Part 6. The New Heaven and New Earth

1. Summary of the Book’s Key Points

Pastor Randy Alcorn explains the concept of the “New Heaven and New Earth,” emphasizing that it is not merely a replacement for the current heaven but rather a completely new creation of God’s kingdom. The final state of heaven, referred to as the New Heaven and New Earth, is not just a restoration of the current creation but signifies a totally new creation. This reflects God’s promise to renew the world, corrupted by sin and the fall, and create a place where God and His people can dwell together forever.

In Isaiah 65:17, God declares, "See, I will create new heavens and a new earth." This signifies a world entirely different from the original creation—a completely new creation. In this New Heaven and New Earth, there will be no more pain, sorrow, or death, and everything will return to the perfect state that God originally intended. In Revelation 21:1, the Apostle John describes seeing a "new heaven and a new earth," where the old order has passed away, and a new creation is established. This new creation represents a perfect state where God will dwell with His people forever, making everything new (p. 181-195).

Pastor Alcorn emphasizes that the New Heaven and New Earth are not merely an extension of the world we live in but a completely new creation by God. The crucial point here is that God is not just repairing or restoring this world; He is creating it anew. In this new creation, sin and death will no longer exist, and God's perfect rule and peace will endure eternally. The scene of the New Jerusalem descending from heaven symbolizes the perfect communion between God and His people, where they will eternally enjoy His glory (p. 196-200).

2. Central Message

The New Heaven and New Earth represent the ultimate fulfillment of God's salvation. This is a completely new creation, distinct from the current heaven, where everything is made new, and God reigns eternally. The hope of the New Heaven and New Earth strengthens our faith and gives us the power to overcome all the difficulties we face in our present lives. In this new creation, we will dwell with God forever, praising His glory in a perfect state free from sin and suffering.

The hope of the New Heaven and New Earth not only strengthens our faith but also guides how we live our lives today. This hope is not just something for the future; it profoundly impacts our current lives, prompting us to consider how we should live for God now. The perfect creation that God has planned is our ultimate destination, where we will experience perfect peace and joy (p. 201-205).

3. Our Application

We should live our present lives with the hope of the New Heaven and New Earth. This hope gives us the strength to transcend all the difficulties and sufferings we encounter, solidifying our expectation of the eternal life that God has promised. As we strive to fulfill God's will on this earth, we should look forward to the time when we will dwell with Him forever in the New Heaven and New Earth.

In anticipating the New Heaven and New Earth, we should view our earthly lives as temporary and live with an eternal perspective. We should align our decisions and actions with the hope of eternally residing in the new creation that God will bring forth. Moreover, we must share this hope with others. The hope of the New Heaven and New Earth is not just a personal expectation but the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan for the entire world. We are called to spread God’s love and salvation, helping others to share in the eternal life that awaits in the New Heaven and New Earth (p. 206-210).

As we hope for the New Heaven and New Earth, this hope should transform our lives and lead us to live in a way that glorifies God. We should view our earthly lives from an eternal perspective, dedicating ourselves to fulfilling God's plans and purposes. Looking forward to the eternal life in the New Heaven and New Earth, we should fill our current lives with worship that honors God and commit ourselves to spreading His love.