What does the Bible say about the new heavens and the new earth?
What are the new heavens and the new earth the Bible mentions? The section of Scripture that addresses this topic includes the final two chapters of the Bible, Revelation 21-22. We are provided a detailed look at the vision given to the apostle John regarding what will take place at the end of time or what is often called the eternal state.
Revelation 21:1 begins, "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more." The first heaven (the skies) and the first earth will be destroyed and the sea will disappear. Believers will live in an entirely new existence that includes a new heavenly city called the new Jerusalem (Revelation 21:2).
The existence of believers in this place is described in Revelation 21:3-4: "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." This eternal dwelling will include God with His people in a perfect, eternal environment.
The dimensions or size of the new Jerusalem are given in Revelation 21:15-21. In modern terms, this city will be 1,400 miles by 1,400 miles (12,000 stadia), a size of two million square miles! It will also be 1,400 miles high, indicating the city will be a cube shape (or possibly a pyramid shape) more than 600,000 stories high. It will include 12 gates with the names of the 12 tribes of Israel and 12 foundations that include the names of the apostles. The city will consist of a wide array of jewels and colors and will be made of gold. Keep in mind that this description is John's attempt to explain the city's splendor; it cannot include all of the details of its greatness.
Revelation 21:22-23 shares, "And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb." This new city will include no temple, no sun, and no moon. The Lamb (Jesus) will be its light. Its existence will be perfectly safe and without sin.
Revelation 22:5 concludes the description of the new heavens and new earth by saying, "They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever." Ultimately, the greatest joy will be to dwell together with all believers in the Lord's presence forever. The earth that began with humans in a garden will end with God's people in a city where we will enjoy perfect fellowship with Him.
Copyright 2011-2024 Got Questions Ministries - All Rights Reserved.
