We are in the New Heavens and the New Earth
“If this is the New Heavens and the New Earth, then I am very disappointed.”
This is the remark we heard someone say when they were told about the arrival of the New Heavens and the New Earth that Peter spoke about in 2 Peter 3:13.
The Biblical description of the New Heavens and New Earth where righteousness dwells do NOT describe some future utopian existence or redeemed cosmos, or even heaven itself.
Instead, it refers to the radically contrasted life of people in the New Covenant world of righteousness in Christ Jesus. Isaiah prophesied about the salvation and righteousness that were on the way. Isaiah 51:7-8, Isaiah 56:1, Isaiah 66:22.
First, let’s define the word “righteousness”.
The Biblical definition of “righteousness” is: the quality of being right in the eyes of God.
Peter proclaimed that righteousness would dwell in the New Heaven and in the New Earth. This is the defining characteristic that will enable us to get an unmistakable handle on its true identity, timing, and location.
Jesus said in Revelation 21:5, “Behold, I make all things new.”
The Old Heaven and the Old Earth Covenant were removed. Hebrews 8:13
The Old Heavens and Earth was superseded by a new order, the New Covenant Kingdom Age wherein righteousness dwells.
Those who are “in Christ” are the places where this righteousness now dwells. We are the home and the defining characteristic of the “New Heavens and New Earth”. 1 Corinthians 3:16, 2 Corinthians 6:16, Ephesians 2:6, Ephesians 2:19-22.
As long as the Old Covenantal Heaven and Earth was still standing (Jerusalem and the Temple), the early Church was still waiting for salvation and redemption to arrive. They were still waiting for the New Heaven and the New Earth to arrive in its completeness. Galatians 5:5, Romans 8:19-22.
The current traditional views that anticipate the annihilation and massive renovation of the material heaven and earth cause much confusion.
There is no doubt that God could create a new physical cosmos any time He wanted to, but that is not the way He planned to fulfil this Biblical promise or prophesy.
God knows that Christians long for a better day in a better world. Most Church people are unlearned when it comes to Bible history and its Scriptural fulfilments. Millions of Christians today are deeply entrenched in the idea of a new renovated physical “heaven and earth”.
Once Scripture is detached from its covenantal framework, it can be used to teach just about anything. The problem that’s wrong with our earth is not its plants, animals, rocks, dirt, atmosphere, or the cosmos surrounding it.
The problem with our planet is the people who live on it.
People are the ones in sin who need to be made new. It stands to reason that the physical stars and other planets are not polluted or affected by human sin, so why would God destroy His beautiful creation? Psalms 19:1, Romans 1:20.
In spite of all the End-time prophecy that include the idea of inevitable cosmic destruction, remember what God said to Noah after the flood. Genesis 8:21-22
Revelation 21:2 tells us that the New Jerusalem is here right now.
Hebrews 12:22-23 tells us that the Church is the New Jerusalem. It came in AD 70 of the first century.
The New Jerusalem is at the centre of the New Heaven and New Earth. Revelation 22:14 tells us that they that do His commandments can enter into the city and have right to the Tree of Life which is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ.
Revelation 22:15 tells us that outside of the city is all manner of evil and wickedness. This describes the environment outside of the Church in which we live today.
It is sad to know that many preachers today tell their congregations that they will at some time in the future spend their eternity in a “space city” which will hover above a new renovated Earth. Revelation 21:10, Revelation 21:16
If this is true, then 1 Peter 4:7 would be false along with many other Scriptures that speak of immanency. The destiny of born-again believers in Christ is a life in heaven, not on a New physical Earth. If we are in Christ now, we already enjoy part of heaven here on earth and enjoy the Covenantal realm of the New Jerusalem that came down from heaven.
Revelation 21:2 It is here now; it exists now; we live in it now.
Christians can eat of the Tree of Life now. Revelation 2:7, 22:14 The Tree of Life is located in the New Jerusalem. We will not need access to the Tree of Life in heaven because we will already have eternal life.
New Jerusalem is a present-day reality. Born-again Christians can drink of the water of life freely now. John 4:10, John 4:14, John 7:37-39, Revelation 21:6, Revelation 22:17.
The water of life is located in the New Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem is a present reality. Revelation 22:1
Abraham looked for a “better country”; a heavenly one, a heavenly city. Hebrews 11:10-16, 11:39-41
This heavenly city would endure throughout all eternity. Hebrews 12:22-23, 13:14, Joel 3:14-17
What Abraham was seeking was Isaiah’s, Peter’s, and Revelation’s New Heaven and New Earth.
The New Heaven and the New Earth is the true fulfilment of the real Promised Land. Located at the centre of this Promised Land is the New Jerusalem, the city from above.
The coming of the New Jerusalem was the appropriate conclusion to the Book of Revelation.
Conclusion
In Genesis 1:1, God created the cosmic Heavens and Earth.
At Mt. Sinai, God created the Covenantal Heavens and Earth for the Nation of Israel and placed it in the tabernacle.
This included:
types and shadows of the temple cultus,
the altar of sacrifice,
the brazen laver,
the Holy place, and
the Holy of Holies.
This was in place until AD 70.
When the Old Covenantal Heaven and Earth were taken out of the way, the Covenantal New Heavens and New Earth were consummated in the year AD 70 of the first century. 2 Timothy 1:10
This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the New Birth.
Because of the misunderstanding of what the New Heavens and the New Earth actually are, is what brings disappointment to many.
The Bible tells us that the New Heavens and the New Earth are Covenantal in nature and not a literal renovation of the planet Earth, sun, moon, and stars.
Today, we can make the choice to obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ by repenting, having our sins washed away in the Name of Jesus, and being filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 2: 1-4, 37-39
When we are born again, now we are righteous in the eyes of God because we have entered into the New Covenantal Heaven and Earth. Therefore, we can enter into that city where the Tree of Life is, where everlasting life is; or we can choose to live outside the city where evil and wickedness dwell.