This Study will be taken from 2 Corinthian 12 and Revelation 21.
Our current age is but one of three "heavens and earths" spoken of in the Scriptures. Many views have been put forward regarding their nature. Here in Revelation 21 we see John describes a new vision which he sees, and records the words of the angel who explains details in relation to it.
Rev 21:1 And I (John) saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first (former) heaven and the first (former) earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
The previous "heaven and earth" having perished away, they are replaced by a new heaven and a new earth, and are spoken of being the final abode of the Redeemed (Saints). In this chapter is new Jerusalem described as descending out of heaven, adorned as a bride for her groom. John is invited to a closer inspection of the vision, and describes the wall, foundations, gates, and glory of the holy city.
"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth"—This term connects with this vision of the previous chapter. John there declared that "the earth and the Heaven fled away" (Rev 20:11) to prepare for the new Heaven and Earth which will see the final destruction of sin and death, and as described New Jerusalem in its final glory.
Its essential that we see this new "heaven and earth" as political and symbolic, not literal.
This is not speaking of complete destruction of the current Heaven and Earth rather it relates to a new state of divine society on earth overruled by a righteous King from Jerusalem (Deut 32:1 Isa. 65:17 Dan 12:3), for the literal heaven and earth will remain forever (Ecc. 1:4 Ps. 125:1 148:6 Isa. 45:18).
"For the first heaven and the first earth were passed away"—How do they pass away as (Rev 20:11). This should make it very clear these are symbolic figures.
The Greek better renders "first" as "former" meaning the new Heaven and Earth must be at the conclusion of the 1000 year reign of Christ on the earth, for verse Rev 21:4 suggests sin and death are swallowed up. Verse 4 relates to the conditions on the Earth during the 1000 years and are referred to in verse one as the former Heaven and former earth now ready to pass away. This "new heaven and new earth" is the "third heaven" referred to by Paul in relation to his vision of future glory (2 Cor 12:2).
1. The first heaven was Jewish Kingdom of God on Earth established under the law of Moses (covenant Deut 32:1 Isa 1:2) presided over by various Kings David being the Righteous King who seed would inherite his throne Luke 1:27 Luke 1:32. That symbolic Heaven and Earth came to an end in the destruction of the Jewish State in A.D. 70 (2 Pet 3:7). The law and the sacrifice removed and the people scattered for 2000 years, regathered and in 1948 Israel became a state.
2. The second "heaven and earth" will be established at Christ's coming with the setting up of the Kingdom of God, the restoration of the Kingdom to Israel (Acts 1:6 2 Pet 3:13).
3. The third "heaven and earth" will be at the close of Christ's reign on earth, when a perfected kingdom will be delivered unto the Father by Christ that He (God) might be all and in all (1 Cor. 15:24).
"And there was no more sea" In other words there will be no more sin and death stricken Nations left in the Earth (Rev. 17:15), God through Christ will make a "a full end" of all nations but Israel (Jer 30:11). Many shall know that "Sea" in the Bible is highly symbolic of nations in their various conditions:
1. Nations can be in a troubled, stormy state, casting up mire and dirt (Isa. 57:20)
2. Nations can be at peace especially after the Battle of Armageddon (Rev 15:2)
3. The Nations can be calm and pure, with all their sins removed and represented as a "clear as crystal" (Rev 4:6)
4. And finally here in Rev 21. The nations are completely removed, only immortal Israel will remain, those as the Scriptures describe in Eph 2:12 who through Baptism become part of the Commonwealth of Israel (spiritual Israel) and so able to take part in the promises to Abraham Gal 3:28-29 and where sin and death is no more and those great passages of scripture are fulfilled once and for all Numbers 14:21 & Hab 2:14
Alethos
Our current age is but one of three "heavens and earths" spoken of in the Scriptures. Many views have been put forward regarding their nature. Here in Revelation 21 we see John describes a new vision which he sees, and records the words of the angel who explains details in relation to it.
Rev 21:1 And I (John) saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first (former) heaven and the first (former) earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
The previous "heaven and earth" having perished away, they are replaced by a new heaven and a new earth, and are spoken of being the final abode of the Redeemed (Saints). In this chapter is new Jerusalem described as descending out of heaven, adorned as a bride for her groom. John is invited to a closer inspection of the vision, and describes the wall, foundations, gates, and glory of the holy city.
"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth"—This term connects with this vision of the previous chapter. John there declared that "the earth and the Heaven fled away" (Rev 20:11) to prepare for the new Heaven and Earth which will see the final destruction of sin and death, and as described New Jerusalem in its final glory.
Its essential that we see this new "heaven and earth" as political and symbolic, not literal.
This is not speaking of complete destruction of the current Heaven and Earth rather it relates to a new state of divine society on earth overruled by a righteous King from Jerusalem (Deut 32:1 Isa. 65:17 Dan 12:3), for the literal heaven and earth will remain forever (Ecc. 1:4 Ps. 125:1 148:6 Isa. 45:18).
"For the first heaven and the first earth were passed away"—How do they pass away as (Rev 20:11). This should make it very clear these are symbolic figures.
The Greek better renders "first" as "former" meaning the new Heaven and Earth must be at the conclusion of the 1000 year reign of Christ on the earth, for verse Rev 21:4 suggests sin and death are swallowed up. Verse 4 relates to the conditions on the Earth during the 1000 years and are referred to in verse one as the former Heaven and former earth now ready to pass away. This "new heaven and new earth" is the "third heaven" referred to by Paul in relation to his vision of future glory (2 Cor 12:2).
1. The first heaven was Jewish Kingdom of God on Earth established under the law of Moses (covenant Deut 32:1 Isa 1:2) presided over by various Kings David being the Righteous King who seed would inherite his throne Luke 1:27 Luke 1:32. That symbolic Heaven and Earth came to an end in the destruction of the Jewish State in A.D. 70 (2 Pet 3:7). The law and the sacrifice removed and the people scattered for 2000 years, regathered and in 1948 Israel became a state.
2. The second "heaven and earth" will be established at Christ's coming with the setting up of the Kingdom of God, the restoration of the Kingdom to Israel (Acts 1:6 2 Pet 3:13).
3. The third "heaven and earth" will be at the close of Christ's reign on earth, when a perfected kingdom will be delivered unto the Father by Christ that He (God) might be all and in all (1 Cor. 15:24).
"And there was no more sea" In other words there will be no more sin and death stricken Nations left in the Earth (Rev. 17:15), God through Christ will make a "a full end" of all nations but Israel (Jer 30:11). Many shall know that "Sea" in the Bible is highly symbolic of nations in their various conditions:
1. Nations can be in a troubled, stormy state, casting up mire and dirt (Isa. 57:20)
2. Nations can be at peace especially after the Battle of Armageddon (Rev 15:2)
3. The Nations can be calm and pure, with all their sins removed and represented as a "clear as crystal" (Rev 4:6)
4. And finally here in Rev 21. The nations are completely removed, only immortal Israel will remain, those as the Scriptures describe in Eph 2:12 who through Baptism become part of the Commonwealth of Israel (spiritual Israel) and so able to take part in the promises to Abraham Gal 3:28-29 and where sin and death is no more and those great passages of scripture are fulfilled once and for all Numbers 14:21 & Hab 2:14
Alethos