The New Heaven and the New Earth

.... After the Great Day of the Lord and the final judgment, the Lord will wipe away every tear from our eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. And there shall be no more pain, for the former things will have passed away. (Revelation 21:4).

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.... And now the vision of mankind’s eternal destiny with God unfolds:

.... "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God."

(Revelation 21:1-3)

.... Please notice that even now, the tabernacle of God is with man on the earth, rather than being in heaven, in the new city that descends from heaven: New Jerusalem. This is a city with twelve founda- tions, named for the twelve apostles, and twelve gates of pearl, named for the twelve tribes of Israel (from which we obtain the phrase ‘the pearly gates’). But the really important understanding is that the Lord God Almighty is there, and the Lamb, and their glory illuminates the city as a light (Revelation 21:22-23). And thus we shall ever be with the Lord.

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.... Furthermore, in this far distant glimpse into our future, it is interesting to note that nations will still exist on the earth:

.... "And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life."

(Revelation 21:24-27)

.... From the throne of God and of the Lamb flows a pure river, that those who wish may drink of the water of life freely (Revelation 21:6). On either side of the river grows the tree of life, bearing 12 types of fruit, each in its season. And the leaves of the trees are for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:2).

.... "Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power."

(1 Corinthians 15:24)

.... In many ways, the last chapter of the last book of the Bible (the Book of Revelation) is a mirror image to the first chapter of the first book, Called the Book of Genesis. Throughout the toil of the ages, God has pursued the course that would restore His fellowship with mankind through Jesus Christ alone, that Jesus might be all in all, and that He may be glorified in His Son.

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Congratulations, you have now completed the Basic Discipleship Course! Please continue reading your Bible through the rest of the New Testament, then read the four gospels and the Book of Acts a second time. After that, please return to Genesis and read the entire Bible straight through.

.... Through this you will have the academic background you need to become a strong Christian, but your most important lessons will be learned in walking with Christ and applying the things you’ve learned. Through seeking Him and abiding in Him, as He changes your life into His image, may you bring forth fruit to eternal life, to His glory! Amen.