingly waiting for. The fulfillment of this promise will apparently be so tremendous that when it happens, “the former shall not be remembered nor come into mind.” This is why Paul can say, despite the worst possible situations that a person can find himself in today,
“I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).
When the apostle John was shown this coming glory of the new heaven and the new earth in the book of Revelation, he seemed to be so overwhelmed that God Himself had to remind him of his task,
After the conclusion of the vision of the new universe, God said the same thing again,
Twice the Almighty God emphasizes,
“Write: for these words are true and faithful” (Revelation 21:5).
After the conclusion of the vision of the new universe, God said the same thing again,
“These sayings are faithful and true” (Revelation 22:6).
Twice the Almighty God emphasizes,
“I mean what I say. I will keep My promise. The new heaven and the new earth will surely come as I have revealed it.”
Just as God created the universe at the beginning of time, He will also create a new universe at the end of time. As the “world that then was” was destroyed through the water of the flood, the “heavens and the earth which are now” will be destroyed by fire, as the apostle Peter explains (2 Peter 3:6-7, 10-12). And like a phoenix out of the ashes, out of this burned universe, a new universe will arise. This is the future glory which we await. This is the paradise we are longing for.
The beauty of the old creation which we enjoy today, will be far greater in the new creation. We, and with us the whole of the old creation, are waiting for paradise—not only in a restored, but in a new and better form. Randy Alcorn expressed this as follows: the Garden of Eden stands for the absence of the curse; the new earth will stand for the presence of all blessings.
The eternal glory will be unimaginably glorious. The new which God will create will not be boring or unimaginative. It will be even greater. When God makes something new, it is better, much better. The new covenant is better than the old covenant. The new universe is better than the old universe. Yes, the new earth, the new creation, will be more exciting, varied, more beautiful, splendid and glorious than the earth which we now know.
A new center
Although God is always the sovereign Lord over all, at the moment the devil is allowed to rule over the fallen earth (cf. Matthew 4:8; Ephesians 6:12). The world dances to his tune (Ephesians 2:2). This will change! Jesus Christ, the “King of kings and Lord of lords,” will set His foot on this (old) earth in great power and glory (Revelation 19:16). He will commence His reign and bind Satan and his demons for a thousand years (Revelation 20:2-3). During this time, Jesus Christ will reign as King of the Jews on this earth in Israel, as Moses and the prophets promised (cf. Deuteronomy 30:1-10; Isaiah 2:1-5). The Old Testament prophet, Daniel, saw it as follows,
It is the beginning of the rebirth, “…when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory” (Matthew 19:28). The groaning creation will receive what it has longingly waited for—but only in part. Sin is still present, in spite of the reign of Jesus Christ and the absence of Satan and his powers of darkness; men will still die (cf. Isaiah 65:20). The devastating power of sin will be revealed when Satan will be set loose after a thousand years and deceive many out of the nations, “the number of whom is as the sand of the sea,” to stage a last rebellion (Revelation 20:7-8). But God will devour the rebels with fire from heaven (Revelation 20:9).
“And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed” (Daniel 7:14; cf. also Daniel 2:44).
It is the beginning of the rebirth, “…when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory” (Matthew 19:28). The groaning creation will receive what it has longingly waited for—but only in part. Sin is still present, in spite of the reign of Jesus Christ and the absence of Satan and his powers of darkness; men will still die (cf. Isaiah 65:20). The devastating power of sin will be revealed when Satan will be set loose after a thousand years and deceive many out of the nations, “the number of whom is as the sand of the sea,” to stage a last rebellion (Revelation 20:7-8). But God will devour the rebels with fire from heaven (Revelation 20:9).
After this, the final judgment will take place before the great white throne of God. Then, Jesus Christ will have “put down all rule and authority and power” (1 Corinthians 15:24). The devil, his demons and all enemies of God will be “cast into the lake of fire and brimstone…and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Revelation 20:10; cf. also verses 11-15). And then, “…the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:26). Everything will be under Jesus’ feet (1 Corinthians 15:27). Every knee will bow, “… things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth,” and every tongue will confess “that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11). With this, the end will have come, at which the Lord Jesus “…shall have delivered up the kingdom to God” (1 Corinthians 15:24), in order to reign with Him for all eternity. Now God the Father will create a new earth “…wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13), a new universe without sin, without the devil, without demons. The rebirth will be completed; the birth pangs of the old creation are finally over.
The old universe, purified by fire, will simultaneously give birth to a new universe that is cleansed of sin. The longing of creation is completely fulfilled, “…that God may be all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:28). The kingdom “which will never be destroyed,” and which began on the sinful earth in the millennium of peace, has now reached its ultimate condition in the sinless eternity (cf. Daniel 2:44).
This eternal kingdom of heaven in the new universe will have one all-surpassing center: it is “the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb” (Revelation 21:22). The apostle then gives one of the most glorious descriptions in the Bible,
“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” (Revelation 21:2-4).
The new universe will be characterized by the fact that God will dwell with men (Revelation 21:3-4). They will even “see his face” (Revelation 22:4; cf. also 1 John 3:2). Just as God walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, on the new earth men will live with God and be able to walk with Him! God will have his throne of glory in the new metropolis that descends from heaven in the new universe. This capital is also called “the bride, the Lamb’s wife” or “the holy Jerusalem” (Revelation 21:9-10). It is probably the house of the Father in which there are “many mansions,” or “many rooms,” as the NIV translates this. The Amplified Bible says “many homes.” Thus, it is the dwelling place of God, the heavenly Zion (cf. Hebrews 12:22), which will come down to the new earth (Revelation 21:2, 10). In the new universe, heaven will literally be on earth.
The Lamb, Jesus, is mentioned repeatedly in Revelation 21—22. The New Jerusalem belongs to Him (Revelation 21:9); He is the temple of the city, together with God the Father (Revelation 21:22). He is seated with the Father on the throne and reigns (verse 23). For all eternity the Lamb will be the center of the new universe, the Lamb “as it had been slain” (Revelation 5:6). Thus, it is emphasized: this is Jesus Christ, “the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). It is no coincidence that the King of kings is called a Lamb here. In John 20:27, we learn that the resurrection body of Jesus Christ bears the wounds of the crucifixion. For God, it would have been an easy task to give Him a glorious body, free of wounds. But with this scarred body Jesus Christ ascended into heaven. Why? So God’s redeemed people will be reminded “for ever and ever” why they are able to enjoy this eternal glory.
Out of love, God sent His Son to this earth 2,000 years ago, who humbled Himself and died on the cross for the sins of the world (Philippians 2:6-8). He bore the punishment of God for sinners voluntarily so that, if they believe, they are reconciled to the holy God through His shed blood, and through His resurrection receive eternal life (Romans 4:25 and 5:9-10). The people will be reminded of this truth in the new universe, when they see the Lamb of God face to face, with the wounds on His resurrection body.
God the Father and the Lamb, on the throne of glory in the new metropolis of the new earth, will be the incontestable center of the new universe. The power of sin will no longer reign but the power of the most High.
A new condition
How will it be in the new universe, where God Himself will dwell with man? The awful news first is that there will be an “outside” (Revelation 22:15), a place for the “dogs,” the fearful and unbelieving, the abominable, the sorcerers, the whoremongers, the murderers, the idolaters and the liars (Revelation 21:8, 27; 22:15). Revelation 21:8 calls this place “the lake which burneth with fire.” These people will not be allowed in the new universe, and especially not in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:27; 22:15). Somewhere, therefore, there will be a place of eternal punishment.
It is obvious: in the new universe only the redeemed will live, whose sins have been washed away by the blood of Jesus and atoned for through His death on the cross. For there is no one who has not been proven a liar, a coward or, at least in his heart, a murderer, fornicator or idolater. In the new universe there will be no atheists, no Buddhists, no Muslims and no Jews or “Christians” who rejected Jesus as their Lord. In the new universe you will only meet people who through faith in Jesus Christ are reconciled with God and just and holy.
This means, among other things, that the inhabitants of the new universe will not meet any wicked people. On the new earth, whoever speaks with another will not have to fear that the person he is talking to is lying to him. There will be no discussion over right or wrong; nobody will put anything before the worship and glorifying of God. Nobody will deceive another. Nobody will do, say or think anything evil. Nobody will quarrel with another. Nobody will hate anyone.
“And there shall be no more curse” (Revelation 22:3).The curse of sin which lies over our present old creation will no longer be present in the new heaven or on the new earth. Nothing will break or decay. No curse—no sin. No sin—no death. No death—no decay. Conditions will be perfect. The new creation of the new universe will be eternal and faultless. There will be no tears, no death, no sorrow, no crying, no pain (Revelation 21:3-4). There will be no night, and the sun and the moon will no longer be necessary, because God Himself is the pulsating source of light and life on the new earth (Revelation 21:22-24).
According to Revelation 21:3, people will live in this perfect new creation, together with the angels (verse 12). This speaks of men, and not of souls or of spirits. What is man? A unity of body, soul and spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23; cf. Proverbs 20:27; Romans 8:10; 1 Corinthians 5:3; 7:34).
In the new creation, real people will live with real bodies. Those who believe in Christ have the hope of being resurrected one day in sinlessness (1 Corinthians 15; 1 Thessalonians 4:13ff.). All the redeemed will receive resurrection bodies liberated from sin; the “vile body” of every believer will be changed “like unto his glorious body” (Philippians 3:20-21). Why? Because the redeemed will one day live in perfect resurrection bodies in a perfect new universe, with their perfect risen Lord under perfect conditions.
The prophet Daniel reveals that people will be resurrected, some “to everlasting life” and others “to shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2-3). Some will receive resurrection bodies for eternal condemnation, and others for eternal paradise. On the new earth, redeemed, risen, and glorified people will live. They will be like the angels of God in heaven (Matthew 22:30). And as varied and different as God created man, so varied and different they will be in their glorified condition, when they bear “the image of the heavenly” (1 Corinthians 15:49) and have spiritual, i.e. heavenly bodies. The resurrection of the redeemed does not mean the conforming of all the redeemed into the same image, but an individual transformation and glorifying of each individual redeemed person (1 Corinthians 15:35-49). Just as Jesus had an individual resurrection body, on which His wounds were visible (John 20:27), so the redeemed will also receive an individual resurrection body (Philippians 3:20-21).
The redeemed people in the new universe will be God’s people (Revelation 21:3). Some translations say “nations,” depending on which option the translator finds more applicable. The whole text of Revelation 21–22 permits the use of the word “nations,” absolutely: Revelation 21:12 namely mentions the “twelve tribes of the children of Israel,” and verses 24 and 26 speak of “nations,” i.e. Gentile nations (in the plural). It appears as though even in the eternal new universe, there will be a difference between Israel and the nations. Thus, it is not wrong to suppose that on the new earth there will be different nations who all serve the same God. Why should the line not be continued, which began in the millennium on the sinful earth? In eternity it will be without sin!
Who says that God will do away with variety in the new universe? No person is identical to another. No redeemed person is the same as another. We are all different members with different tasks, nationalities and characters, belonging to one body, the body of Christ. The glorifying of our own body will not eliminate our character, but only blot out our weaknesses and sinfulness. Paul declares that God,
Mankind is made of one blood. There are no higher or lower races. And yet God made out of one blood different nations. Does anything contradict the fact that this variety will also be present in the new creation?
“…hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth” (Acts 17:26).
Mankind is made of one blood. There are no higher or lower races. And yet God made out of one blood different nations. Does anything contradict the fact that this variety will also be present in the new creation?
According to Revelation 21:24, the nations will walk—there is activity in the new universe. The kings of the earth will bring their glory and their riches to the new Jerusalem. People will thus be able to go in and out of the new capital. Moreover, the inhabitants of the new universe will serve God on the one hand (Revelation 22:3), and on the other hand they will “reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 22:5). They will apparently also be able to eat (Revelation 22:2; cf. also Revelation 19:9; Matthew 26:29).
Whatever this all may mean, we can hold fast to the following: in the new universe there will be hierarchies, riches, activities, culture, food and work. And this will all last forever. The prophet Daniel confirmed that the redeemed, probably the redeemed of all ages are meant,
When the Lord Jesus says that we should lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20); that many will come from the east and the west to the kingdom of heaven and sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Matthew 8:11); that the faithful servant will one day rule over many (Matthew 25:21); then we may surely take this literally (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:10). Doubtless, the new universe is the place where there is abundant life (cf. John 10:10); it is the place where God “…might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7), and this “for ever and ever” (Revelation 22:5).
“But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever” (Daniel 7:18).
When the Lord Jesus says that we should lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20); that many will come from the east and the west to the kingdom of heaven and sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Matthew 8:11); that the faithful servant will one day rule over many (Matthew 25:21); then we may surely take this literally (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:10). Doubtless, the new universe is the place where there is abundant life (cf. John 10:10); it is the place where God “…might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7), and this “for ever and ever” (Revelation 22:5).
The Almighty God, who is “…the beginning and the end” (Revelation 21:6), promises, “these words are true and faithful” (verse 5). Are you looking forward to God making all things new? Do you believe that there will be a new heaven and a new earth? Do you believe that these will be better than the most beautiful thing you can imagine?
King David knew about life in the presence of God, and said,
Life in abundance is awaiting us. The Lord promised this thousands of years ago,
“In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11).
Life in abundance is awaiting us. The Lord promised this thousands of years ago,
“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” (2 Peter 3:9).
This longsuffering, patience, love and compassion of the Lord shows itself also in the two last chapters of the Bible. God does not want to fill the place of condemnation, but the restored paradise, with people like you and me. God makes us an immensely generous offer in Revelation 21:6,
Here we see the indescribable love and glory of God. His offer stands. Jesus Christ accomplished everything for you on the cross of Calvary. He completely secured redemption. To take of the water of life freely means that—however guilty you may be before God—you can be pronounced completely just and stand before Him guiltless, because the Lord Jesus atoned for all your sins on the cross. You can take of the water of life freely, through God’s abundant grace and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:1-10).
“I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.”
Here we see the indescribable love and glory of God. His offer stands. Jesus Christ accomplished everything for you on the cross of Calvary. He completely secured redemption. To take of the water of life freely means that—however guilty you may be before God—you can be pronounced completely just and stand before Him guiltless, because the Lord Jesus atoned for all your sins on the cross. You can take of the water of life freely, through God’s abundant grace and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:1-10).
The most important peak in history is the cross. The cross is the place of exchange. There, Christ took your sinful unrighteousness and your unfitness for the new universe upon Himself, in order to give you in exchange His perfect righteousness and fitness for the new universe (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:15-19). At the cross it is decided who will be able to enjoy the great promise (Ephesians 3:6) and eternity on the new earth (Psalm 37:29).
Are you ready when the risen Lord Jesus Christ returns to fulfill all His promises? Are you looking forward to this? And does this expectation encourage you to lead a life “…in all holy conversation and godliness” (2 Peter 3:11)? Your Redeemer will give you a glory such as you cannot imagine in your wildest dreams. And He
Our answer cannot be other than,
“…which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly.”
Our answer cannot be other than,
“Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).