New heaven and New Earth – What is the exact location? Who are the people who will go there?
On a Celestial stage, the sacred pages of the Bible unfold the inspiring narrative of the new heaven and new earth, from the poetic visions of Isaiah to the apocalyptic revelation of John. We are guided on a journey of hope and promise. Let’s explore the depths of these prophetic visions where the divine promise of renewal transcends time, inspiring towards a celestial future of peace, justice, and perfection. This is an invitation to reflect on eternal hope and the certainty of a glorious destiny in the words of Isaiah and John.
Welcome to the journey of the new heaven and new earth. The promise of a new heaven and a new earth is one of the most impactful and comforting narratives in the Bible. It transcends the boundaries of time and space, nurturing hope and inspiring the faith of many throughout the centuries. The biblical vision of the new heaven and new earth is multifaceted, addressed by different sacred writers and interpreted by theologians throughout history. The starting point for this eschatological vision is found in the book of Isaiah, Chapter 65, Verse 17, which states:
“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.” In this passage, the Prophet Isaiah envisions a new creation where God will reign over all nations. The world will be a place of peace, justice, and prosperity, and all living beings will dwell in harmony. In this vision, Isaiah describes a world without death, without suffering, and without tears. The sun and the moon will no longer be necessary, for the glory of God will illuminate the earth. Wild animals will live in peace with domestic animals, and children will play without fear.
Isaiah’s vision is one of hope and promise, reminding us that God has a plan for the world—a plan of peace, justice, and prosperity. Another significant vision of the new heaven and new earth is described in the book of Revelation, Chapter 21, Verses 1-3:
“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. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘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.'”
The passage continues, promising the wiping away of every tear, the absence of death, mourning, crying, and pain, as the former things have passed away. The familiar earth, as we know it, will not endure forever. After the great Final Judgment, God will create a new earth. God also promised to Isaiah that He would create a new and eternal land, as mentioned in Isaiah 65 at the beginning of the video. In John’s time, the sea was considered dangerous and unstable, also associated with the origin of evil.
We don’t know how the new earth will look or where it will be located, but God and His followers—those whose names are written in the Book of Life—will be gathered to live for all eternity. Will you be there? The New Jerusalem is where God will dwell among His people. Instead of us ascending to meet Him, He will descend to be with us, just as when God became man in Jesus Christ and lived among us. Wherever God reigns, there is peace, security, and love. Have you ever imagined what the holy city, the New Jerusalem, would be like?
Described as the place where God will remove all sorrow for all eternity, there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain. Regardless of what you are going through now, this does not represent the final word. God has written the final chapter that speaks of complete joy for all those who love Him. We may not know everything we wish, but it will be enough to know that eternity with God will be more wonderful than we could ever imagine. God is the creator of everything and everyone.
The Bible begins with the majestic story of the creation of the universe and ends with the creation of a new heaven and a new earth. This signifies a glorious hope and great encouragement for every believer. When we are with God, with all our sins forgiven and our future assured, we will be like Christ. Just as God finished the work of creation and Jesus finished the work of redemption, so too will the Trinity finish the entire plan of salvation, inviting the redeemed to their new creation.
The passage continues with a declaration from God, stating that He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. Those who thirst for grace will be given the water of life freely. Those who overcome will inherit all things, and God will be their God, and they will be His children. However, the fearful, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars will have their portion in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.
Then, one of the seven angels with the seven bowls filled with the last seven plagues came to show the bride, the Lamb’s wife, the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. The city had the glory of God, and its light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. It had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. On the east, three gates; on the north, three gates; on the south, three gates; and on the west, three gates. The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. The one who talked with John had a golden reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. The city was laid out as a square, its length equal to its width. He measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The construction of its wall was of jasper, and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The foundations of the wall were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate consisting of one pearl. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. John saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it, and the Lamb is its light. The nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth shall bring their glory and honor into it. Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there).
In conclusion, the theme of new heaven and new earth in the Bible stories is a powerful and profound narrative that spans across different books, from Isaiah in the Old Testament to John in the New Testament. The vision presented in these passages offers a glimpse into a future where God renews and transforms the world, ushering in an era of peace, justice, and eternal prosperity.
The imagery of the New Jerusalem, described as a holy city adorned for her husband, symbolizes a divine dwelling place where God will be in the midst of His people. The elimination of sorrow, death, and pain signifies a complete transformation from the challenges and imperfections of the current world. The unity of Old Testament representations like Isaiah’s vision and New Testament revelations like John’s emphasizes the continuity of God’s plan throughout history.
The stories convey a message of hope, promise, and assurance for believers, emphasizing the ultimate victory of God’s redemptive plan. The detailed descriptions of the New Jerusalem, its foundations, gates, and streets made of pure gold and adorned with precious stones, portray a place of unparalleled beauty and purity.
The ultimate criteria for entering this new creation are faith, overcoming challenges, and having one’s name inscribed in the Lamb’s Book of Life. The stories encourage reflection on one’s spiritual journey, anticipation of a glorious future, and the certainty that God’s divine plan will culminate in the renewal and perfection of creation.
Overall, the theme of new heaven and new earth in the Bible stories inspires believers to hold onto faith, anticipate a future of divine glory, and find comfort in the promise of eternal life in the presence of God.
