INTRODUCTION
REVELATION 21:1-8
Eternity is unveiled in chapter 21: a new heaven, a new earth, a New Jerusalem, a new era, and the eternal abode of the Lamb's bride where we will be new creations in Christ Jesus without the old nature that manifests itself so much today.
The heavens and the earth, which will be destroyed by fire (Matt. 24:35, 2Peter3:7,10,13), will be replaced. From Genesis 1:8 and 2 Peter 3:5, we are given to understand that it is probable that only our planet's atmosphere and crust surface will be burned and replaced. As there will be no more sea, the crust will be mostly levelled out and the rivers will flow into shallow lakes where the water will evaporate for recycling.
After this, John sees the holy city, the New Jerusalem descending from heaven, from God (not from the new heavens): this is our mother, or Motherland of all the saints which is at present situated in heaven, also called the city and the paradise of God, to which we already belong, awaited in ancient times by such as Abraham (Gal.4:26, Heb.11:10,13-16, 12:22-24, Rev.2:7, 3:12.). Just as it is customary to give the name of a city to its citizens (Rev.3:12), so the New Jerusalem, i.e. its citizens, is called the bride, or wife, of the Lamb. They include all those who have been redeemed by Him, not only the Church, but also the saints of the Old Testament, of the tribulation and of the millennium. This is My Father's house, containing many mansions of which the Lord Jesus spoke to His disciples (John 14:2). It will descend from heaven to earth, lovingly adorned as a bride going to meet her husband.
A great voice from the throne declares that this is the tabernacle of God with men, a reference to the tabernacle (a portable temple) built by Moses, by means of which the glory of God revealed itself to the people of Israel (Exo.40:34-38). With the coming of the New Jerusalem, God will dwell with men: the curse upon the earth will have ended with the destruction of the first things (Gen.3:17), also the effect of sin on humanity, for they shall be his people, thus ending the cause of all sorrow, pain and death.
The Lord Jesus sits on the throne (Rev.20:11) and declares that He makes all things new (2Cor.5:17) , and tells John to write all this because these words are true and faithful: in this way He reassures us of the reality of this prophecy, which is therefore to be taken literally.
He then sends a message which is for our own times: He, who is the beginning and the end (The Father of Eternity - Isaiah 9:6), has already done all: He gives eternal life freely to all those who seek it, and the overcomer (1 John 5:4,5) will inherit all these things, will have the Lord Jesus for God and will be his son. But those who remain in their sin will receive their part in the second death, the lake of fire and brimstone.
The "cowardly" are not those who are fainthearted in their faith or who sometimes doubt or question, but those who turn back from following God. They are not brave enough to stand up for Christ; they are not humble enough to accept His authority over their lives. They are put in the same list as the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the liars, the idolaters, the sexually immoral, and those practising magic arts.
All Things Made New
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.
2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "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.
4 "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."
5 Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."
6 And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.
7 "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.
8 "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
Rev 21:1-8 (NKJV)