The Revelation

Heaven – A New Heaven and a New Earth
Lesson 36 Bobby Stafford

Heaven – A New Heaven and a New Earth

Introduction (Revelation 21:1–8)
John’s vision of the new heaven and new earth gives every believer hope beyond measure. It assures us that God has prepared an eternal home where pain, sorrow, and death are gone forever, and where those who overcome will dwell in His presence eternally.

The End of the Old and the Beginning of the New
John writes, “I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.” This describes the complete destruction of the physical universe, not a renewal or restoration. The heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat (2 Peter 3:10). When God declares something, it is as certain as if it had already happened. John uses prophetic certainty to describe future events as present reality because God’s promises never fail.

He adds, “There was no more sea.” Throughout Revelation, the sea symbolized separation and suffering. In this new creation, there will be no separation between God and His people. The righteous will enjoy eternal peace, perfect fellowship, and everlasting joy.

The Holy City, New Jerusalem
John sees the holy city, New Jerusalem, descending from heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. The old, physical Jerusalem will no longer exist. The new Jerusalem is spiritual, holy, and eternal. The word “new” in Greek means new in quality, not in time. This city represents a higher existence—a realm far beyond the physical world. Heaven will not be a renovated earth but a completely different dwelling of purity and perfection.
This eternal home is described as a city of beauty and holiness, built by God for His people. Its quality of life surpasses everything we know. It is new in nature, new in glory, and new in every way that reflects the holiness of God.

God Dwelling with His People
John hears a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them.” That one sentence defines the glory of heaven. To be in the direct presence of God forever is the greatest blessing a soul could ever know. In this life, we walk by faith and experience fellowship with God through prayer and worship. In the next life, faith will give way to sight, and we will behold Him face to face.
John confirms this truth in 1 John 3:2, “We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” Every tear will be wiped away, and all sorrow, crying, and pain will cease. Death—the final enemy—will be destroyed forever (1 Corinthians 15:26). The faithful of all ages will rejoice in perfect peace, free from the burdens of sin and the trials of this life.

All Things Made New
The One seated on the throne declares, “Behold, I make all things new.” This means new in quality and perfection, not new in time. The eternal home of the righteous will far surpass anything humanity has ever known. God assures John, “These words are true and faithful.” His promises are certain and trustworthy.
He continues, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.” God, who is eternal, will bring His redemptive plan to completion. The water of life symbolizes eternal satisfaction and fellowship with Him. Jesus made this same promise to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:14), assuring her—and us—that those who come to Him in faith will never thirst again.

The Reward for the Faithful
“He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.” The message of Revelation is one of endurance. To overcome means to remain faithful through temptation, persecution, and hardship. Every letter to the seven churches emphasized overcoming. Those who remain steadfast to the end will receive the crown of life (Revelation 2:10). The faithful will inherit everything God has promised—eternal joy, rest, and unbroken fellowship with Him.

The Fate of the Unfaithful
John concludes this section by warning that “the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars” will have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, the second death. The cowardly are those who allow fear to rule over faith. Jesus taught that anyone who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is unfit for the kingdom of God (Luke 9:62).

The unbelieving include those who never believed and those who once believed but turned away. The immoral, deceitful, and idolatrous are placed alongside murderers because sin always separates from God. Hell is eternal separation from all that is good and holy—a place where hope is gone forever. The greatest torment of the second death is being cut off from God’s presence for eternity.

Call to Action
The call is urgent and personal. Every Christian must live as one who overcomes. We must persevere through trials, resist temptation, and hold fast to the faith that saves. The promise of heaven belongs only to those who remain faithful until death. God still invites us today to come and drink freely of the water of life. Each of us must examine our hearts and ask: Am I living faithfully? Am I prepared to meet the Lord? The eternal home is waiting for those who endure.

Heaven – A New Heaven and a New Earth Sermon Outline:

• Introduction – Revelation 21:1–8 introduces the vision of eternal life and the destruction of the old world.

• I. The End of the Old World

  • The first heaven and earth pass away (Revelation 21:1).

  • Physical creation will be destroyed, not renewed (2 Peter 3:10).

  • The sea—symbol of separation—is no more; all barriers to God are removed.

   

• II. The Holy City, New Jerusalem

  • A spiritual city, holy and pure, prepared by God.

  • “New” means new in quality, not in time.

  • Represents the eternal home of the righteous.

  • Heaven is not a physical restoration but a spiritual dwelling.

   

• III. God Dwelling with His People

  • “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men” (Revelation 21:3).

  • The greatest blessing of heaven is God’s presence.

  • 1 John 3:2 – We will see Him as He is.

  • Every tear wiped away, no death, sorrow, or pain (Revelation 21:4).

  • Death, the last enemy, is destroyed (1 Corinthians 15:26).

   

• IV. All Things Made New

  • “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5).

  • God’s promises are faithful and true.

  • “It is done” – The completion of His eternal plan.

  • The water of life freely offered to those who thirst (John 4:14).

   

• V. The Reward for the Faithful

  • “He who overcomes shall inherit all things” (Revelation 21:7).

  • The faithful remain steadfast and receive the crown of life (Revelation 2:10).

  • Eternal fellowship with God as His children.

   

• VI. The Fate of the Unfaithful

  • The cowardly, unbelieving, immoral, and deceitful are condemned (Revelation 21:8).

  • Cowardice—fear that destroys faith (Luke 9:62).

  • The second death is eternal separation from God.

  • Sin always leads to death; the faithful must overcome.

   

• VII. The Final Appeal

  • Overcome temptation, persecution, and sin.

  • Be faithful unto death to receive the crown of life.

  • Eternal life awaits all who obey the Lord and remain steadfast.

   

Key Takeaways

• God will destroy the present world and create a new, spiritual heaven and earth (Revelation 21:1).

• The faithful will dwell forever in God’s presence, free from sorrow, pain, and death (Revelation 21:3–4).

• Heaven’s blessings are new in quality, spiritual, pure, and eternal (Revelation 21:5).

• Only those who overcome will inherit eternal life (Revelation 21:7).

• The cowardly, unbelieving, immoral, and deceitful will face the second death (Revelation 21:8)

• God’s promises are true and faithful, and His word cannot fail (Revelation 21:5).

Scripture Reference List

• Revelation 21:1–8 – Vision of the new heaven and new earth.

• Matthew 24:35 – Heaven and earth will pass away, but Christ’s words endure.

• 2 Peter 3:10 – The heavens will pass away with a great noise.

• 1 John 3:2 – We shall be like Him and see Him as He is.

• 1 Corinthians 15:26 – The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.

• John 4:14 – The water of life springs up into everlasting life.

• Revelation 2:10 – Be faithful unto death, and receive the crown of life.

• Luke 9:62 – No one who looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.

• Revelation 20:14–15 – Death and Hades cast into the lake of fire.

• Matthew 24:13 – He who endures to the end shall be saved.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO

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