The Promise of a New Heaven and a New Earth: Our Eternal Home with God

The grandeur of God's creation reveals His eternal power, yet the current heavens and earth are temporary and will never be replaced with a physical earth. Psalms 102:25-26 affirms, "Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed." Though created by God's hand, the existing universe is fleeting, destined for divine judgment, and will never be replaced with another physical earth.

Prophetic visions depict this final act of divine judgment. Isaiah 34:4 describes, "And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree." Isaiah 51:6 further underscores, "Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment; and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished."

In Isaiah 65:17, God declares, "For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind." This promise points to a future not merely of physical renewal but of a perfect, eternal realm where only righteousness dwells—our ultimate heavenly home—an everlasting realm described in 2 Peter 3:13: "Nevertheless, we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."

Jesus affirms this certainty in Luke 21:33: "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." His words underpin the unshakeable hope of a divine future.

The divine process of judgment and renewal is detailed by Peter in 2 Peter 3:7-13:
"But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."

This passage makes clear that this present creation will be consumed in divine fire, never to be physically replaced but replaced by the everlasting heavenly dwelling prepared by God.

Revelation 20:11-12 vividly describe the final judgment:
"And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books."

Following that judgment, the old creation passes away, replaced with the new heaven and new earth—the eternal home of righteousness in heaven with God the Father.

Our Heavenly Home: Righteousness, Joy, and No More Tears

Unlike the current physical world, where death, pain, and sorrow are ever-present, the new heaven and earth will be a realm where only righteousness dwells. Revelation 21:4 promises, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."
In this everlasting realm, tears, death, pain, and sorrow will be gone forever.  Revelation 21:8 confirms this, stating, "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." But for those who are redeemed, this is a future of perfect peace and eternal joy.

Further describing this glorious future, Revelation 21:27 says, "And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." This is a holy dwelling where righteousness forever reigns—a realm of purity and divine glory.

The goodness awaiting God's children is beyond human comprehension. 1 Corinthians 2:9 declares, "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." This divine inheritance is fundamentally impossible to fully grasp in our current mortal state. It is reserved for those who love and trust Jesus Christ.

This future existence is not possible on a physical earth as we know it. As long as the physical world endures, there will be death, pain, tears, thieves, and sorrow. But God's promise of the new heaven and new earth assures us an eternal realm where these things will never be, because God's eternal kingdom is a spiritual reality, surpassing earthly limitations.

In Summary:

• The current heavens and earth are temporary and will never be replaced with another physical earth. They are reserved for divine fire and judgment.
• The new heaven and new earth will be a realm where only righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13).
• It will be a place of no more tears, death, pain, or sorrow (Revelation 21:4).
• The inhabitants will experience eternal joy and perfect peace, free from deception, violence, and sin (Revelation 22:14-15).
• The goodness awaiting us is beyond human understanding (1 Corinthians 2:9).

This divine promise offers hope and encouragement to live holy and godly lives, eagerly awaiting the eternal home prepared by God's boundless love. It is a future secured by the unchangeable Word of God—a realm where God's children will dwell with Him forever in righteousness and perfect joy.

Sermon Outline: The Promise of a New Heaven and a New Earth—Our Eternal Home in God

I. Introduction

• The greatness of God's creation reveals His eternal power.
• Currently, we live on a temporary universe that is destined for divine judgment.
• The assurance of God's ultimate plan for our eternal future.

II. The Transience of the Current Creation

• Psalms 102:25-26: "Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth...they shall perish, but thou shalt endure..."
• The heavens and earth are fleeting; they will never be replaced with another physical earth.
• Prophetic Visions of Judgment:
  • Isaiah 34:4: "All the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll."
  • Isaiah 51:6: "The heavens shall vanish away like smoke...but my salvation shall be for ever."

III. The Divine Promise of a New Heaven and a New Earth

• Isaiah 65:17: "For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth..."
• This is not merely physical renewal but an everlasting realm where only righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13).
• Jesus’ affirmation: Luke 21:33: "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away."
• The certainty of God's divine plan, unshaken and eternal.

IV. The Divine Judgment and the Transition to the Eternal Realm

• 2 Peter 3:7-13:
  • The current heavens and earth are reserved for divine fire — reserved for judgment.
  • "They shall be dissolved," and the elements shall melt with fervent heat.
  • Believers are encouraged to live holy lives in anticipation of the coming divine renewal.
• Revelation 20:11-12:
  • The earth and heaven flee away before the great white throne.
  • The final judgment of all humanity.

V. The Glories of the Eternal Home with God

• Revelation 21:4: "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."
• Revelation 21:8, 27:
  • No more sin, liars, murderers, or defilers.
  • Only those written in the Lamb's book of life will dwell in this holy city.
• The Incomparable Goodness: 1 Corinthians 2:9: "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard...the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

VI. The Reality Beyond Human Comprehension

• This future cannot be experienced fully while the physical exists.
• As long as the physical remains, there will be death, pain, tears, thieves, and sorrow.
• The eternal kingdom is a spiritual, divine reality beyond earthly limitations.

VII. Conclusion / Call to Action

• The divine promise of the new heaven and new earth should encourage holy living.
• Live each day with hope, longing for the glorious eternity prepared by God.
• Let us trust in His unchangeable Word and eagerly await the eternal dwelling with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, where righteousness reigns forever.