A New Heaven and a New Earth

Westhill Community Church

23 June 2024

A New Heaven and a New Earth

Reading: Rev 21: 1-8

An Intriguing Glimpse of Future Glory

The passage we have read together this morning from the book of Revelation is one of the most inspiring in all of Scripture, capable of stirring up intense joy within us as we catch a glimpse of what God is preparing for those who love Him. But it is also one of the most difficult passages to fully understand. It reveals wonderful truths, but in doing so it provokes more and more questions in our minds.

And one of these questions is, “How much of what John writes is picture-language, and how much is actual reality?” The Holy City descending from heaven, described later in the chapter as being as high as it is long and wide, and occupying a mind-boggling 2¾ billion cubic miles – that’s 2.75 thousand million cubic miles; is John’s description of this city picture-language and allegory, or will it literally be as described? The angel that diligently displayed the city to John referred to it as “the bride, the wife of the Lamb”; but that is how elsewhere scripture describes the Church universal, all those who have put their faith in Jesus. So is this city a symbol of all the redeemed people of God, or is it actually the home in which they are going to dwell, or perhaps both at the same time? And of course the whole passage commences with the announcement that physical reality as we know it – the earth and the heavens above – is coming to an end, and a new heaven and earth will be formed, and we really have little idea what that new reality will be like.

But such unanswered questions shouldn’t trouble us. Elsewhere the apostle Paul tells us that now we see through a glass darkly (1 Cor 13: 12); and again, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor 2: 9). We can trust that God has revealed to us just enough to provide what we need to strengthen, encourage and guide us in our present situation. We can be content to leave all that is unknown to Him. Two things are important. The first is to beware of forming dogmatic and divisive opinions about some of those things that are not yet fully revealed, insisting that our inexact understanding must be the correct one. The second is to seek humbly what God wants to teach us through those things he has revealed, and to respond obediently with faith and love.

Everything Made New

So here in this passage is some wonderful good news. There is a day coming when God will make everything new. Nothing in this physical reality will be the same again. And as we gaze upon the world around us this truth should bring tremendous relief and fill our hearts with peace and joy. We look upon the trials and tribulations in the world around us. Within our own experience here in the Northeast of Scotland there are troubles enough. But in these days the news media now overwhelm us with troubles and trials from all parts of the globe, so much so that we are often at a loss to know how to respond to it all. Whether it be warfare and fighting, violence and persecution, injustice, sickness, death, economic hardship, famine, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, storms, plagues, pollution or global warming – so much that causes disappointment, distress, heartache, sorrow and misery. And in this passage God tells us that He is bringing the old order of things to an end and will make all things new. And then, as if to remove any doubt, He underlines the message: “These words are trustworthy and true!” He says. He will wipe every tear from our eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.

The apostles wrote frequently of this joyful message, and encouraged their readers to respond accordingly. This is not just a truth to give you re-assurance, they said, to sustain you when times are difficult. It is that, of course, but also this understanding of God’s purposes ultimately being brought to complete fulfilment should inspire us to re-double our efforts to live for Him and serve Him.

Peter wrote, “In keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.” (2 Peter 3: 13-14)

When writing to the Corinthians Paul wrote, “When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’ … Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Cor 15: 54,58)

Forever With the Lord

But the revelation that God is making all things new, and that sin and death will finally be dealt with for ever is not the most important and most wonderful revelation in this passage. The voice from the throne uttered these words. “Look! God’s dwelling-place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” (Rev 21: 3) At present God’s dwelling place is in Heaven, and that has been the case for all of the history of mankind. Deut 26: 15 says, “Look down from heaven, your holy dwelling-place, and bless your people.” The prayer that Jesus taught his disciples commences, “Our Father in Heaven.” Even when Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, before they had sinned, God’s place of permanent abode was in Heaven, not with them in the garden. He visited Adam and Eve every day in the evening, but He did not dwell there with them. But in that day when God makes all things new we are told that God’s dwelling-place from that time on will be with his people.

This must surely be one of the most astonishing passages in the entire Bible. God is preparing to move home. The one who presently resides in highest heaven will take up residence with his people in the Holy City, the New Jerusalem. But some will say, surely it doesn’t mean God is moving his place of abode and authority. After all, his throne is in Heaven isn’t it? Yes it is, but the continuation of this passage in Revelation 22 tells us that from that time on the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the Holy City (Rev 22: 3).

God’s people will thereafter dwell in God’s presence forever. We will see him face-to-face. We will speak with him directly, as children speak with their father. Surely this is one of the most wonderful and exciting revelations in all of scripture. No wonder Paul writes to the Corinthians saying, “We will be with the Lord for ever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thess 4: 17-18)

John recorded the words of Jesus himself, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14: 1-3)

I take it then that the place Jesus is preparing for each of those who follow him is a room or house in the Holy City. Now I must confess that the first thought that came into my mind was, “Will there be room for everybody?” It’s probably my past mathematical training that made me think that way. But the angel did give John the dimensions of the Holy City – about 1400 miles in length, breadth and height – so that does perhaps encourage a little investigation! Now demographers estimate that the total number of people who have ever lived to this day is about 117 billion. Out of curiosity I wondered how big each room would be if 117 billion rooms occupied just one half of the city. Well, assuming my calculations are correct – which may be an optimistic assumption – each room would be a cube 400 yards – nearly a quarter of a mile – in length, breadth and height. If you restricted the room length, breadth and height to 20 yards, say, then you could fit 100 million billion of them into one half of the Holy City.

We can rest assured, there will be space for us all!

Not All Will be There

But our passage concludes on a sober note. You see, not all of the over 117 billion people who have ever lived will actually be able to dwell in that Holy City. Only those who are the children of God can dwell there. But there are other people who won’t ever enter in, people whose lives have been characterised by godless behaviour. Our passage says that their end instead will be to experience a second death, and as a result they will perish.

I think if we are honest many of us find this difficult, and prefer not to think about it. Maybe this is why we don’t often hear sermons being preached about hell today. How can it be that God, who is a God of love, could consign people to a consuming fire? I’d never want someone to go through that, so how could God desire it?

I think there are two things we should be clear about when considering this subject. The first is that God is indeed a God of righteousness and justice, and for that we must always be eternally thankful. Indeed justice is what we all long for and so often insistently demand. We cannot entertain the thought that one who inflicts intense harm and suffering to others, by stealing, raping, maiming or murdering, should get away with it scot-free – should never be held accountable for their actions, should never face justice. And this is not surprising, for the Bible tells us we are made in the image of God, and “The Lord loves righteousness and justice” (Ps 33: 5). And because He loves righteousness and justice the Bible tells us we will all stand before his judgement seat and receive the consequences for what we have done, whether good or evil.

This entire physical universe that God has made functions on the basis of cause and effect, action and counter-action, conduct and consequences. It is under the working of this principle that we all live and move and have our being. We learn this as infants, suffering many a hard knock in the process. And we pay dearly if we ignore it. On Monday this past week the Guardian newspaper reported that in the space of nine days, six holidaymakers, including the British TV presenter and nutritionist Michael Mosley, have either been found dead or gone missing on Greek islands. It is believed that they all miscalculated the effects of extremely high temperatures on their bodies whilst out walking, and suffered the consequences. Cause and effect. And God teaches us that a similar principle of cause and effect, conduct and consequence, applies in the realm of behaviour and morality. What we sow we will reap.

The apostle Paul wrote to the church in Galatia, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Gal 6: 7-8)

So we need to be clear that God is a God of righteousness and justice, and one day we will have to give an account to him for the way we have lived. Then the second thing we should be clear about when considering the subject of God’s judgement of sinners is this: God doesn’t desire it.

Peter wrote these words: “The Lord is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Pet 3: 9).

The apostle John recorded these memorable words spoken by Jesus: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3: 16).

To see the extent of God’s love for mankind, for all who fall so far short of His righteous requirements; to see the depth of his desire that no-one should perish, we have but to look at the cross. For on that cross Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, and not for ours only but also the sins of the whole world. And that includes all 117 billion people who have ever lived to date. That is the extent to which God went in order that no-one should perish. And all who receive Christ, all who trust that his sacrifice on the cross has paid the price for their evil deeds, are forgiven; and in some wonderful way, by His transforming power, they become children of God.

John wrote, “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1: 11-13)

On Friday this past week the United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) Word for Today recounted an episode from the life of Brennan Manning, who died about ten years ago. Brennan Manning was a Franciscan priest for nearly twenty years, and author of many Christian books. His first name was actually Richard, but he adopted the name Brennan when he was ordained as a priest. In one of his books he explained why he did this. He served in the Korean War alongside his best friend, Ray Brennan. One day a live hand-grenade was thrown into the foxhole they were sheltering in. Ray threw himself on top of the grenade before it exploded, and in this way saved Manning’s life, but of course he lost his own in the process.

This is how Friday’s Word for Today continues the story.

Years later, he [Brennan Manning] visited Ray’s mother in Brooklyn. They were sitting up late one night drinking tea when Brennan asked her, ‘Do you think Ray loved me?’ Mrs Brennan got up off the sofa, shook her finger in his face, and shouted, ‘What more could he have done for you?’

Brennan says that right then he experienced an epiphany. He imagined himself standing before the cross of Jesus wondering, ‘Does God really love me?’ And Jesus’ mother pointing to her son, saying, ‘What more could He have done for you?’

When Jesus said, ‘It is finished,’ the price of your salvation was paid in full. The question is – will you accept Him today as your Saviour and Lord?

See: https://www.ucb.co.uk/word-for-today (21 Jun 2024)

Nearly thirty years ago Christian musician Paul Oakley wrote a joyful worship song, inspired by the Bible passage we have been considering this morning: “There’s a Place Where the Streets Shine (Because of You).” My prayer is that every one of us, as well as those who are near and dear to us, will be able to sing this song out of our own personal experience of receiving God’s forgiveness through Christ.

There’s a place where the streets shine

With the glory of the Lamb

There’s a way we can go there

We can live there beyond time

Because of You, Because of You

Because of your love Because of Your blood

No more pain no more sadness

No more suffering no more tears

No more sin no more sickness

No injustice no more death

Because of You because of you

Because of your love Because of your blood

All our sins are washed away and we can live forever

Now we have this hope because of you

Oh we’ll see you face to face and we will dance together

In the city of our God because of You

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/PBSYV5Z8cI4

Amen.