But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. [1 Cor 2:9 KJV]
The New Heaven and the New Earth: The final battle is to occur at the end of the Millennium. Satan is released from his prison. Whether this is a last moment of grace for Satan or some other reason we don’t know. However if it is a last chance for this fallen archangel, he finally eliminates his opportunities completely by setting about gathering a large army to try and defeat the Lord who is reigning over the world from Jerusalem. You would think that after a 1000-years of peace and happiness, mankind would have learnt. It appears they have not. We are told they will be like the sand on the sea shore for number, and they follow Satan blindly, and as they gather to surround Jerusalem, they are annihilated. They are, along with Satan, thrown into the “Lake of Fire” [Rev 20:7-10]
The Bible says: And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. [Rev 20:11 KJV]. Whether God uses an explosion of the Sun or “Super Nova” to achieve this, or some other way we do not know of yet. However we are told everything will be burnt up. Sobering words indeed. Then the words of the Lord through Peter describe what happens next. He reminds us that when the world was bad, God sent a flood, and only rescued Noah and his family, so that with the final experience of mankind led by Satan. He will finally destroy the world as we know it by fire. [2 Peter 3:3-13].
We are not told much about the New Heavens and the New Earth, probably if God told us what He has planned we would not understand it. Probably the reason is summed up by 1 Corinthians Ch 2. [See above]. Even we who are in the technological era would just wonder. When we get there we will probably just stand with our mouths open trying to grasp the wonders of it all for the first few thousand years, and marvel at the wonder and beauty of what God is showing us. That so great a God would love us enough, to send His Son to die for us on Calvary’s cross, because of our sin and rebellion. So that by coming to Him and seeking His forgiveness we can be cleansed of our sin and be prepared for our eternity with our Lord.
So what does the Bible say about the New Heavens and the New Earth? This is mostly contained within the Chapters 21 and 22 of Revelation, with a short passage in Isaiah chapter 65 verses 17 to 25. Isaiah 65 is more about the inheritance of Gods earthly people. It is not clear how much of this passage refers to the New Earth and how much is the Millennium. However both times are included in this passage. Isaiah’s prophecy includes a description of the Millennium that will precede these new things. While there will be no death or sin forever in the New Heavens and New Earth there will be some degree of sin and punishment for sin during the Millennium. John, in Revelation, gives a clearer picture of the New Heaven and Earth. Whether the Lord just cleanses the surface of the earth or creates a completely new one we will not know until we get there.
Some people contend that there will be no nations as such in the New World but the Bible says otherwise. Basically the world will be like the Garden of Eden and the world will develop as it would have done, had not sin entered into the world. Mankind will be at peace with nature and animals will live happily together. All meat eating animals will eat straw like the Ox and Lambs, Lions and small children will all play happily and safely together. Men and Women will not die and will live in harmony with God and man. It looks as though Christians will be like the Angels and live in the New Heaven whereas the Jews and Gentiles will be on the New Earth. The world will have a new start as it did in Eden. The Jews will have their promised nation, the Christians will have their Heaven, and joy righteousness and peace will reign forever. Will you be there? The Lord gives one final plea to humanity.” I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. For I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He which testifies these things says: Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. [Rev 22:16-21.KJV]. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation–as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. [2Pet3:14-18 NKJV]
Brian D. Papworth
Area Representative for P.W.M.I in the South Pacific, New Zealand & Australia.