Chapter Twelve - The Eternal State
1. INTRODUCTION
In the closing chapters of the book of Revelation there are eight distinct visions, all clearly indicated by the words "And I saw." These visions are evidently in chronological sequence, and they reach their consummation in the new heaven and new earth.
2. ETERNITY
Read Revelation 21:1-8. The eighth prophetic vision introduces eternity, and occupies the first eight verses of Revelation 21. Everything contrary to the holy mind of God will then be removed, and a sinless era will dawn.
The "new" heaven and "new" earth do not necessarily indicate another heaven and earth. Peter states that at the time of the flood "the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished" (2 Peter 3:6). The planet survived, however, but was purges from its wicked inhabitants. Then, too, although Christian is described as "a new man," he is not exactly another man, but is new in the sense that he is regenerated by the Spirit of God. Now Peter describes the cataclysmic process by which this vast cosmic change will be effected (2 Peter 3:10-13). The atmospheric, or lower, heavens, as well as this planet, will be dissolved and vastly altered, but not annihilated. It will survive, but will be completely remade. Thus it will provide a perfectly adapted environment for the citizens of eternity.
Readers should note that in Isaiah's two references to the new heavens and earth (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22) the Millennium is clearly in view, whereas Revelation 21:1 refers to the post-millennial conditions. The probable explanation is that although the new heavens and earth begin morally at the beginning of Christ's kingdom, they do not actually begin until the dawn of eternity. An illustration of this is found in the fact that while the Christian is spiritually made a new creature now (2 Corinthians 5:17), he will not receive his new body until Jesus comes.
The statement that there will be no more sea should probably be taken literally. The future earth will be vastly different from the present one. The Millennium will be earth's regeneration (Matthew 19:28); the eternal state, its resurrection.
There are three spheres that are eternal:
The new heaven;
The new earth; and
The lake of fire.
3. THE NEW HEAVEN
This will be the home of all the heavenly saints, that is, all who have shared in the first resurrection. These saints are identified with the New Jerusalem, the Holy City, to which other Bible passages have already alluded (Galatians 4:26; Hebrews 11:10, 13-16; 12:22; Revelation 3:12). Because it is described as a bride, it suggests Christ's Church (2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:25-32), which will probably characterize the city. This city is not material, but symbolic, suggesting delightful association, fellowship, and spiritual intercourse. The pilgrim Church will have finished her long pilgrimage through the desert, and at least will be settled in deepest rest and satisfaction in the presence of her Husband - Lord. "Bride" suggests love, and "husband" suggests relationship and protection.
4. THE NEW EARTH
Just as the new heavens will be the home of the heavenly saints, the new earth will be the eternal home of the masses who will emerge from the millennial kingdom. These two companies, though closely related, will nevertheless be distinct. National differences will disappear, and God will dwell with men as men, for all will enjoy the same social and spiritual fellowship and the same measure of acceptance.
Scripture is silent on a number of questions that may arise, but enough is stated to assure us that the righteousness that suffers today, and which will reign in the Millennium (Psalm 72:2; Isaiah 32:1), will ultimately dwell in the eternal state (2 Peter 3:13).
"The tabernacle of God" will be with men, and He will joy over them with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). All distance will be permanently removed. And because evil will be completely banished, all the hideous by-products of sin - sorrow, pain, and death - will disappear. God and men will forever abide in holy and happy concord. Sin will never again breach this fellowship.
5. THE LAKE OF FIRE
"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (Revelation 21:8).
Originally prepared for those rebel spirits, the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41), the lake of fire is God's fearsome prison where His wrath will ceaselessly burn. This is not remedial but retributive punishment, and will permanently abide on every creature, whether angelic or human, who has resisted His authority. But will not men, after having tasted of the divine "indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish" (Romans 2:8, 9) ultimately turn penitently to God and thus be delivered from such a doom? The answer is "No." Character is permanent. "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still" (Revelation 22:11). The Lord Jesus predicted weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 8:12), the latter suggesting defiance. Hell is not a reformatory, it is a prison-house.
Scripture describes this prison as a "place of torment" (Luke 16:28) where the impenitent suffer punishment that is both conscious and eternal. Both of these features are denied by certain false cults. The annihilationist contends that the words "death" and "destruction" signify extinction, while the universalist advocates the ultimate rescue and reconciliation of all, however wicked. But it is clear that the term "death" in Scripture never means cessation of existence. If it did, then how would such an experience as "the second death" be possible? Rather, it signifies the idea of separation (Luke 15:24; Ephesians 2:1; 1 Timothy 5:6). Physical death is separation of body and spirit (James 2:26); spiritual death is man's alienation from God through sin (1 John 3:14); the second death is eternal separation in the lake of fire.
The words "destroy" or "destruction" never indicate annihilation, but have the force of "to mar or ruin, as regards the purpose for which the thing exists." The word translated "destroy" is rendered "perish" in John 3:16, and for the perishing of the bottles in Matthew 9:17. It is senseless to conclude, when Jesus said to His foes, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" (John 2:19), that He was challenging them to annihilate Him! Destruction is not loss of being, but loss of well-being. That battered hulk lying on the bottom of the ocean is not out of existence, but, having been bombed and sunk, is destroyed.
The words of Christ in John 3:36 are the unanswerable refutation of both universalism and annihilationalism. The disbeliever "shall not see life"; this closes the door to his ultimate deliverance. Moreover, "the wrath of God abideth on him." His eternal existence is therefore a necessity.
Throughout eternity, therefore, these three spheres will constantly proclaim both the absolute righteousness and absolute love of God. How extremely important it is to be saved by the grace of God through the only Saviour's precious blood! "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR FURTHER STUDY
Charles J. Woodbridge - Bible Prophecy (Moody Bible Institute).
Tatham, C. Ernest - Bible Prophecy (Emmaus Bible College).
James A. Stahr - The Book of Daniel (Emmaus Bible College).
Anderson, Sir Robert - The Coming Prince (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications).
Pentecost, J. Dwight - Things to Come (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing Co. 1961).
Epp, Theodore H., compiler - Brief Outlines of Things to Come (Moody Press 1952).
Feinberg, Charles Lee - Israel in the Spotlight (Moody Press 1975).
Smith, Wilbur Moorhead - Egypt in Biblical Prophecy (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House 1957).
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