Topic(s):  Bible Study, Eternity & judgment

Todd Clippard

There is considerable theological controversy as to the identity of the new heavens and new earth. I will carefully weigh in with some thoughts from my study, and you will have to give them "the Berean test" (Acts 17:11).

The phrase appears at least four times in Scripture (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1). I believe a comparison of the appearances will give us a clear picture as to what constitutes the new heavens and new earth.

First, we know this new heavens and new earth cannot be a physical heaven and earth as claimed by the Jehovah's Witnesses. Theirs is a separate abode from Heaven, the dwelling place of God, but those in the new heaven and earth shall enjoy the presence of God. Note Revelation 21:3. After introducing this new heavens and earth in verse 1, John says of it:

1. "the tabernacle (temple - Revelation 7:15) of God is with men" (Revelation 21:22);
2. "He (God) will dwell with them" and "God Himself will be with them"
3. It is inhabited by "the Lord God Almighty," "the Lamb," and "the nations of those who are saved" - Revelation 21:22-27.

Also of note is the Greek word translated "new." It comes from the Greek kainos, meaning, "unused, not new in time, recent, but new as to form or quality, of different nature from what is contrasted as old." (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, pp 430-431, emp mine - JTC)

Also, of this new heaven and new earth, it is said "the former shall not be remembered or come to mind" (Isaiah 65:17). This corresponds with Revelation 21:4, "the former things have passed away" (cf "passed away" - 2 Corinthians 5:17).

The only logical (and biblical) identity of this new heaven and new earth is Heaven, the dwelling place of God.

The purpose of the language is accommodative. All we know about life is what we have seen and experience. There are two primary parts of our earthly abode -- namely heaven (the air and space) and Earth. Therefore, both Peter and John use language to show that everything about our eternal dwelling place will be new. Nothing shall be carried over from this physical world to the spiritual world.
 
John had similar difficulties when trying to describe the beauty and glory of that heavenly city. He used the only available terms to describe those things which are beautiful and priceless: gold, pearls, jasper, sapphire, amethyst, topaz, etc. Of course, we know that there will not be literal gold or pearl in heaven, but John had to give some type of description that would excite his readers about this wonderful place.