21:1 And {1} I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
(1) Now follows the second part of the history prophetic of the future estate of the Church in heaven after the last judgment, to Re 21:2 - Re 22:5. In this are two things briefly declared. The station, seat, or place of it, Re 21:1. Then her state and condition, in the verses following. Before the state of the Church described, is set down the state of the whole world, that there shall b
21:1 The New Jerusalem
SUMMARY OF REVELATION 21:
The New Heaven and New Earth. The Bride, the Lamb's Wife. The City Coming Down Out of Heaven. Its Walls, Gates, Foundation. The City of Gold and Gates of Pearl. The Light of the City. Its Holiness.
I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The Scriptures both of the Old and New Testament point to the destruction of the old earth when the Lord comes to judgment. See 2Pe 3:10. It is to undergo a purification and a renewal to fit it for the home of the saints in glory. The old heavens and earth, which I understand to comprehend the old world and its order, so sadly out of joint, pass away at the time of the great judgment, and the old state of things shall be succeeded by a new order, both physical and moral.
And there was no more sea. And the sea is no more (Revised Version). Whether this is to be understood literally, or whether it means that there shall be no barriers between the peoples, such as the sea interposes, is not certain.
21:1 And I saw - So it runs, Rev 19:11, 20:1,4,11, in a succession. All these several representations follow one another in order: so the vision reaches into eternity. A new heaven and a new earth - After the resurrection and general judgment. St. John is not now describing a flourishing state of the church, but a new and eternal state of all things. For the first heaven and the first earth - Not only the lowest part of heaven, not only the solar system, but the whole ethereal heaven, with all its host, whether of planets or fixed stars, Isai 34:4 Matt 24:29. All the former things will be done away, that all may become new, verse s 4,5, 2Peter 3:10,12. Are passed away - But in the fourth verse it is said, are gone away. There the stronger word is used; for death, mourning, and sorrow go away all together: the former heaven and earth only pass away, giving place to the new heaven and the new earth.
21:1-8 The new heaven and the new earth will not be separate from each other; the earth of the saints, their glorified, bodies, will be heavenly. The old world, with all its troubles and tumults, will have passed away. There will be no sea; this aptly represents freedom from conflicting passions, temptations, troubles, changes, and alarms; from whatever can divide or interrupt the communion of saints. This new Jerusalem is the church of God in its new and perfect state, the church triumphant. Its blessedness came wholly from God, and depends on him. The presence of God with his people in heaven, will not be interrupt as it is on earth, he will dwell with them continually. All effects of former trouble shall be done away. They have often been in tears, by reason of sin, of affliction, of the calamities of the church; but no signs, no remembrance of former sorrows shall remain. Christ makes all things new. If we are willing and desirous that the gracious Redeemer should make all things new in order hearts and nature, he will make all things new in respect of our situation, till he has brought us to enjoy complete happiness. See the certainty of the promise. God gives his titles, Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, as a pledge for the full performance. Sensual and sinful pleasures are muddy and poisoned waters; and the best earthly comforts are like the scanty supplies of a cistern; when idolized, they become broken cisterns, and yield only vexation. But the joys which Christ imparts are like waters springing from a fountain, pure, refreshing, abundant, and eternal. The sanctifying consolations of the Holy Spirit prepare for heavenly happiness; they are streams which flow for us in the wilderness. The fearful durst not meet the difficulties of religion, their slavish fear came from their unbelief; but those who were so dastardly as not to dare to take up the cross of Christ, were yet so desperate as to run into abominable wickedness. The agonies and terrors of the first death will lead to the far greater terrors and agonies of eternal death.
