The New Creation

“We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness” – 1 Peter 3:13; Rev Chapters 21 and 22.

Introduction

Hebrews 11, speaks to us about the great faith people, one of which was Abraham. He obeyed God implicitly when asked to move out into something new. The underlying motivation for Abraham’s unwavering trust in God, was an understanding of the topic we will be discussing in this lesson. Abraham had a revelation of “the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God”, v10. Everything we place our trust and confidence in, has foundations that one day will be destroyed. But the true Christian is a citizen of the Heavenly City. A city that will never be destroyed.

I. ALL THINGS WILL BE MADE NEW.

1. God will destroy the earth, as we know it and also the heavens (our universe).

Note that there are three heavens, 2 Cor 12:2:

1. Our atmosphere
2. Our universe
3. The spiritual realm where God operates

2 Peter 3:7, “But the heavens and the earth which now exist are kept in store by the same word, reserved for fire until the day of judgement and perdition of ungodly men.”

2 Peter 3:12b, ” … the heavens will be dissolved being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat.”

2. He will create a new heaven (universe) and a new earth.
2 Peter 3:13, “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”

Rev 21:1, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth and the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.”

II WHO WILL LIVE IN THE NEW HEAVEN?

1. The Godhead.

Rev. 21:22-23, “But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.”

2. An innumerable company of angels.

Hebrews 12:22, “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels.”

3. Those whose names are written in the Book of Life. They make up the General Assembly and church of the firstborn.

Heb 12:22-23, “But you have come to Mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven.”

Rev 21:27, “But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles … but only those who are written in The Lamb’s Book of Life.”

III. WHAT WON’T BE IN THE NEW HEAVEN.

1. Marriage. Matt 22:30″For in the resurrection they shall neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.”

2. The painful things of this earth.
a. Grief
b. Death
c. Sorrow
d. Crying
e. Pain

Rev 21:4, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow; nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

3. Sun, Moon, Night or Darkness.

Rev 21:23, “And the city had no need of the sun, or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it and the Lamb is it’s light.”

Rev 21:25b, “there shall be no night there.”

4. Negative influence.

Rev 21:27, “But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles or causes an abomination or a lie.”

5. Curses.

Rev 22:3a, “And there shall be no more curse.”

6. Wicked People

Rev 22:15, “But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters and whoever loves and practises a lie.”

IV. WHAT WILL BE PRESENT IN THE NEW HEAVEN.

1. Life.
a.The River of Life.

Rev 22:1a, “And he showed me a pure river of water of life.”

b. The Tree of Life.
Rev 22:2a, “…on either side of the river was the tree of life.”

2. Worship.
Rev 5:13-14, “And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the seas and all that are in them. I heard them saying, ‘Blessing and honour and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb for every and ever.”

3. Recognition.
Rev 7:9, “After these things I looked and behold, a great multitude which no one could number of all nations, tribes, peoples and tongues.”
16:23, “And being in torment in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off.”

4. Eating and drinking.
Rev 19:9, “Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”

Luke 16:24, “… send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue.”

5. Mansions. (a residence, abode)
John 14:2, “In My Father’s house are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”

6. Excitement.

a) A new earth is to be explored, Rev 21:1
b) A new universe to discover, Rev 21:1.
c) Lots of people to meet, Rev 7:9.
d) Angel to judge, 1 Cor 6:3, “Do you not know that we shall judge angels?”
e) We will have rewards and treasures to enjoy, Matt 6:20, “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”

Conclusion.

What a difference there is between the eternal abode of the righteous and the eternal abode of the wicked. A good understanding of both is needed to give the Christian extra motivation to evangelise the world and our friends.

For those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, our treasure is not in this world; our treasure is where moth, rust or thieves have no access. Everything in this world will be destroyed. Everything we lay up in heaven will be enjoyed eternally. Let’s get our perspective right and do God’s important work while we still have time.