A New Heaven, A New Earth—God’s Beautiful Future for Us (Revelation 21:1–27)
Have you ever wondered what the future holds? The last chapters of the Bible give us a powerful picture of what’s coming—not more pain, not more sorrow, but something completely new and beautiful. In Revelation 21, we get a glimpse of God’s final promise: a brand-new world filled with joy, peace, and God’s presence forever.
Let’s take a look at what this amazing chapter tells us about our future with God.
A New Heaven and a New Earth
John, the writer of Revelation, describes a vision he received from God:
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.”
This means that one day, God will make everything new. The broken world we live in—filled with war, disease, pain, and death—will be gone. In its place will be a fresh, perfect world where everything is made right.
And something else is missing too:
“There was no longer any sea.”
In ancient times, the sea often represented danger or chaos. So, John is saying the chaos will be gone. There will be peace.
God Will Live With His People
John sees a beautiful city called the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven. It’s not just a city—it’s God coming to live with His people.
“Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will live with them.”
This is one of the most powerful promises in all the Bible. God isn’t far away or hidden. In the new heaven and new earth, He will live with us—and we will be His people.
Even more amazing:
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.”
Can you imagine a world with no more sorrow? No hospitals. No funerals. No fear. Just joy, life, and peace forever.
God Says, “I Am Making Everything New”
God speaks directly and clearly:
“I am making everything new!”
This isn’t just a small change—it’s a total transformation. And God invites everyone to be part of it:
“To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.”
Anyone who wants to come to God can come. It’s a free gift. He offers eternal life to anyone who believes and follows Him.
But God also reminds us that those who reject Him and live only for themselves will not share in this new world. This is a serious warning, but it also shows how God values truth, justice, and holiness.
The Beautiful City
An angel shows John a close-up view of the New Jerusalem—the holy city where God’s people will live. It’s described with incredible beauty:
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It shines with God’s glory like a sparkling jewel.
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It has high walls and twelve gates, representing the twelve tribes of Israel.
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It has twelve foundations, each named after the apostles.
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The city is perfectly shaped—a cube, symbolizing completeness and holiness.
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The walls are made of jasper, and the city is made of pure gold.
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Precious stones decorate the foundations, and the gates are made of pearls.
This isn’t just about fancy buildings—it shows that this city is valuable, pure, and perfectly designed by God. It’s home for God’s people.
God Is the Light of the City
One of the most amazing things about the New Jerusalem is that:
“I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.”
That means we won’t need a special place to meet with God—He will be everywhere, and we’ll be with Him always.
And there’s no need for a sun or moon:
“The glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.”
Jesus Himself lights up the whole city!
Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life will enter the city. This reminds us that salvation through Jesus is the only way to be part of this wonderful future.
Final Thoughts
Revelation 21 gives us an incredible picture of what God has planned for those who love Him:
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A new world with no pain or sorrow.
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A personal relationship with God, face to face.
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A beautiful home full of light, peace, and joy.
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A future where everything broken is made whole again.
This is not a fairy tale. It’s a real promise. And it’s open to anyone who puts their trust in Jesus.
Revelation 21:1-27 (WEB)
21:1 I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, and the sea is no more. 2 I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. 3 I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with people; and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more. The first things have passed away.”5 He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” He said, “Write, for these words of God are faithful and true.” 6 He said to me, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give freely to him who is thirsty from the spring of the water of life. 7 He who overcomes, I will give him these things. I will be his God, and he will be my son. 8 But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”9 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls which were loaded with the seven last plagues came, and he spoke with me, saying, “Come here. I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” 10 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, 11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 12 having a great and high wall with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. 13 On the east were three gates, and on the north three gates, and on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.15 He who spoke with me had for a measure a golden reed to measure the city, its gates, and its walls. 16 The city is square. Its length is as great as its width. He measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand twelve stadia. Its length, width, and height are equal. 17 Its wall is one hundred forty-four cubits, by the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. 18 The construction of its wall was jasper. The city was pure gold, like pure glass. 19 The foundations of the city’s wall were adorned with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire; the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls. Each one of the gates was made of one pearl. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.22 I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city has no need for the sun or moon to shine, for the very glory of God illuminated it and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 The nations will walk in its light. The kings of the earth bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. 25 Its gates will in no way be shut by day (for there will be no night there), 26 and they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it so that they may enter. 27 There will in no way enter into it anything profane, or one who causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.