We now get to see the new heaven and the new earth. We do not know exactly what this will mean, but we should focus on what we are clearly told, and the first thing is that it will be new. Now one might wonder why a new heaven is needed, a new earth makes sense, but a new heaven? It could be referring to a complete transformation of the relationship between heaven and man, or to the fact that there will be no more war with demons for they will have been thrown into the fire forever. We may also wonder why the sea is said to pass away. We need to remember that the sea represented separation and danger.
The new Jerusalem comes down from heaven. It is prepared by God and made ready as the bride of Christ. So God is preparing the church for Christ. The new Jerusalem would seem to consist of God's people, purified and holy, rather than any emphasis on a physical place.
The importance of people is emphasised on verse 3 where there is the declaration that God's dwelling is now with the people. "I will be their God and they will be my people" is the oft repeated promise in the Old Testament. Now it is fulfilled.
There will be an end to all sorrow and pain and death. In this life we receive a degree of comfort and healing from God, one day that healing will be complete. The old order of things will have passed away. If we are to understand life today we need to appreciate that it is temporary. Whatever we are going through just now, good or bad, is temporary. This does not mean that it doesn't matter, it does, but we need to have an eternal perspective.
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