In this final chapter, we will discuss the final future arrangement that God has for our Kingdom-future i.e. the new heaven and new earth.
The Apostle Peter was inspired to write about the dissolving of this present heaven and earth with fire – 2 Pet. 3:10-13,
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with
fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
Therefore since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells”.
So there will be a new heaven and earth – Rev. 21:1, 3-5, “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea….
And I heard a loud voice from Heaven saying, behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people.
God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.
Then He who sat on the throne said behold, I make all things new. And He said to me write, for these words are true and faithful”
New bodies
Of course, we will have glorified bodies to be in this place; just as you need space suit to be able to cope with the atmosphere of space. Also, we will not remember or miss this life at all – See Is. 65:17.
One thing is for sure – it will be all joy unspeakable and full of glory, because God will be all in all – 1 Cor. 15:28.
Yes, God will come down to dwell with mankind on this new earth. He will be everything to us. His Throne will be with His believers on earth – Rev. 22:1-5,
“And He showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
In the middle of the street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
And there was no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: they need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.”
Yes, it will be all ruler-ship. Please understand that for all who see into the Kingdom-future now, it is as through an opaque glass, because we see hazily – 1 Cor. 13: 14.
In other words, it is difficult for mortals as we are now, to project into how this new earth would be like. This is because our current bodies and minds cannot grasp it, much more enjoy it.
Yes, we need new minds to appreciate what God has prepared for those who love Him – 1 Cor. 2:9,
“But as it is written, eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him”
Even the Holy Spirit searches deep into God’s mind to get what God has planned for us which He then speaks to our spirits, since our minds cannot grasp and enjoy them.
I guess it is because God will not do anything unless He reveals it – Amos 3:7; 1 Cor. 2:10; Is. 64:4.
The revelation of hell during the new heaven and earth
The Scriptures also teaches that the righteous would be permitted to occasionally look into the Lake of fire during the period of the new heaven and earth, after the millennium – Is. 66:22-24,
“For as the new Heaven and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before Me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain.
And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me, saith the Lord. And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against Me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.”
This occasional revelation into hell will no doubt make us appreciate what God has blessed us within the new heaven and earth, and deepen our worship of Him.
Yes, this revelation will be important since we will not remember our past lives to appreciate the difference between the old heaven and earth and that of the new, when God makes all things new.
Hallelujah! What a Kingdom-future we have!
