In our final study on the New Earth from Revelation 21 and 22, we see how it will be characterized by Glory, Love, Enrichment of the Nations and Service. Heaven will never be boring because we will always be employed in serving Him in a multitude of exciting and fulfilling ways!
What Will The New Earth Be Like? – Part 3
Revelation 21-22
What should the hope of heaven do for the Christian? What impact should it have on our lives here and now? I want to suggest two things: hope and joy.
1 Peter 1:3-4, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living HOPE through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you… In this you greatly REJOICE”
Romans 5:2, “and we EXULT in HOPE of the glory of God.” There we have it again. The word “exult” means “to rejoice greatly.” What do we rejoice greatly in? The hope of the glory of God. That’s talking about heaven.
I hope and pray that our studies of the New Earth fill you with hope and joy! They have done that for me!
You say, what happens after Christ returns, destroys the present heavens and earth, raises all men from the dead, judges all men, and creates the new heaven and new earth. I believe in that day, the New Earth will be our heaven. You see, heaven is the immediate dwelling place of God where He is enjoyed and worshiped. In that day, God will dwell with His redeemed people in His redeemed universe, and especially on the New Earth. In that place God will be enjoyed and worshiped by His people like never before.
We are examining what the New Earth will be like, and we have identified 6 qualities of the New Earth so far. The New Earth will be characterized by Renewal, Intimacy, Access, Joy, Life, and Holiness. However, that’s not all. We are going to look at 4 more qualities this morning. The New Earth will also be characterized by Glory, Love, Enrichment and Service.
1. Glory
Let’s look at some of the descriptions of glory in Revelation 21-22.
Revelation 21:10-11, “And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper.” This passage speaks of the glory of the church. We know that from verse 9, “Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” Then the angel shows John the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. Therefore, the church is the holy city, the New Jerusalem. And the church has the glory of God! She is brilliant like crystal-clear jasper.
Of course, the glory of the church is not intrinsic to the church. The church merely reflects the glory of God, as the moon reflects the light of the sun, but has no glory of her own.
No wonder when Jesus explained the parable of the Wheat and the Tares, He said, “Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (Mt.13:43).
Revelation 21:22, “I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” God manifested His glory in the tabernacle, and later in the temple. Here we are told that God and Jesus are the temple of the New Earth. They envelop the church with their glorious presence. In the New Earth, you won’t have to move from Location A to Location B in order to behold the glory of God. The glory of God will be everywhere! You will not be able to escape from the glory of God, and you will never want to!
Revelation 21:23-24, “And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light…” In our world, we need the light of the sun and the reflected light of the moon to enable us to see clearly. In the New Earth, God’s glory will be all the light we will need.
Revelation 22:5, “And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.”
Try to imagine it – a world where the sun and moon (and stars) are absent, because they are not needed. The function they provided in this world is assumed by God Himself. God’s glory permeates and fills the New Earth. And the church will radiate God’s glory and reflect it back to Him.
2. Love
I’m talking here about God’s love for us, His church. Yes, in the New Earth we will love God supremely! But the thing to be noticed here in Revelation 21 is God’s special love for His people.
Notice the repetition of the number 12 and its multiples:
12 gates – 12:12
12 angels – 12:12
12 tribes – 12:12
12 foundation stones – 12:14
12 names of 12 apostles – 12:14
12,000 stadia – 12:16. 1,500 miles loses its special meaning. Literally, this is 12,000 stadia.
144 cubits – 12:17. Again, 72 yards does not give its symbolic meaning.
Are we supposed to take these descriptions literally? No, we are still reading apocalyptic literature, which is language written in sensational symbolic language. We are supposed to change our method of interpretation when we come to Revelation 21-22. I believe these 12s and multiples should be understood symbolically.
Throughout the Scripture, the number 12 is used to stand for the people of God. In the Old Testament, the people of God consisted of 12 tribes. In the New Testament the people of God were led by 12 apostles. In Revelation 4 we find 24 elders. Most scholars believe these elders represent all the people of God under both Old and New Testaments. And that makes sense, if this city, the New Jerusalem represents God’s redeemed people.
Well, what else do we learn about this city? We learn that it is made up of very precious stones!
Revelation 21:18-21, “The material of the wall was jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire, the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.”
Interestingly, there is another place which mentions 12 precious stones. It is Exodus 28:17-21. The high priest of Israel wore special priestly garments. One of them was called the Breastpiece of Judgment. On this special cloth were mounted 12 precious stones. Each stone represented a different tribe of Israel. The breastpiece was worn over the high priest’s heart, symbolizing the fact that he represented them before God from a heart of love. Of course, Christ, our true High Priest, represents all of His people before the Father, because of His love for us. 8 of the 12 stones are exactly the same in both Ex. 28 and Rev. 21. In Ex. 28 the stones represent the people of God. In Rev. 21 the precious stones also represent the people of God dwelling with the Lord forever because of the love of Christ. The breastpiece of judgment was a temporary earthly symbol that foreshadowed the eternal permanent reality of the entire people of God dwelling with the Lord and eternally loved by the Lord.
All of this points to the Preciousness of the People of God. The city and its streets are pure gold, refined so much that no impurities remain to be seen. Each of the twelve gates are single pearls. Wouldn’t you like to see the oysters that produced these pearls?! Jesus told a parable in which a merchant found a pearl of great price so precious that he was willing to sell everything he had to buy it. All of the other stones are precious. Why does this city consist of extremely precious stones? I believe it is to convey the truth to us that God’s people are precious to Him! God’s love for His people is seen in the incredible value He places upon us. And the even more amazing thing is that we are not worthy of being esteemed valuable and precious. We are sinners through and through. We have done enough evil in our lives to be cast into Hel for all eternity, and we would have no reason to complain to God of it. He would be absolutely just in doing so. Why then, would God consider us so precious to Him? Let’s look at some Scripture that might help.
Deuteronomy 7:6-8, “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but because the Lord loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the Lord brought you out by a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” Here we are told what was not the reason God loved Israel. It wasn’t because they were a larger nation than all the other nations. Rather they were the smallest. God’s love of Israel had nothing to do with their worthiness, or something they had done. God loved them because He loved them – period! No reason is given. God simply decided to love them.
Isaiah 43:4, “Since you are precious in My sight, since you are honored and I love you, I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your life.” Israel was loved by God and precious to Him, even though they committed idolatry over and over and eventually were taken into exile for their sins.
Why does God have a special saving love for His elect? Why does He value and prize them so highly? Is it because the elect are better, more righteous than others? Absolutely not! Ephesians 2:1-3 tells us that we were dead in our transgressions and children of wrath even as all the rest. However, “In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself according to the good pleasure of His will…” (Eph.1:5). Later in Ephesians 3:18-19 Paul prays that the Ephesians would be able to “comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.”
Ephesians 5:29, “for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church.” Christ cherishes the church! That means that Christ values the church greatly. We cherish what we value. The great mystery is why? We have not done anything great to earn or deserve this love of Christ! If He only looked at us and what we have done, He would be right to hate and reject us forever. But He doesn’t. Instead He loves us. The only answer we can give to the question why Christ loves us is “He loves us because He loves us.”
In the New Earth, we will be the recipients of the greatest love this universe has ever or will ever know! For all eternity, you will be cherished, valued, honored and loved by the Almighty Creator and Redeemer! That alone should make you long for and eagerly wait for the second coming of Christ!
3. Enrichment
What I mean by “enrichment” is that in two places we are told that the New Earth will be enriched by those who come into it.
Revelation 21:24 “the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it”
Revelation 21:26 “they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it”
Now, what is this about? How will the kings and nations bring their glory into the New Earth? Obviously, this must be talking about kings who were converted to Christ during their life on this present earth. I believe in the New Earth, these kings who were true Christians, will bring the glory they had as kings in this world into the next world, and lay it down before the Lord in worship. We are told in Revelation 4 that the 24 elders fall down before the Lamb and take their crowns and cast them before the throne. Similarly these converted kings will do the same with all their wealth, power, and glory. They will voluntarily ascribe that all their glory is only the glory that God permitted them to have in this life, and it all must be given back to Christ.
The nations will also bring their glory into it. What does that mean?
When you think of the various nations of the world, certain great accomplishments of that nation come to mind.
Sports: when we think of long distance running, Kenya and Ethiopia come to mind. The United Kingdom excels in rowing, France in fencing and cycling, Spain in sailing, Russia in figure skating and weightlifting, Norway in cross-country skiing, China in table tennis, Mongolia in wrestling and judo, The United States in swimming, basketball and baseball, Mexico in cliff diving, Cuba in boxing, Jamaica in sprinting, Brazil in soccer, and Iran in Taekwondo.
And it’s not just sports. We could also mention architecture, medicine, science, music, and technology.
Egypt is known for their pyramids and hieroglyphics. Greece is known for its ancient philosophy. Italy is known for its renaissance art. France for its fashion and wine. Germany for engineering and classical music. The United Kingdom for the industrial revolution and the writings of Shakespeare. Spain for its explorations. Norway for its viking seafaring. China for its invention of paper and printing, India for its advances in mathematics, Japan for robotics and bullet trains, the United States and Russia for advances in space exploration, Peru for the Inca Empire, Australia for cricket and rugby. The list could go on and on.
Think of all the different kinds of dining and foods that have been created in all the nations of the world. Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Irish, English, French, German, etc.
Think of all the different kinds of music the various nations have created. Think of the various kinds of dance.
In the very beginning, God gave Adam and Eve the command to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and rule over God’s creation. Since the beginning of time, man has been creating, exploring, inventing, developing. I think that’s what we will be doing in the New Earth, all to the glory of God!
All of the great accomplishments of the kings and nations are just foreshadowings of the new creation. We will be released into the fulness of our potential as image bearers of God. The finest things ever done or produced by man will be brought into the New Earth and made part of this new creation.
What this passage seems to imply is that we will carry some of our ethnic distinctiveness into the New Earth. In other words, if we are Chinese in this life, we will still be Chinese there. Linda and Esmerelda will still be Hispanic, Jerome will still be African-American, and I will still be French Canadian (among other things!). Apparently the New Earth will not be so totally new that none of our current ethnic distinctiveness will be carried into it. No, the nations will bring their glory into it!
4. Service
Revelation 22:3, “There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him.”
What will we be doing on the New Earth? We will be serving God and the Lamb! Folks, life on the New Earth will never be boring, mundane, and meaningless. You know when life begins to lack meaning and purpose and satisfaction? When you have no goals, nothing to strive for, nothing to achieve, nothing to create or explore or develop or conquer. I believe eternity will be filled with service of God and Christ, and therefore it will be deeply meaningful and satisfying.
You know, I have discovered that having goals makes life exciting. Having the goal of winning the National Banjo Championship gave me something to strive for every day. Having the goal of seeing men become strong Christians who lead their families, overcome sin, and lead others to Christ, gives me meaning and purpose to continue to disciple them and pray for them.
I know a lot of people believe heaven will be completely boring, because they envision it like watching the same old reruns on TV over and over, with nothing ever new. Our service of Christ will keep heaven forever exciting and challenging! We don’t know what challenges He will give us in the New Earth, but I’m sure He will. When Jesus the parable of the 10 servants that were given one mina each, there was one servant that increased his mina 10-fold. When the master returned from his trip, he told that servant, “you are to be in authority over ten cities.” Of course, this parable refers to Christ being crucified, returning to heaven, and then returning. Thus, when He returns and calls us to account, those who are faithful will be given some kind of authority in the New Earth. Now, what that authority looks like, or what it will entail, I don’t know. But authority includes activity, diligence, and labor.
Never think of heaven as being boring because there is nothing to do! God gave Adam plenty to do before the Fall. There will be work on the New Earth, but work without the frustration we experience now. It will be fulfilling, even exhilarating.
We only think heaven will be boring, because we think God will be boring. Can you ever imagine God being boring?!! Never. I believe we will continue to grow in understanding. We will continue to learn. We will continue to advance in skills and abilities and make progress. Perhaps some of us will study the plants, and animals in the New Earth. Perhaps some will explore the New Heavens that God will create. I don’t know. I’m just speculating. But one thing is for sure, on the New Earth, we will serve Him! Try to imagine serving God without sin dragging you down constantly.
Conclusion
My friends, this is your destiny! To live forever in a world renewed, with no sin, tears, pain, or death. To live in a world where the presence of Christ is everywhere! Where you have instant and immediate access to God always and everywhere. A world characterized by God’s life, joy, and holiness. A world filled with God’s glory. A world enriched by God’s redeemed people bringing their ethnic glory into it. A world of being the special objects of God’s infinite love. A love where we serve God actively and find fulfilment in that service.
That is our future. Are you going there? Will you be on the New Earth? Only those who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb will be there. Have you? Have you put all your trust and reliance in Jesus Christ, and His finished work? If so, then let Revelation 21 and 22 whet your spiritual appetite for the world to come! Long for it! Wait for it with eagerness! Look forward to the coming of Christ!
If you do not know if you are going to the New Earth, the only other option is eternal Hell. I don’t want any of you to go there. You can find eternal joy on the New Earth, if you will repent and trust Christ. Are you willing to change your mind, change direction, and follow Christ, trusting Him for your salvation? If so, you too can be part of the multitude which no many can number, enjoying Christ and His riches for all eternity! I pray you will come to Christ today.
______________________________
© The Bridge
Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is preferred. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by The Bridge.
Follow Us!