No More Sea
Our study today centres on a phrase found in Revelation 21:1, no more sea. First, let’s read the whole verse. In this verse, we read how the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. John was shown a new heaven and a new earth where there was no more sea.
Does the phrase “…and there was no more sea” mean that bodies of water do not exist in the new heaven and in the new earth or does it mean something entirely different? Always remember, it’s only after all Scripture has been examined on any subject can true Bible doctrine be established.
One thing for sure is that this is a condition that does exist in the new heaven and the new earth. Notice what the Bible says in Isaiah 60:5 – “…. the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come to thee.”
This is a prophecy about Jesus Christ becoming the saviour of the world. Notice the use of the word “sea” in this verse to denote people, more specifically, the Gentiles coming, receiving and obeying the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.
Now read Revelation 5:10-14. Look at verse 13, “And every creature which is heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such are in the sea, and all that are in them heard I saying, Blessing and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.”
Now we know that the literal sea creatures, such as fish etc., are not going to bless, honour, and glorify the Lord. We see here another use of the word “sea” to denote people.
Now notice Revelation 13:1. “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.”
This obviously was not some “syfy” dragon type creature rising up out of the sea.
This creature rising up out of the sea symbolized the Gentile Nations. Again, we see the word “sea” being used here to denote people, more specifically, the Gentiles.
In Revelation 17:8-18, is the explanation of the beast described in Revelation 13:1. Notice in Revelation 17:15, “And he sayeth unto me, the waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.”
Again the “waters” is used to denote people and nations. By the way, the whore described in Revelation, the “Babylon” was Old Covenant Israel who had rejected God, broke His Covenant, martyred many of the prophets He had sent to them, and now had crucified Jesus.
In Revelation 19:6, we have another reference to “waters”. “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thundering’s saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” Again, we have the use of the word “waters” denoting people rejoicing and praising God.
Galatians 3:27-29 clearly tells us that in the New Covenant, which is the New Heaven and the New Earth, there is no longer any division or distinction made between people.
“For as many as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. Now there is neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free, male nor female, but we are all one in Christ Jesus”.
In Colossians 1:26-27, we read about the mystery which had been hid from ages and from generations but was made manifest to the saints; that is that God would make Himself known to the Gentiles.
Romans 16:25-26 tells us that this Gospel is now been made known to ALL nations. The word “gentiles” means nations or all other non-Jewish nations. Today, in the eyes of God, we either have believers or unbelievers.
Now we go to the verse found in Revelation 21:1. This verse clearly tells us that in the New Heavens and New Earth there is no more sea. From all of the previously cited verses, we can see how the word “sea” and “waters” used in the context of these verses, is referring to Gentiles.
Remember, this Gospel has been made available to “whosoever will” receive it and thus obey it. The middle wall of partition, (the Law), has now been torn down. (Ephesians 2:14-16) We have a whole study entitled “Has the Time of the Gentiles been Fulfilled?” This study goes into great detail about this whole concept.
Another way to think about the statement, “no more sea”, is the fact that there are no more boundaries. In the natural world, rivers, lakes, seas, and oceans all form boundaries. They separate bodies of land from each other. If you took out all of the bodies of water, there would be no separation between land masses. The parallel holds true spiritually.
Conclusion
In the eyes of God, there is no longer Jew or Gentile. The Time of the Gentiles has been fulfilled. In the New Heavens and the New Earth, there are no more barriers or boundaries. There is “no more sea”. As stated in Revelation 22:17, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
