When Heaven Comes Down (Rev. 21:1-22:5) What will heaven be like? All things new (Rev. 21:5; Isa.42:9; 43:19; 2 Cor. 5:17) New heavens (Rev. 21:1; Isa. 65:17; 66:22; 2 Pe. 3:13; Ps. 102:25) Is this referring to Heaven being cleansed of Satan & his minions? New earth (Rev. 21:1; Isa. 65:17; 66:22; 2 Pe. 3:13, Ps. 1-2:25) Let thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven … Daily (including through us) Ultimately Kainos {kahee-nos'} gk. Recently made or fresh Renewal/Renovation (Rom. 8:21) and transformation or completely new (ex nihilo – something out of nothing)? Transformation: We are to be made “new creatures”, transformed by the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 5:7; Rom. 12:2; Eph. 4:22-24; Titus 3:5). Will it be “new” in this sense? Eden restored? The “curse” lifted (Zech 14:11) (We Red Sox fans can identify with this one!) We don’t know for sure: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor. 2:9) New Jerusalem, the City of God Is this a place or a people? What will be there? God (Rev. 22:4; Jer. 31:33; 32:38; Ezek. 37:27; 2 Cor. 6:16) And His glory (Rev. 21:22-24) He that overcomes (Rev. 21:7) Resurrected saints
Those written in the Book of Life (Rev. 21:27) God’s servants (Rev. 22:3-4) Note: There will be work to do in Heaven Living water (Rev. 22:1-2; John 4:14; 7:37-38) For those who did thirst after righteousness Tree of Life (Rev. 22:2-3) With healing leaves (Rev. 22:3) Justice (Isa. 65: 21-22) & Peace (Isa. 65:25) What won’t be there? Tears (Rev. 21:4; 7:17; Isa. 25:8), Death (Rev. 21:4; 1 Cor. 15:26), Grief (Rev. 21:4), Crying (Rev. 21:4), Pain (Rev. 21:4) Which are all consequences of the fall (i.e. sin) (Gen. 2:17; 3:16 &19; James 1:14-16) Anything profane (Rev. 21:27) Anything vile (Rev. 21:27) Anything false (Rev. 21:27) The sea (Rev. 21:1) A tool for judgment (the flood, storms, etc.) A reason for separation A place of mystery (unfathomable) Night (Rev. 22:5) All things will be made clear (i.e. no more confusion, uncertainty, etc.) The Mark upon the forehead The mark of salvation As opposed to the mark of an outcast (think Cain)