Journey Through The Bible
 Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 13-15
 New Testament Reading: Revelation 21

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:1-4)

John saw a new heaven and a new earth. It is new in that God just created it, but more than that, it is new in that there has been nothing like this heaven and earth ever before. It differs completely from the first heaven and the first earth which had passed away.

A surprisingly small amount of information is given about the new heaven and new earth. What little we are told is that on the new earth there is no longer any sea. The Bible is silent, however, to describe any features of this new earth and nothing is known about its characteristics, vegetation, color, or form.

Regarding the new heaven, we are told there is no sun or moon and, by implication, no stars. This new heaven, therefore, refers to the earth’s atmosphere and planetary space, and not the dwelling place of God. This is further implied by the statement that God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them (v3).

John then saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God (v2). This new Jerusalem is the dwelling place of all the saints during the 1,000-year reign of Christ, and it now descends from heaven. Some believe that it remains floating in the air like a giant space station. While the Bible never states its final resting place, it seems most logical that it descends to the new earth. The new Jerusalem is the dwelling place of all believers, and the new earth is created for us to explore and enjoy.

Through the rest of the chapter, John does his best to explain to us what is indescribable. How do you describe something that never existed before? While it is easy to get caught up in trying to understand the meaning of his description of the new Jerusalem, the most important description comes from a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God (v3).

It does not matter what the different stones represent, or if the city hovers above or rest on the earth. What is important is that everyone who puts their faith and trust in Jesus Christ will be there and God will be there among them. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away (v4).

Jesus said, I am making everything new! It is done (v5-6).And He assures us His words are faithful and true.