Heaven is a New Earth

What joy we can discover about the actual place of Heaven we are headed to. We can know about the city of our God, our New Jerusalem! God reveals incredible insights to us in Revelation 21:1—22:5.The description of Heaven that we find in this text may seem beyond our imaginations! Yet as we look further into these verses, we’ll find that its magnificence is truly real.

Many people think these descriptions of our eternal city are pleasant allegories. What a tragic loss that is to our hope of what is to come! The same God who created man from the dust of the earth has no problem making good on His word of the riches He has used in building the New Jerusalem.“…Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard” of the full creation that awaits us (1 Cor. 2:9). The paltry riches of this earth could only be considered the most minute reflection of the place for God’s own throne!

God has already given us great insight as to where this city will be and what it will be like.The New Jerusalem is presently being built by God in Heaven. It is His city, and it comprises the fullness of Heaven now.Yet the Scriptures tell us that after the 1,000-year millennial reign of Jesus, God is going to make a new heaven and a new earth. Then the entire New Jerusalem shall descend to take its place forever on this remade earth:

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. – Revelation 21:1

The word new in this text does not mean something that is brand-new. It is not something that never existed and is now being made. Rather this Greek word is kainos, which means “qualitatively new;” to “renew;” a “renewing.”

This old earth will be far different when God is through with it. We haven’t seen anything yet.God will fully renew the earth of which He originally created and said, “It is good!” It will be as He first intended. Although we may not know exactly how such a renewal will happen, one thing is sure: It will happen! There will be a “new” earth.

And what a wonder the New Jerusalem will be! Yet crowing the splendor will be God’s own glory.From Mount Zion, 1500 miles high, God’s glory will surely shine so brightly that it will light up all of New Jerusalem. The Scriptures say that His glory will perilampo or “shine round about” for 1500 miles in every direction. Though the sun and moon are still in existence, this city will have no need of their light (See Rev. 21:23).

Can you imagine His brilliance shining off of shimmering pure crystal rivers, rebounding off streets of gold, walls of jasper, gates of pearl, and foundation walls garnished with the colors of the rainbow?

Surely it is beyond our understanding. But it is not a dream. It is not a fairy tale or a fantasy; rather, it is our real, eternal home! It is our Father’s house!

No mountain range of the Grand Tetons can compare. No sunset or postcard of the most beautiful paradise can rival it. Nothing can compare with the scenes from the mountains of Heaven that will landscape the New Jerusalem. The pristine grandeur of this place will be made new every day by the presence of God Himself.The resplendent views will quench every thirst we can ever have for freshness and beauty. No doubt, we will stand in stunned silence as we first behold the magnitude of God’s handiwork in our heavenly home. Then we shall behold the face of the Architect Himself!Together, we’ll praise our Father for His loving kindness, and look to the mountain of the Lamb with thanksgiving.