Creation: God created the world & a garden in which he placed the first man & woman. The garden was a place of God’s provision and his presence.

Fall: But an enemy came to the garden and caused Adam and Eve to rebel against God. Their rebellion ushered in death and transformed earth into a place of alienation. What started as paradise became enemy-occupied territory.

Redemption: But God has been working in history to bring a total reversal of the consequence of evil, to liberate earth and heaven from bondage to sin and corruption. Consummation/Restoration:

Revelation 21:1-4 The New Heaven and the New Earth v.1. “New heaven and a new earth” – fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy (Isa 65:17) A longing that God would deliver his people from sin and oppression.

God caused “The first heaven and earth passed away” – they were corrupted. “The sea was no more” – the sea represents a chaotic deep, in rebellion against God. It is the source of the Satanic beast (13:1); and the place of the dead (20:13). No trace of evil or resistance to God remains, all will be eliminated by God’s victory.

The New Jerusalem v. 2. “Holy city, the new Jerusalem” – Jerusalem “city of peace” Jerusalem was to be the central community of God’s people. It was to be the center of worship of God. The old city was corrupted by idolatry, rebellion, violence against prophets and Jesus.

A creation and gift of God. – “Coming down out of heaven” 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (Jn 14:3)

“Prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” The dwelling place of God’s people, the bride of the Lamb. “Adorned” The city is made of gold and precious jewels. The bride is adorned by her righteous acts (19:7-8)

v. 3. The dwelling place of God. The separation between the earthly and heavenly has ended. All that is unholy is eliminated by the victory, judgment, and destruction of evil. A place of intimacy with God and community with each other. The bride-city imagery: • Intimacy between God and his people as husband and wife. • Community between the people and the people with God.

A place of loyalty and devotion. They will be his and he will be theirs. God promised to gather Israel from captivity in Babylon, “They shall be my people, and I will be their God.” (Jer 32:38)

God promised an everlasting covenant and restoration of his people to Ezekiel. “My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (Eze 37:27)

v. 4. “He will wipe away every tear” A place untouched by death, mourning, crying, or pain. He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. (Isa 25:8)

“The former things have passed away.” Death, mourning, crying, pain – all former things have passed away.

v. 5. God, “I am making all things new.” The Creator will create new heavens/earth. “these words are trustworthy & true.” God’s power will be revealed, purposes fulfilled.

v. 6. “It is done! Alpha and Omega/Beginning and the end” – God is sovereign.

A place of invitation and grace “I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.” Salvation by grace.

v. 7. A place for the faithful. “The one who conquers” – used in Revelation. Those who hold on to faith. “I will be his God and he will be my son.” Intimacy expressed as father/son.

v. 8. The faithless who remain in sin will suffer a second death in torment. Sin distorted God’s purposes for man. An enemy corrupted the old order. God will defeat the enemy and liberate his people and his creation.