A Hope And A Future.
After exploring the warnings of the Four Horsemen in Revelation, it’s incredibly important to remember that Revelation doesn’t end in darkness – it ends with hope!
God’s plan does not include endless suffering, but renewal, restoration, and eternal joy! And so, The Book of Revelation culminates with a very exciting and breathtaking promise for the future: a new heaven and a new earth.
What Is the New Heaven and New Earth?
- The phrase comes directly from Revelation 21:1: “Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.”
- This vision is of a new creation, free from sin, evil, suffering, and death.
- Scripture tells us that the new earth is not merely a spiritual realm, but a renewed world where God dwells with humanity physically and eternally (Revelation 21:3).
Main Scripture For The New Heaven and New Earth
Revelation 21:1-7 (NIV)
The book of Revelation was written by John, a follower of Jesus who was one of His twelve apostles. Most early Christians believed that John wrote this book while he was in exile on the island of Patmos.
In the Book of Revelation, John shares a powerful vision God gives him about the future – one that is terrifying but also full of hope, God’s love, and the promise that one day, everything broken will be made new.
As you read Revelation 21:1-7, you’ll see part of that vision: a glimpse of the amazing future God has prepared for His people.
1 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.
2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.
7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.”
Breaking Down The Scripture
- Verse 1 – God reveals a brand new creation: everything old has passed away, and it is replaced by a new heaven and a new earth. Even the sea, which often symbolized chaos and separation in ancient times, is no longer there.
- Verse 2 – The “new Jerusalem” is a beautiful, perfect city coming down from heaven. This city is like a bride on her wedding day, showing how close and loving our relationship with God will be. It’s a promise that God will live with us forever in a place full of joy, peace, and holiness.
- Verse 3 – The greatest promise: God will live among His people – there will be no more distance between us and God – we’ll get to be with Him personally, forever.
- Verse 4 – God promises to take away all pain, sadness, and even death itself. Everything that we have to deal with now will be gone.
- Verse 5 – God declares, “I am making everything new!” He wants us to know we can trust Him – His promises are real and dependable.
- Verse 6 – God says, “It’s finished!” He is the beginning and the end of everything. Anyone who wants real, lasting life just needs to come to Him because He gives it freely.
- Verse 7 – Everyone who stays faithful to Jesus gets all these promises, blessings, and so much more – they become part of God’s family forever!
Other Scriptures
The Bible contains a few more scriptures that specifically reference the new heaven and the new earth, and you can find references to it woven into both the Old and New Testaments.
Isaiah 65:17
This Old Testament prophecy found in Isaiah describes God’s plan to make everything new, free from past pain and sorrow.
“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.”
Isaiah 65:17
Isaiah 66:22
Again in Isaiah, God promises that His new creation and His people will last forever.
“As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,” declares the Lord, “so will your name and descendants endure.”
Isaiah 66:22
2 Peter 3:13
In this scripture, Peter points to the hope Christians have for a future where everything is set right and God’s goodness fills everything.
“But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.”
2 Peter 3:13
What Heaven Be Like?
God Will Live With His People
In Revelation 21, God Himself says not once, but three times, that He will be “with them”. He will no longer be distant or hidden, He will make His home right among us.
This fulfills God’s promise in Ezekiel 37:27:
“My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
Ezekiel 37:27
A New Holy City – The New Jerusalem
At the heart of God’s new creation is the Holy City, the New Jerusalem. This isn’t just a city, but a powerful symbol of God’s people and His presence with them. Revelation 21:2 describes the New Jerusalem as “prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” It’s a picture of God’s people in perfect relationship with Him – loved, cherished, and made radiant by His grace.
Everything Will Be Made New
God declares, “I am making everything new!” The new heaven and new earth will be completely transformed and it will be free from sin, evil, death, and suffering. 2 Peter 3:13 assures us that this will be a place “where righteousness dwells.” In this renewed creation, God’s people will finally experience everlasting joy, peace, and life as God originally intended.
A Real, Physical, Forever Home
The new heaven and new earth won’t just be a spiritual vision or a dream – scripture tells us it will be a real, physical place that is more wonderful and alive than anything we can experience now!
When Jesus rose from the dead, He had a real, resurrected body that could be touched and recognized (see Luke 24: 39–43). The Bible says that when God makes everything new, we will also have new, transformed bodies (see 1 Corinthians 15: 42–44; Philippians 3: 20–21). We’ll live, laugh, worship, and enjoy God’s creation, without pain, sickness, or death. Imagine living in a world where everything is good, beautiful, safe and lasting 🙂
Seven “No Mores”
Scripture specifically tells us that several things won’t exist anymore:
- No more sea (symbolizing separation or chaos) – Revelation 21:1
- No more death – Revelation 21:4
- No more mourning, crying, or pain – Revelation 21:4
- No more curse (everything broken and wrong with the world – pain, struggle, and decay – will be healed and restored) – Revelation 22:3
- No more night (symbolizing sin, evil, fear, uncertainty, or separation from God) – Revelation 21:25; 22:5
- No more impurity – Revelation 21:27
- No more temple (because God Himself is fully present) – Revelation 21:22
Common Questions
Isn’t Heaven enough? Why a New Earth?
Many people think of “heaven” as a spiritual realm, but the Bible promises an actual renewed physical life almost like heaven on earth, with God’s throne among humanity.
Will we remember our pain?
I’ve always wondered about this, but Isaiah tells us that, “the former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind” (Isaiah 65:17). God will bring healing and new beginnings to each of His children.
Why Does God Create a New Heaven and Earth?
God creates a new heaven and a new earth so that He can fulfill His original purpose for creation and reverse the effects of sin. From the very beginning of creation, God intended a world where humanity lived in harmony with Him and His creation. But when sin entered the world, it brought a curse with it that resulted in suffering, brokenness, and separation from God (see Genesis 3; Romans 8:18–23).
Bible Study, journaling and Reflection Questions
Final thoughts
No matter how dark life gets, even with all the suffering pictured in the Book of Revelation, God’s story will end with restoration and eternal peace! So as you face the world in all its brokenness, fix your eyes on Jesus and the new heaven and new earth that are waiting for us, where God will wipe away every tear and make all things new!
“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ … let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.”
Revelation 22:17
