Revelation Chapter 21
We are past the judgement of God, it is finished. In the writings of God’s Word and in Revelations we know that there is an ending. And better still we know there is a new beginning. Sin and death have left its mark on this old earth and God will destroy it and create a brand new heavens (the atmosphere and place where the sun and moon once were) and a new earth.
You may have wondered where the believers are who had already passed away before the tribulation or those who had been raptured to heaven? Scripture tells us that the believers will reign with Jesus during His Millennial Reign. Will believers be present when the Great White Throne Judgement occurs? Scripture does not tell us. I do not think we could handle the enormity of seeing the judgement of God carried out. I also don’t think we will be there because the very next event is that God destroys this old earth. I think we will be safe and sound in the glory of heaven (where God dwells). And the memory of this life will be gone.
Isaiah 65:17For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.
Let's Reflect
1. Does scripture tell us how God will destroy this old earth?
2. In verse 1 it tells us that the sea was no more. Does this mean that there will not be bodies of water on the new earth? I don’t think this is the meaning here because as we saw in the previous chapter the word in the Greek for sea referred to all the people who rose up to fight against Jerusalem. It may refer to the “sea of humanity” of evil. All of the evil has been wiped away. It will be replaced with a perfect, sinless earth and it will have a new Jerusalem. John heard the voice of God again, a loud voice. And what did the voice of God tell him about the new Jerusalem?
3. The thing that we are looking forward to is the promise written in the precious words of verse 4. What will there be no more?
4. John is once again reminded to “get writing.” Can you imagine being in John’s shoes and you are getting to see the new heavens and the new earth? His jaw must have been on the floor. And the Father reminds John to record this because this is true! There really is a heaven and a new earth to look forward to! God the Father told John we can be sure of it. How did He word His promise in verse 5?
5. God is the Alpha and the Omega. He is all things for us, and we won’t have need of anything else. He will be our God and we, His sons. Again, He reminds us of the destiny of those who have rejected Him. He wants John to record this warning too. Hell is a real place, and He does not want anyone to go there. But sadly, many will reject the truth. What title is given to the judgement of those sent to the lake of fire?
6. John’s writing is interrupted by one of the angels that carried one of the bowls. What does the angel want to show John?
7. The beauty of the new Jerusalem is something that I think John had a difficult time putting into words. Take note of the twelve gates of the city. What names are written on the twelve gates?
8. The angel then wanted John (and us) to get an idea of the enormity of the city. No longer will Jerusalem be just a tiny little city in the Middle East but it will be the size of a continent. And it’s not just the width and the length but also the height of it that will be enormous. The wall of the city was of jasper, but the city itself was made of what?
9. Have you heard about the pearly gates of heaven? It’s true! But notice that the gate is not one set of gates but there are 12 gates. And they aren’t covered with a bunch of little pearls. They are covered with what?
10. How pure is the gold that the new Jerusalem is made from?
11. There will not be a temple in this new Jerusalem. Why?
12. There will not be sun or moon. Why?
