" But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness. And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight."-2 Peter 3:10-14
As we conclude our study on the last days and the return of Jesus Christ, let's review where our studies have taken us. The birth pains/signs of the times, the rapture of the church, the Tribulation, The Battle of Armageddon/2nd Coming of Jesus, and the 1,000 year reign of Christ. Today we want to look at the New Heavens/New Earth through the eyes of two different prophets. One found in the Old Testament and one found in the New Testament.
In the Book of Isaiah 65:17 the prophet writes:
“Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth, and no one will even think about the old ones anymore."
According to the remainder of that chapter, the new heavens and new earth will be a source of joy and happiness (65:18-19); there will be no premature death and people will enjoy long lives (65:20); a place where God's people will live in prosperity free from misfortune (65:21-23); a place where God will hear and answer their prayers (65:24), a place where nature and the animal kingdom will operate free from the curse brought on by sin (65:25).
In the New Testament the Apostle John wrote in Revelation 21:1-4:
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
John’s vision of a new heaven and new earth begins with a declaration that the old is gone! The new is come! God is making His home with mankind. His presence means no more sorrow, death, or pain. All these things will be gone forever! It will be a perpetual place of righteousness. There will be no place, according to vs. 8, for sin or those who embrace sinful lifestyles:
“But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
There will be a new Jerusalem that will come down out of heaven (vs. 10) and will possess some very unique qualities and dimensions. According to Revelation 21 it will shine with God’s glory (vs. 10) and have 12 gates with the names of the 12 tribes of Israel written on each gate (vs. 12). The wall will be made of jasper and the city pure gold (vs. 18); the wall of the city will have 12 foundations with the name of the twelve apostles written on them (vs. 14) and each wall will be 216 feet thick and 1,400 miles in length and width on each side (vs. 15-17). There will be no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple (vs. 22). The glory of God will illuminate the city (vs. 23) and nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameless idolatry and dishonesty; but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life (vs. 27).
After describing all these things, Jesus declares in Revelation 22:7: “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.” In fact, three times in Revelation 22 Jesus declares He is coming soon; to which John replies: “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!”
Do you have that kind of assurance of faith? Or would your response to this revelation be more like “Oh no! Wait! I’m not ready yet, Jesus!” You don’t have to live in fearful expectation of His coming, rather you can live in joyful expectation if you receive Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Pastor Scott Burr
Dayspring Community Church
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