Everything is new: (chap. 21-22:5)
Believers, Missionaries, evangelists throughout the history have filled the heaven and looking forward something new. Human history began in a Garden and ends in a City. In the Apostle John’s days, Rome was the admired city, yet God compared it to a harlot. That which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God (Lk.16:15). The eternal city of God is compared to a beautiful bride (Rev 21:9), because it is the eternal home for God’s beloved people.
We can make a comparative study between the old creation and New creation of God. “Behold, I make all things new… It is done!” (21:5). What began in Genesis is brought to completion in Revelation.
|
Genesis |
Revelation |
| Heavens and earth created (1:1) | New Heavens and earth created (21:1) |
| Sun created (1:16) | No need of the sun (21:23) |
| The night established (1:5) | No night there (22:5) |
| The seas created. (1:10) | No more seas (21:1) |
| The curse announced (3:14-17) | No more curse (22:3) |
| Death enters history (3:19) | NO more death (21:4) |
| Man driven from the tree (3:24) | Man restored to paradise (22:14) |
| Sorrow and pain begin (3:17) | No more tears or pain (21:4) |
Sadly today’s church is caught up with mad rush for material comfort and has become worldly. Believers must focus that for the citizenship in heaven (Phil 3:20). Paul says: “Set your mind on the things above not on the things that are on earth” (Col.3:1b-2).
The word heaven’ is told more than 500 times in the Bible. Heaven is an actual place, not a state of spiritual consciousness.
- The first heaven is the earth’s atmosphere (Gen. 1:20; Job. 12:7; Eze. 38:20).
- The second heaven is the interplanetary and interstellar space (Gen. 15:5; 22:17; Ps. 8:3; Isa. 13:10).
- The third heaven is the dwelling place of God (1 Ki. 8:30; Job. 22:12; Ps. 14:2)
When believers die, they will transported to 3rd heaven directly (1 Cor. 15:51-55; 1 Thes. 4:13-18).