The Ultimate Fulfillment of God’s Promise
In the culmination of human history, God will create a new heaven and a new earth, where sin, suffering, and death will be eradicated forever. The old order, which has been “bondage to decay” (Rom. 8:21), will give way to a new cosmic order where righteousness dwells (2 Pet. 3:13). This represents the specific fulfillment of the prophecy given to Isaiah: “I create new heavens and a new earth…” (Isa. 65:17).
The Holy City, New Jerusalem
The holy city, new Jerusalem, will descend from heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. God will dwell with his people, and they will be his people, with God himself as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more (Rev. 21:4). The sea, a symbol of rebellion and chaos, will cease to exist, and the redeemed will rejoice in the eternal presence of God and the Lamb.
Unhindered Fellowship with God
The greatest blessing of heaven will be the unhindered fellowship with God himself. The goal of God’s covenant, “God with us” (Isa. 7:14), will be achieved. God will reverse the curse that entered the world through human sin, and his people will live in eternal joy and peace.
The Radiant Light of God
Jesus, the Lamb, will be the source of light for the city, and his servants will worship him as their priests. Believers will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. In union with Jesus their king, they will reign as kings over the new earth forever and ever (Rev. 5:10).
A New Creation
In the new heaven and earth, there will be no more night, and God’s servants will bask in the light of his radiant glory and truth. The river of the water of life will flow from the throne of God and the Lamb, carrying the Holy Spirit’s refreshing and life-giving power. The tree of life will satisfy the city’s residents year-round, and the healing of the nations will be complete.
The Hope of Everlasting Joy
The hope of everlasting joy finds its answer in the covenant. God’s redeemed people will taste the fullness of joy in the new heaven and earth, where there will be no more sorrow, pain, or death. They will reign with Christ forever, in the presence of God, who looks upon them with favor and delight.
The New Covenant Motivation
Believers are motivated by the promise of eternal life and the reality of the judgment to come. They live by faith, not by sight, trusting in God’s promises for the future. The presence of the Spirit in their lives now is the guarantee that they will receive resurrection bodies when Jesus returns.
The Ultimate Rest
In the new heaven and earth, God’s people will find ultimate rest and peace. They will build houses and inhabit them, plant vineyards and eat their fruit, and live long lives free from calamity. The wolf and the lamb will graze together, and the serpent’s food will be dust. They shall not hurt or destroy in all God’s holy mountain (Isa. 65:25).
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