Wednesday, January 4, 2023

A New Heaven and a New Earth, but Why No More Sea? Revelation 21

 


Revelation 21:1 
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.

 

As discussed previously, God renovates the heavens and the earth by fire, before the new heaven and earth show up.  

This heaven and earth makeover, isn’t the first time, as we saw in our last visit, when we went all the way back to the beginning.

The New Heaven and the New Earth, will be all kinds of awesome—even better than the Millennial Reign.

However, even better than what will be…is what will be, no more. 

We see seven things that are no more in the new heaven and new earth.

The first one mentioned, in Revelation 21:1, is no more sea.

Four more are in verse four. No more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, or pain.

The last two are, no more curse, Revelation 22:3, and no more night, Revelation 21:25, and 22:5.

That means, no more kidnapping, no more child abuse, no more human/sex trafficking. No more rape.

That is what makes me long for, pray for, look for, His return.

Not for the wonderful things it brings, but for the awful things it takes away.

No more, death, sorrow, crying, pain, curse, night...sea.

Wait. What?

All those “no mores” make sense, except the sea.

Why no more sea?

We like the sea.

Some believe that the, sea, in Revelation 21:1 refers only to the sea, from John’s vantage point on the Island of Patmos; the Mediterranean Sea.

Others believe that the statement, there was no more sea, is a figurative reference to there being no more divisions among humanity.

Another view is that it refers to the absence of anything that is perilous, unpredictable, or tumultuous; like the tossing of ocean waves.

Earlier in Revelation thirteen, the beast rose out of the sea, thus some say, no more sea, means that the source of evil is no more.

And, then, there are those, who believe that, there was no more sea, literally means, there was no more sea. The context of the verse uses literal language, and thus, it is likely that, no more sea, literally means, no more sea.

God is not the author of confusion. His letter to us, is not written in riddles. If He wants to use a parable or an allegory, He lets us know. Otherwise, He says what He means, and means what He says.

Okay, fine. But why? Why no more sea? We want a sea. We like the sea.

Perhaps, there will be no more sea, to make room for something better. Remember, Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2.

Think about all those places prepared, from Adam, to you. Now consider that almost 70% of the earth is home to saltwater creatures. Perhaps we’ll need that space, for your new place.

No matter what, when we see, the new heaven, and new earth, we won’t even think about the old sea.

For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. Isaiah 65:17.

Speaking of space, check out what else is coming.

 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 

After a little friendly dialog, the description of the holy city, continues in verses 10-21. She radiates with the glory of God. Is constructed of precious stones, with streets of gold and gates of pearl.

The city is huge. Laid out as a square, the length, breadth, and height, are each, about 1,400 miles. The walls are 216 feet thick.

This city, is about half the size of the entire United States.

The height reaches three times higher than where our space shuttles fly; all the way up, to where spy satellites currently hover.

The first and second heaven, disappear, and the third heaven, (where God currently dwells), descends to the new earth.

 “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. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4.

There will be no temple, no stained glass or Church steeple, no religion, just relationship, with the Lord God and the Lamb. Revelation 21:22.

We won’t need the current atmosphere; all inhabitants of the earth will have new glorified bodies. The earth won’t need light from the sun or moon, for the Lamb is its light, and there will be no more night. Revelation 21:23.

No, we won’t miss the sea, not for a moment, not one salty tear will fall.

Words on this page, or on every page, are not even a drop in the ocean for how wonderful it will be.

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,

Nor have entered into the heart of man

The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

1 Corinthians 2:9

 

“Behold, I make all things new.” Revelation 21:5.

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