A New Heaven and New Earth

When we come to Revelation chapter 22, we see a new heaven and a new earth. There is not much description of this new heaven and earth. But we know what came out from the old creation, the New Jerusalem. The difference between God's eternal plan and what we have now, is a people.

A people who came out of the old creation and entered into the new. They may have new bodies, but the new life that they have was already given to them when they were saved in the old creation.

2Cor 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

It seems to say that when we are born again, we are part of this new heaven and new earth. Although in time, we are still in the old creation, but in spiritual reality we already are part of this new creation.

Another way of presenting this reality is that we have a deposit. We have a small portion but definitely an actual portion of this newness in us. So for christians we are to guard this thing, this treasure in us. Don't bury it in the world as though it does not exist, but live in this new reality. It will definitely bear fruit. The fruit is also not of the old creation but of the new. An enlargement of this new heaven and new earth in us, and in others that have been touch by us.

If we continue to build that which is of the old creation, no matter how big, how magnificent, how successful it is, it will all be burn by fire. The disciples marvel and glory in the old temple of stone during Jesus time. Surely they thought, the magnificence and glory of this temple is glorifying God. But the Lord said, not one stone will be left standing. The Lord's interest is in the actual temple, not just the symbolic one.

1Cor 3:10 But each one should be careful how he builds.

So we should take this instruction seriously. Build that which is eternal. Whether in our individual lives, or corporately, the focus must be on the real Jesus Christ in our lives through the Holy Spirit. More of Himself in our lives, which is the gold, the precious stones, and the pearl.