End Times-
putting the pieces in place
by Sonny Bowman
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Chapter 12
New Heaven and Earth
Revelation 21:1 (NKJV) 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.
At the beginning of the Great
White Throne Judgment, the heaven (i.e., the universe
including the stars) and earth will cease to exist (Rev. 20:11).
According to Peter, this disappearance will take place with a
great noise and fire (2 Pet. 3:10). The present heavens and earth
will be worn out and no longer useful. As such, like a worn out
garment, they will be discarded (Heb. 1:10-12).
After the completion of the Great White Throne
Judgment, a new heaven and earth will be created (Rev. 21:1). The
new earth will be the location of the New Jerusalem which will
come down from God (Rev. 21:2). The New Jerusalem is also called
the Bride of Christ (Rev. 21:2, 9-10). It is there that
Jesus will forever dwell with His people (Rev. 21:3). All things
will be made new and there will be no more death, sorrow, crying,
or curse (Rev. 21: 5,3-4; 22:3). This is the eternal home for all
Christians. (See additional information about replacing the present heavens and
earth.)
Summary
Term Definition:
Heaven is the name that God
called the firmament (expanse, i.e., space) where
He placed the sun, moon, and stars (Gen. 1:6-8, 14-18).
The term heaven in Revelation
20:11 and 21:1 refers to the universe including our
atmosphere and the expanse that contains the stars.
According to Strong’s Concordance, the Greek word
used in these passages is number 3772, o u r a n o V (ouranos,
cf. Uranus). This word means sky and by extension
means heaven (as the abode of God). In the KJV
translation, this Greek word is translated as heaven
268 times, as air 10 times and as sky 5
times. For example, this Greek word is translated as air
in "... the birds of the air..." in Matthew
8:20 and Luke 9:58. This heaven will be shaken and the
stars will fall from it (Mat. 24:29-30).
Earth in Revelation 20:11 and
21:1 refers to the planet inhabited by mankind.
Significance of the New Heaven and
Earth:
The old heaven and earth will become
old like a garment that is worn out and ready to be
replaced (Ps 102:25-26; Isa 51:6; Heb 1:10-12). The new
heaven and earth will no longer suffer the curse of sin
(Rev. 21:27; 22:3).
Source of the New Heaven and Earth:
The new heaven and earth come from God.
Length of the New Heaven and Earth:
The new heaven and earth will last for
eternity (Rev. 22:5).
Events Prior to the New Heaven and
Earth:
The Great White
Throne Judgment immediately precedes the creation of
the new heaven and earth (Rev. 20:11-15; 21:1).
Events of the New Heaven and Earth:
A new heaven (universe) and earth are
created to replace the old ones (Rev. 21:1). The New
Jerusalem will come down from God to the new earth (Rev.
21:2). God will dwell with His people (Rev. 21:3). There
will be no more death, sorrow or crying (Rev. 21:4).
There will be no night in the new city since God will be
its light (Rev. 21:23-25; 22:5).
God During the New Heaven and Earth:
God will live among His people in the
New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:3-4; 22:3-5). He will wipe away
all tears and ensure that there is no more death, sorrow
or crying. God will make all things new (Rev. 21:5).
Christians During the New Heaven and
Earth:
Christians will live forever with God
in the new creation (Rev. 21:3, 4, 7, 27; Rev. 22:5).
They will serve Him and see His face (Rev. 22:3-4).
Satan During the New Heaven and Earth:
Satan will suffer for eternity in the
lake of fire (Rev. 20:10).
Beast During the New Heaven and Earth:
The Beast and the
False Prophet will suffer for eternity in the lake of
fire (Rev. 20:10).
Non-Christians During the New Heaven and
Earth:
People who do not belong to God will be
in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:15). This is the second
death (Rev. 21:8).
Events Following the New Heaven and
Earth:
After the new heaven and earth are
created, the New Jerusalem will descend from God to the
new earth (Rev. 21:2,10). God will live among His people
in the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:3-4; 22:3-5).
Scripture references for the New Heaven
and Earth:
Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33; Heb. 1:10-12; 2
Pet. 3:7,10-13; Rev. 20:11; Rev. 21:1-27; Rev. 22:1-5;
Gen. 1:6-8, 14-18; Ps. 102:25-26; Isa. 51:6; Isa.
65:17-25; Isa. 24:19-20
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End Times - putting the pieces
in place
Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture quotations are from
the Holy Bible, New King James Version, copyright © 1982 by
Thomas Nelson, Inc.
NKJV indicates quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New
King James Version, copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
KJV indicates quotations taken from the King James Version
of the Bible.
Numbers associated with Greek (italic) or Hebrew (upright)
words refer to the corresponding words in the Strong's Exhaustive
Concordance of the Bible, by James Strong, S.T.D., LL.D.
Please make copies of this book to give to your friends. (A
searchable and printable version in Adobe Acrobat format is
available for download.) Your comments
and suggestion are also welcome. Thank you for helping others to
understand the Bible teachings on the End Times.
God bless you.
Sonny Bowman
If you have questions or comments, please contact
Sonny Bowman.
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