Having now reviewed the prophecies of God and Jesus as found in Isaiah and Revelation, let’s summarize what is “The Promise Of New Heavens And A New Earth”... As perceived by men in relation to heaven itself some believe it has nothing to do with heaven, but only the church today. Many believe it to be a metaphor of heaven itself, in which we will spend eternity. Yet the eternal dwelling place of the redeemed, the New Jerusalem, is depicted as being separate from the present dwelling place of God (i.e., heaven). “...the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God.” - Re 3:12. “... the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God” - Re 21:2. “... the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God” - Re 21:10. As depicted, the eternal destiny of the redeemed is not our spending eternity with God in heaven (His current dwelling place), but God spending eternity with us in the New Jerusalem which comes down out of heaven (His current dwelling place) – see also Re 21:2-3,22-23; 22:3-5. This eternal heavenly city, which comes down out of heaven, is depicted in the context of the new heavens and a new earth - Re 21:1 “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.”. Not in heaven itself, where God now dwells. But in a whole new order or spiritual state, where God will dwell with us!
As perceived by men in relation to the present heaven and earth. Some believe the “new” heavens and earth are the old purified and renovated, including amillenialists like Barnes, B.W. Johnson, Hoekema, and Kistemaker. Some arguments in favor are:
1) The Greek word kainos (new, 2 Pe 3:13; Re 21:1) does not mean new in time or origin, but new in nature or quality.
2) Renewal over annihilation seems to be supported by Paul in Ro 8:19-22.
3) A supposed analogy between the new earth and the resurrected bodies of believers.
4) If annihilation instead of renewal, then Satan would have won a great victory.
Others believe the “new” heavens and earth are a new creation altogether, such as Hailey. Some arguments in favor are:
1) The Hebrew word bara (create, Isa 65:17) is the same word used to describe the initial creation of the heavens and earth - cf. Gen 1:1; Isa 40:26.
2) Jesus said, “heaven and earth will pass away” - Mt 24:35.
3) The Hebrew writer refers to “the removal of those things that are being shaken” (for example, heaven and earth) - He 12:26-27.
4) Peter tells us concerning the present heavens and earth:
a) The heavens will pass away, be dissolved, being on fire - 2 Pe 3:10, 12.
b) The elements will melt with fervent heat - 2 Pe 3:10, 12.
c) The earth and the works in it will be burned up - 2 Pe 3:10.
5) John describes the present heavens and earth:
a) As “fled away” - Re 20:11.
b) Had “passed away” - Re 21:1.
Some are uncertain, such as Coffman (and myself):
“We confess our inability to find any certainty on this question.”
“It is not really necessary for us to know exactly what may be meant by this promise.”
One may be uncertain whether the old heavens and old earth will be renovated by fire, in preparation as an eternal dwelling place or annihilated by fire, to be replaced by a totally new eternal dwelling place. Yet one can be certain that in some way there will be new heavens and a new earth for God has promised it - 2 Pe 3:13 “But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” And God cannot lie! - Ti 1:2 “in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began”; He 6:17-18 “So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.” How then should we live in view of this promise? Hear the words of Peter...
“Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by
Him in peace, without spot and blameless;” - 2 Pe 3:14
Are we looking forward to those things described by Peter and John? Even more important, are we being diligent to be found prepared for when Jesus comes again...?
