A New Heaven And A New Earth

2008-11-01 21:22

The Bible refers to this world as the first heaven and the first earth, and that world to come as a new heaven and a new earth. There is nothing new in the first heaven and the first earth. As soon as anything in this world is called a new thing, it becomes an old thing. In this world, there is nothing new that endures forever.

Therefore, the Teacher said, "All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again. All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing. What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say, 'Look! This is something new'? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time." (Ecclesiastes 1:7-10).

Therefore, for those who will remain in that world to come, the Bible says, "For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." (Hebrews 13:14-16).

Men of this world who are born in the first heaven and the first earth can never enter a new heaven and a new earth. Therefore, the Bible says, "I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable." (1 Corinthians 15:50).

There is no one righteous in this world. The elements that are conceived and born in sin cannot be righteous. Therefore, the Bible says, "as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness." (2 Peter 3:12-13).

And also, the Bible says about men of this world, "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

Therefore, it is written, "In reply Jesus declared, 'I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.'" (John 3:3).

A new life lives in a new heaven and a new earth. An old life is perishable, but a new life is imperishable. An old life is dishonorable, but a new life is glorious. If anyone does not put off the old life with Jesus through faith in Jesus crucified, he cannot enter a new heaven and a new earth.

It is written, "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." (Colosssians 3:1-4).

For those who have a new life, the Bible says, "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." (Romans 6:4).

The new life is "Christ who is our life." Therefore, the Bible says, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20).

"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." (Revelation 21:1). Amen. Thank you, Lord.