Revelation 21 -- The
New Jerusalem
p 748 -- The burden of
this chapter, commencing with verse 2, is the New Jerusalem; but before that is
introduced, John tells us how the present heaven and earth and sea are to be
disposed of, as follows:
VERSE 1. 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.
(Excerpt taken from
Daniel and Revelation by Uriah Smith 1897-1911 Editions)
New Heaven and New
Earth. - By the first heaven and first earth, John unquestionably means the
present heaven and earth, "the heavens and the earth which are now."
2 Peter 3:7. Some have supposed that when the Bible speaks of the third heaven,
in which are paradise and the tree of life (2 Cor. 12:2; Rev. 2:7), it refers
to the heaven which is yet future, and does not prove that there is a paradise
and tree of life literally in existence in heaven at the present time. They
base their view on the fact that Peter speaks of three heavens and earths,
- (1) those before the flood, (2) the ones which now
are, and (3) the ones which are to come. But that theory is
completely overturned by the first verse of Revelation 21; for John here
reckons but two heavens and earths. The ones which now are he calls the first,
so that the future new heavens would, according to this count, be the second,
and not the third, as Peter reckons. Hence it is certain that Peter did not
design
p 749 -- to establish
a numerical order, in accordance with which we should speak of one as the
first, another as the second, and the last as the third. The object of his
reasoning was simply to show that as a literal heaven and earth succeeded to
the destruction of the earth by the flood, so a literal heaven and earth would
result from the renovation of the present system by fire. There is no proof,
therefore, that the Bible, when it speaks of the third heaven, refers simply to
the third state of the present heavens and earth, for then all the Bible
writers would uniformly have so reckoned it. Thus the arguments of those who
would endeavor to disprove the idea of a literal paradise and tree of life in
existence at the present time, fall to the ground. The Bible certainly
recognizes three heavens in the present constitution of things; namely, the
first, or atmospheric heaven, which the fowls of the air inhabit; the second,
the planetary heaven, the region of the sun, moon, and stars; and the third, high
above the others, where paradise and the tree of life are found (Rev. 2:7);
where God has his residence and his throne (Rev. 22:1, 2); to which Paul was
caught up in heavenly vision (2 Cor. 12:2); to which Christ ascended when he
left the earth (Rev. 12:5); where he now, as priest-king, sits upon the throne
with his Father (Zech. 6:13) ; and where the glorious city stands, awaiting the
saints when they enter into life. Rev. 21:2.
Blessed be God that
from that bright land intelligence has been brought to this far-off world of
ours! and thanks be to his holy name that a way has been opened from the dark
places of earth, which leads like a straight and shining path of light up to those
blest abodes!
The Sea No More. -
Because John says, "And there was no more sea," the question is
sometimes asked, "Is there, then, to be no sea in the new earth?" It
does not certainly follow from this text that there will be none; for John is
speaking only of the present heaven and earth and sea. It might be translated
thus: "For the first heaven and the first earth were passed away, and the
sea [ouk estin eti] was no more;" that is, the old sea no longer appeared,
any more than the old
p 750 -- heaven and
old earth; and yet there may be a new sea as there is a new earth.
Dr. Clarke says on
this passage: "The sea no more appeared than did the
first heaven and earth. All was made new; and probably the new sea occupied a
different position, and was differently distributed, from that of the old sea."
The river of life., of
which we read in the following chapter, proceeding from the throne of God, and
flowing through the broad street of the city, must find some place into which
to discharge its waters; and what can that be but the new-earth sea? That there
will be a sea, or seas, in the new earth, may be inferred from the prophecy
which speaks of Christ's future reign as follows: "And his dominion
shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the
earth." Zech. 9:10. But that three quarters of the globe will then, as
now, be abandoned to a waste of waters, cannot be expected. The new world will
have everything which will contribute to its, utility and beauty.
*******
Truth.
VERSE 1. 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.
New.
We comprehend newness
of things. Who doesn't like the shiny new thing in their life? Sure for some-
in fact a lot of people- changing to new things isn't easy or welcomed, yet
getting new things is often appreciated. We have birthdays, holidays of various
sorts throughout the year that have us looking forward getting new things. We do understand the enjoyment of new and
improved.
A new world. We will
have the honor of living in a brand new world.
A new world with new
heavens.
I don't know about you
but this leaves me shaking by head unable to comprehend how I could ever
deserve to live in such a world. And then, well, then I realize I will NEVER
deserve to live in the new world. My SAVIOR deserves to live in the new world,
and by HIS grace He will save me, clothe me in His righteousness and allow me
to live with Him forever and ever, eternally and ever more in the new world.
Please, Savior…please,
save me. I do NOT and WILL NEVER deserve to be saved. Please, by Your grace!
Please, by Your worthiness, through Your Love!
Please.
Amen.
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