“…We, according to His promise; look for new heaven and new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness “2 Pet 3:13.
So what is this new Heaven and New earth that we expecting or supposed to be looking forward to, that is the world that is to come.
Let us first of all understand that, the coming into being of the New heavens and Earth is as a result of the dissolution of the former heaven – the elements thereof and the earth and the works therein through the revelation of the day of the Lord. Verses 11-12.
Now, Peter took his quotation in the Scripture above about the “New heaven and earth” from Isa 65:17; 66:22. And Miclintock and Strong’s Cyclopedia (Vol.. 10 PP 122-127) commenting on this verse indicates that a new heaven and new earth signify “a new government, new kingdom and new people”.
Well of course, this is the truth of what Peter himself was portraying. For we already know that the earth speaks of a society of people (Ps 96:1) and heaven a ruling power of government over such earth. This is made plain when we discover that Isaiah’s prophecy of a new heaven and earth deals firstly with the restoration of Israel to their homeland from the captivity of Babylon, under the governorship of Zerubbabel (a descendant of David) and Joshua, High priest at the city of Jerusalem. Through these individuals God was once again directing and supervising His subjects. (See Hag 1:1, 14.) Resulting in Jerusalem becoming a cause for joyfulness, and her people a cause for exultation even as the record says
“Therefore the redeemed of the LORD, (from captivity) shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head; they shall obtain gladness and joy; and SORROW and MOURNING (of the influence of captivity) SHALL FLEE AWAY …that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundation of the earth; and say unto Zion (the church). Thou art my people” (the redeemed). Isa 51:11, 16.
In other words, God now have a new generation of people to Himself from the power of Babylon. Now in Rev 19:1 we read “1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God”:
After what things? After the judgment of Babylon the great, the harlot church system that has kept men bound from following God. Please see Rev 17-18 chapters. I heard a great voice of much people in heaven (do not forget that our abode, citizenship, manner of life is now in heaven. Phil 3:20, Heb 3:1, so the voice is that of the redeemed)
Now, what was the cause of this great voice? It was because, apart from the fall of Babylon, the Lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8) is now standing up again in the midst of His people (Zion, the church) and “with him an hundred forty and four thousand having His Father’s name written in their forehead.. These are they, which were not defiled with women for they are virgins These are they which follow the Lamb withersoever He goeth; THESE WERE REDEEMED FROM AMONG MEN, BEING THE FIRST FRUITS UNTO GOD and to THE LAMB; For thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God (not shall) BY THY BLOOD out of every kindred, and tongue, and people and nations, And hast made us unto our God kings and priest and we shall reign on the earth” Rev 4:1-4; 5:9-10.
To have the Father’s name written in their forehead means they are now having the character and nature of God. 2 Pet 1:1-11). 144,000 is the multiple of twelve, like we have twelve Apostles, twelve manners of fruits from the tree in the midst of the River etc, so twelve multiplied by twelve equals 144, and God counts in Thousands, therefore this is only speaking of the prosperity of God’s Kingdom, so we are talking about the fullness of the kingdom of God.
When we say they are not defiled with women, it simply means they are not corrupted by the teachings of men – daughters of Babylon
Being virgin means they are single eyed unto Christ’s teachings and life, unlike Eve that was corrupted because she could not keep the word spoken to her.
So you see, people of God, it is not Jesus so called second coming that will bring in the “New heaven and New earth” but rather this has been accomplished through the sacrifice of His blood with which we (believers) are redeemed from the slavery of sin, the Adamic nature and religious Babylon.With His resurrection, Christ has been made higher than all other authorities even in the ages to come. Eph1:19-21, Math 28.
Now, through the release of the Spirit of the Father, God is now having a people over whom He is controlling “… as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of God (Rom 8:14,) and these are they who now constitute the “New Jerusalem” (a people).
So, when we read in Rev.12: 1 “And 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.” It is simply that, the former heaven and earth which is the nature of Adam, the wages of sin, and all that is contrary to God’s life should have been dealt with as by fire. For we are told, “the Sea (mankind) gave up the dead which were in it” (those dead in sin and trespasses) and “death and hell” have been” cast into the lake of fire” which is the second death” Rev. 20:13-14. Please read from 1-15.
Those who believe in the finished work of Christ now, have partaken of the first resurrection from the effect of the sins of Adam, and so the second death (lake of fire) have no power over them Rev. 20:5-6. They have been raised with Him into a heavenly life. Eph 2:6 Col 3:1. Therefore, when are we talking of God wiping away all tears from their eyes, no more death neither sorrow, nor crying, “neither shall there be any more pains; for the former things are passed away” Rev. 21:4 It is already a process, that has begun in a people, through the indwelling presence of God, not when Jesus comes again, but rather as He tabernacles with men, “He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and GOD HIMSELF shall be with them and be their God” Rev. 21:3, Cor 6:16. “For this corruption must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. “ Then death is swallowed up in victory” because “The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law” and “The victory is through our Lord Jesus Christ” 1Cor 15:53-57.
So, God’s presence in His shekinah glory, in the midst of His covenant people, nullifying the works of Adam in our systems, is what is wiping away of the tears and sorrow. Because in His presence is fullness of joy Ps 16:11. See Exo. 25:8, Jon 1:14. His presence is to be more real and intensified at the close of the age. Compare Joel 3:17; Zeph 3:13-17, Isa 12:6; 8:8.
And since God’s government has started in and through His people, it shall increase (Isa 9:7) until it fills the whole earth. Dan 2:44. Since, the life of God is what destroys sin and its wages – death. THE 3RD WORLD – THE NEW HEAVEN AND EARTH WHEREIN DWELLETH RIGHTEOUSNESS, IS A GOVERNMENT, A PEOPLE THAT HAVE COME OUT AND ARE SEPARATED UNTO GOD FROM THE PRESENT (2ND) EVIL WORLD THROUGH THE REDEEMING POWER OF THE BLOOD OF JESUS 2Cor 6:1216, Gal 1:4, Eph 1:7.
2 Cor.5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
The word creature in the Greek (ktisis,) means original formation. The idea is, there has never being the type anywhere anytime. It’s completely new and original in formation. This is the world that began in the Holy Spirit right from the day of Pentecost, and will culminate in Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: Amen!
The End.
(c) 2015 – Dr. David O. Ogaga