All Things New
Rev. 21:5 “And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful”
Introduction
New Year have just arrived. Everywhere in the world from the richest country to the poorest, celebrated the end of year 2022, and the arrival of year 2023. Fireworks which cost millions of dollars was spent just to entertain the people for few minutes instead of I would say giving it to the poor, the sick, and the needy to alleviate their sufferings. People prepared their New Year’s resolution while others spent the night partying, drinking, dancing, carousing, and all forms of fleshy enjoyment without even praying and thanking God for all He hast done. The Lord says He will make all things new so let’s open our bible and our hearts and see what the Lord wants us to know today.
The word “new” is found in 150 matches in 131 verses. The word of God has a lot to talk about the word “new” and for me “new things” are always exciting.
Illustration 1: Throwing Out the Old
Those inventive people, the Italians, have a custom. As midnight on New Year’s Eve approaches, the streets are clear. There is no traffic; there are no pedestrians; even the policemen take cover. Then, at the stroke of 12, the windows of the houses fly open. To the sound of laughter, music and fireworks, each member of the family pitches out old crockery, detested ornaments, hated furniture and a whole catalogue of personal possessions which remind them of something in the past year they are determined to wipe out of their minds. —House & Garden
The same is happening in Singapore. The Chinese will throw away old furniture, utensil, electronic items like radios, TV, calculators, etc., and other belonging which they think causes misfortunes to the delight of the Malays, Thais, Indians, Filipinos, etc., who are willing to take free items which they think is still useful, thereby saving lots of money.
I. New Heaven and New Earth – Rev. 21:1
A. The first two chapters of the Bible described the first heaven and the first earth, which is termed as “good”.
B. The last two chapters of the Bible describe the new heaven and new earth once again made “good” by God.
C. In Greek the word “new” here is “Kainos” which means “renewed”. D. The meaning in simple English is that the old heaven and earth are completely “renovated” by fire, not annihilated (2 Pet. 3:10, Rev. 20:11)
E. The new earth will still be the old earth made new again by purging out all the age long evidences of sin, and curse, decay and death.
F. The new heaven does not refer to God’s dwelling place, which is the third heaven, but rather to the first heaven which is the earth’s atmosphere, and probably to the second heaven which is the realm of the stars and other heavenly bodies.
G. The renovation includes the elimination of the oceans which is necessary now but not in the eternal state.
Illustration/Application:
Indeed heaven and earth will pass away, a prophecy made by our Lord Jesus Christ long ago and this will be the fulfilment (Mat. 24:35). However, there is one thing that will never pass away, the eternal Word of God (Ps. 119:160). If I’m reading the Bible, I wish that the Lord will put every Book, from Genesis to Revelation, every chapter, every verse, every word, every comma, every period in my mind and retain it that even in heaven it will be fresh and I can always recall it with exact precision.
II. New City – Rev. 21:9-23
A. This is the New Jerusalem which is a Holy place – Rev. 21:2
B. The New Jerusalem is a place where God will dwell with his people – Rev. 21:3
C. It is a place where no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain will exist. Our tears of sorrow will in that day will be turned into tears of joy and thanksgiving – Rev. 21:4-5.
D. It is a place where the water of life is freely available – Rev. 21:6
E. It is a place where saints shall inherit all things – Rev. 21:7.
F. It is a place where no unregenerate sinners will enter. Those sinners are: the fearful, the unbelieving, the abominable, the murderers, the whoremongers, the sorcerers, the idolaters, and the liars – Rev. 21: 7-8, 27; 22:15.
G. It is a place of glory (kingly splendour and wealth, characterized brilliant colours and breath-taking beauty) – Rev. 21:11, 23.
H. It would be a city of Gold – Rev. 21:18, 21
I. It has a high wall, 216 feet high and are made of jasper (Rev. 21:12, 17, 18). The wall has 12 gates, and the foundations of these walls has 12 types of precious stones. It has also had the names of the 12 apostles (Rev. 21:14). This proves that there are only 12 apostles for all eternity and disproves any doctrine of apostolic succession. I wonder if the name of Paul is there. (Acts 1:26)
J. The twelve gates are identified with the twelve tribes of Israel, and the twelve foundations with the 12 Apostles (see Eph. 2:20). Including the tribe of Levi, there were actually thirteen tribes; and, including Paul, there were thirteen Apostles. When John listed the tribes in Rev 7, both Dan and Ephraim were omitted, perhaps indicating that we should not press these matters too literally. John is simply assuring us that all of God’s believing people will be included in the city (Heb. 11:39-40).
Illustration 3:
I cannot tell you all the details here, but the New Jerusalem will be the capital city of heaven. It is seen “coming down from heaven” indicating it has already existed, but it descends into the new heavens and new earth from its place on high. This is the city where the redeemed will live, the “Father’s house with many mansions (Jn. 14:1-3). The dazzling city’s measurement reveals a solid cube of golden construction 12,000 furlongs (1500 miles), length, width, and height. This would be 2,250,000 square miles on each tier of a cube extending 1500 miles upward, like a huge skyscraper with innumerable floors. If placed in the US it would reach from New York City to Denver, Colorado, and from Canada to Florida. Very huge land area.
III. Other important New Things
A. There, in the “New Jerusalem,” we shall each have “a new name” (Rev. 2:17)
B. We will sing “a new song” (Rev. 5:9; 14:3; 15:3).
C. We shall have new bodies, “fashioned like unto His glorious body” (Phil. 3:21),
D. The tree of life (Rev. 22:2). After Adam and Eve sinned and was driven from Eden, the tree of life was not mentioned anymore. In the New Jerusalem the tree of life reappears to bloom and blossom as never before.
E. No night in the New Jerusalem. The night stands for such things as darkness, sin, hiding, suffering, fear, anxiety, and mystery. The sun and the moon will never be
needed for the radiant glory of God will illuminate the city. All will be bright with His light. No need to sleep. (Rev. 22:5)
F. What will we do in heaven for all eternity? Certainly, we shall praise the Lord, but we shall also serve Him. “His servants shall serve Him” (Rev 22:3) is a great encouragement to us, for in heaven our service will be perfect. As we seek to serve the Lord here on earth, we are constantly handicapped by sin and weakness; but all hindrances will be gone when we get to glory. Perfect service in a perfect environment! What will this service be? We are not told, nor do we need to know now. It is sufficient that we know what God wants us to do today. Our faithfulness in life prepares us for higher service in heaven. In fact, some students think that we shall have access to the vast universe and perhaps be sent on special missions to other places. But it is useless to speculate, because God has not seen fit to fill in the details.
G. Not only shall we be servants in heaven, but we shall also be kings. We shall reign forever and ever! This speaks of sharing Christ’s authority in glory. As believers, we are seated with Christ in the heavenlies today (Eph. 2:6); but in the eternal state, we shall reign (Rev. 22:5) as kings over the new heavens and earth. What an i honor! What grace!
H. Certainly, many interesting questions could be asked about our future abode in heaven, but most must go unanswered until we reach our glorious home. In fact, John closed His book by reminding us that we have responsibilities today because we are going to heaven.
Illustration/Application
The coming of a new year is a good time to consider that glorious time to come when Christ will make everything new again. In the present age, all things “shall wax old as doth a garment” (Hebrews 1:11) under the bondage of the universal law of decay and death; indeed “the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now” (Romans 8:22). “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new Earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13).
And all the old and dying things will be completely and forever gone. “There shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Rev. 21:4). “And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isa. 35:10).
What a “Happy New Year” that will be! In the meantime, we have His “new covenant” and have each been made “a new creature” in Christ (Heb. 12:24; Gal. 6:14). Since all His words “are true and faithful,” we know His promises are sure. Therefore, already, “old things are passed away; behold all things are become new” through faith in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17).
IV. Conclusion:
Surely, the Lord Jesus Christ will make all things new. My question is will you there to enjoy all the things that He has prepared for all the redeemed. Repent from your sins now and receive Him as your personal Saviour. It’s the best decision you will ever make in your life.
