No14

(A new heaven and a new earth)

On this side of the cross, there are two things that are sure to happen: Jesus will return a second time and the present earth and the present heaven will be dissolved. We won’t get into what will transpire between these two events because there are many opinions but one thing is certain : God the Father knows exactly what will happen. The Bible says in 2 Peter 3: 10 “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.” Everything – the earth, the universe will be consumed and wickedness will be no more. The Apostle John saw a glimpse of this on the Isle of Patmos when Jesus Christ gave him the book of Revelation. Jesus’ instructions were clear to John – “Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;” Rev 1:19. This concept of a new heaven and a new earth is an Old Testament reality as well as a New Testament one. In Psalm 102:25, 26 the Bible tells us “Of old Thou didst found the earth; And the heavens are the work of Thy hands. Even they will perish, but Thou dost endure; And all of them will wear out like a garment; Like clothing Thou wilt change them, and they will be change” The Bible says in Revelation 21:1,2 “ 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. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”

At this point in the chronology of the Revelation, all Old Testament saints and the ultimate redeemed bride will dwell in the New Jerusalem in everlasting righteousness. What a blessed hope we have as true Christians!!