by Dorcas Kulwa | 27 August 2021 08:46 am08
NEW HEAVENS AND A NEW EARTH (Part 2)
As we saw in Part 1, when God created the world, it experienced cycles of destruction and restoration. The current creation is still in a fallen state, awaiting a final judgment. Scripture tells us that this ultimate destruction will not be by water, as in Noah’s time, but by fire—a purifying judgment that will prepare the universe for its final renewal.
2 Peter 3:6-7 (ESV):
“…by which the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.”
God’s purpose in this final act is not destruction for its own sake. After removing all wickedness, He will restore the earth to a state of glory, comparable to the original Eden. This restoration will make it ready for Jesus Christ to reign visibly on earth with His saints, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, during the thousand-year reign described in Revelation.
During this millennial kingdom:
The world will be a place of peace, justice, and righteousness.
Human lifespans will increase dramatically, reminiscent of pre-Flood longevity, with people living hundreds of years. Even a person who reaches 100 years will be considered “young.”
Isaiah 65:20 (NIV):
“Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; the one who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere child; the one who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed.”
People will engage in productive work—building houses, planting crops—without fear of theft or destruction.
Nature itself will be transformed: predatory animals will be peaceful, and children will safely interact with creatures that were once dangerous. (Isaiah 65:21-25)
This restoration is not just physical but moral and spiritual. Though wicked people will still exist, sin will not dominate because Satan will be bound:
Revelation 20:2-3 (NIV):
“He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.”
During this reign, righteousness and holiness will characterize society. God’s saints will experience unprecedented peace, justice, and joy. This period is often called the Millennial Kingdom, a fulfillment of prophecies in both the Old and New Testaments, showing God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises and His plan to restore creation.
For an in-depth study on the thousand-year reign, visit >> https://wingulamashahidi.org/2019/05/30/utawala-wa-miaka-1000/
After the thousand years, Scripture says Satan will be briefly released to deceive the nations once more. Those who rebel will surround the camp of the saints, but God will intervene: fire will come down from heaven, and the enemies will be completely destroyed. Satan, along with the beast and the false prophet, will be cast into the lake of fire to face eternal judgment.
Revelation 20:7-10 (ESV):
“And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them. And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
This marks the completion of God’s plan to restore the world. What follows is the creation of the new heavens and a new earth, the eternal dwelling place for God’s people, where righteousness reigns and there is no more death, mourning, or pain.
2 Peter 3:13 (NIV):
“But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. Therefore, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with him.”
In Part 3, we will explore in detail how this new heavens and new earth will come to be and what life will be like for God’s people in eternity.
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