The Old and New Heavens



"...We are aware that there is a difference of opinion among even our most enlightened brethren in regard to the application of this, as well as many other portions of the book of Revelation, particularly in regard to the period to which these portions refer. Some have understood this passage to refer to the gospel state of the church in the primitive age; others have thought it applicable to a state of primitive purity to which the church shall be restored before the dissolution of the world, while others again have regarded the language as descriptive of the final triumphant state of the church, after the resurrection of the dead. But while these differences have been held and expressed without giving the least offense, or disturbing the fellowship of brethren, all experimental christians have agreed in applying this Scripture to the church of the living God; and in understanding the striking and beautiful imagery as expressive and illustrative of the distinguishing doctrine of the gospel.

Without any design to controvert the view of any brother, we will simply present such views, imperfect though they may be, as the subject suggests to our mind, and leave our readers to examine and receive or reject them, as their judgment may dictate. To us, the new heaven and the new earth which John saw, is the same which he also calls the holy city, the New Jerusalem, and both figures mean the church of Christ under the gospel dispensation..."

Elder Gilbert Beebe, Circa 1855

"...18 This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.
19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;
20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;
21 To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
22 When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
23 He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.
24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.
25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. 26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:
27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
28 The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee..." Ps 102:18-28.

8 "...For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off..." Isa 55:8-13.

17 "...For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.
20 There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. ..." Isa 65:17-20.


In The Kingdom of God's Dear Son, Christ translates His children from nature's darkness into the light and glorious liberty of the manifest sons of God through the Spirit. They live, so to speak, in two different realms during their earthly pilgrimage. Being made partakers of the Divine Nature, which is Christ in them, the Hope of Glory, they must yet live in the flesh as men, and also be judged by themselves and others as living (and sometimes walking) after the flesh. (1 Peter 4:6)

They are subjects of A King and His Kingdom. They are not their own; they are bought with a price, even with the precious blood of Christ, their Savior, Priest and King.

The above Scriptures cannot be interpreted in a literal and physical manner for the tried and tempted, and delivered child of God. They are of an experimental nature in the spiritual Life of Christ within them. When one has been truly born of the Spirit, they are in a new world; old things are passing away, and all things are becoming new for them - not in the reality of these (old) things passing away, but in the effectiveness, power and dominion of these (former) things in the new life of the child of God. "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things have passed away, all things have become new" in their experience. They are therefore presently delivered from their former bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the sons of God - not from the actual being and existence of this corruption, but again, from its power to condemn and hold them captive.

Since Christ has died for them, and redeemed them from their sins and the consequence of sin, which is death, and made this known to them personally and individually by faith and through the gospel, they are no longer under their former bondage of sin and death, but have been made alive to The Life of God, which is Christ in them, the Hope of Glory.

When Isaiah penned the above lines by inspiration of the Spirit, he was not speaking and pointing to a day and time when these things would literally and physically take place, or to a time after this present dispensation, when God would usher in yet another dispensation upon earth, and these events would then literally come to pass - much less to that Eternal Inheritance of the saints in Heaven and Immortal Glory, as many think, but was pointing to that experience that would embrace the life of faith in the called of God under the Gospel dispensation.

These new heavens and new earth are not physical or literal establishments, but are principles of divine grace that have been established in the new heart which is created in true holiness to God. That part that has been created in them cannot sin, but is born of God in them , which is Christ in them, the Good Tree and Hope of Glory. They are holy and sanctified unto God through Him. Because He lives, they live also, and the life that they live in the flesh, they live by the faith of Him Who gave Himself for them.

The former things have passed away, and are remembered no more in the sight of God. Again, not actually, for this would deny God's prescience, who knows and sees all things in Time and Eternity, but would remember these things no more against them, as in their former experience, and in their own former apprehension when they were held under the elements of the law of sin and death. Because God's ways are infinitely higher than their ways, and His thoughts than their thoughts, while they may still think evil thoughts concerning themselves and their sins, yet His thoughts are not their thoughts, nor His ways, their ways; for God's thoughts to them are thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give them an expected end according to their Hope and Grace in Christ.

This New Jerusalem is a New Creation. John saw this New Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven, prepared and adorned as a bride for her Husband. This is the same Jerusalem that Paul spoke of in Gal 4:26, which he says "..is free, which is the mother of us all..." That is, all that have been called to grace and glory in this kingdom. This kingdom is denoted as new in distinction to the old (law) dispensation, which at the times of the Apostles was now waxing old, deteriorating, and therefore ready to vanish away.

These "old heavens" had served their existence in the Purpose of God: There is certainly an evolution in The Creator's "times and seasons": "...These old heavens must and "Shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed.." Ps 102:26. As the ages of time roll on, we have no idea what shall transpire in the physical world, as it is not for us, as with the Apostles to know the "times and seasons", which the Father has put in His Own Sovereign Power. It is His children's blessed providence with these to yet sometimes "tarry at (old) Jerusalem, until they be endued with power from on high not many days hence" - or whenever in God's calling and purpose for them in His Kingdom. The old heaven was a kingdom that was designated by its King to be shaken and rent to the point where it must finally be completely removed, as the children were to receive a new kingdom which could not be removed:

"... Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear..." Heb 12:26-28.


Since Christ, the Son of God, has brought such deliverance to the subjects of this new kingdom there is super-abounding joy therein through His Spirit. He has redeemed them from sin by His Own redemptive work alone, as they were chosen in Him in Eternity. In the time appointed by the Father, He has then sent grace and supplication into their heart with the spirit of adoption, causing them to cry, Abba, Father. He has given them Himself, the Good Hope through grace, that His Grace should be to the praise of God's Glory throughout the succeeding ages of time, and in Heaven and Immortal Glory forever; as they were made acceptable in Him by the Eternal Will of God and through His intercession for them in His redemptive work as their Elder Brother, the Son of man and the Son of God. He, Himself rejoices and praises God through them in this New Jerusalem:

"...I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations..." Ps 108:3 "...Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name..." 2 Sam 22:50. "...And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD..." Ps 27:6

"...My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him. The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever. All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations..." Ps 22:25-28.


All of this has been, as is being accomplished by Christ in the hearts of His people.

The voice of weeping may be, and is heard for a time in the natural, suffering, physical and human life of all the saints of God; but in the manifest glory and deliverance through the Spirit, the fateful consequences of these things cannot destroy or even enter their spiritual Life, for they are dead, and their Life is hid with Christ in God, and when He shall appear, they also appear with Him in glory. Tribulations, pain, want and care cannot take away their Eternal Hope with Peace and Joy in Christ. Every weapon that is formed against them cannot effectively prosper, but is rather working for their good and eternal weight of glory. The very hairs of their head are numbered, so that not one shall fall to the ground with any fortuitous degree of casualty beyond God's protective care and Providence, for though they are worthless within themselves, they are yet cared for by Him Who takes care for a single sparrow and makes His rain to fall upon the just and the unjust alike. There may and will be tears of sorrow during their earthly pilgrimage, but the power of these things are transcended by the power of faith through the presence of their Glorious Comforter and Deliverer, Who works in them both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
"...Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

"...They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes..." Rev 7:15-17.

"... And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new..." Rev 21:3-5.


Under the first or old economy, God visited and dwelled among the people in a physical presence, through outward signs and wonders of darkness, fire, smoke, lightning, thunder, etc. In a comparative way, under the New Jerusalem, Christ indwells His people directly by His Spirit. There were some chosen out of the masses of the Old Dispensation that were indwelt no doubt by the Spirit of Christ, such as David and other Patriarchs who stood as types and anti-types of Christ and His suffering church; but mainly they were yet held under the bondage of the elements of the works or deeds of the Law, which Paul says by which knowledge comes not salvation and deliverance, but rather a curse, as they were commanded to continue in the performance of those commandments unto perfection, which no one can do in the sight of God, being weak through the flesh; Therefore it was necessary in God's Eternal Purpose that a justifying righteousness must be by and through the merits of God Himself as manifested in His Own Son.

God's children are a hungry and thirsty people - not necessarily in a physical sense, but especially from a spiritual standpoint. It is to these hungry and thirsty ones that is given the calling: "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." These commandments and gracious calls are given to those who find themselves in this deprived and afflicted condition, spiritually speaking - they are not for and to the proud and arrogant, and those who do not yet know God and their own depravity and their own inertness in His sight. They are not to the self-sufficient, or the do-it-yourself religionist, but to the poor and needy of Christ's flock. - Still there is a further sense in which they shall never hunger and shall never thirst, and this is because the Lamb that is in the midst of them feeds them, and leads them into living fountains of water. We do not feed those who are not hungry and thirsty, but those who are in need of water and food. These are vital for the natural life of man, and also vital spiritually speaking, for the child of God.

"...And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away..."

I would venture to say that no one except a pure fanatic would teach that there will be any tears in Heaven. - But by a careless reading of this scripture, that would seem to be the case: Because of the popular view of this, the verse should be read 'and there shall be no tears in their eyes"; in fact there is even a popular "gospel" song that says as much: "No tears in Heaven, No tears in Heaven" - Which is true - But how can there be tears to wipe away in Heaven, while at the same time there are no tears found there! The truth of the matter is that the context does not refer to the Eternal Heaven, but to the Gospel heavens where there may be (and are) plenty of tears, but they are all wiped away by Christ and His glorious Presence as our Intercessor and High Priest.

"..And there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.."


We as natural creatures, would (and do) tend to refer this to this present mortal existence compared and contrasted to the final state of the saints in the Immortal Glory. But is this the meaning and illustration of what the Apostle John was shown, but rather was it not to show the comparative glory of the New Jerusalem and that of the former dispensation? Paul says in (2 Tim 1-9) "..Our Saviour Jesus Christ... hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel..." - Now who would believe and teach that physical or corporeal death has been abolished by the coming and redemptive work of Christ? Again, none but a raving fanatic. Although there are many types of deaths spoken of throughout the Scriptures, especially in the New Testament, I do not feel that these various 'deaths' represent a final termination of the physical life of the children of God, but mostly a state of powerlessness, inertness or inactivity upon their part. Again, would it not be superfluous to say that there is no death in Heaven? This would also be true for there being no sorrow or crying, or any more pain. What a fearful apprehension that one could entertain even the possibility that any of these things could ever enter the realms of Eternal Glory! But many do entertain the concept that these things can and do enter the Kingdom of Christ here in earth to the point that they are even able to prevail beyond God's Purpose and to the determent of His Kingdom. Jesus said that "He that lives and believes in me shall never die" The saints may sometimes go to sleep, but they will never die - except for the dissolution of their earthly bodies. As well, they may sorrow for a while, but their joy will come in the morning.

"..Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning..." Ps 30:4-5.


As has been said, the same follows for sorrow and pain in this life. So it is not the actual existence and presence of these grievous afflictions of soul, spirit and body in the saint's lives, but rather of the dominion and prevalence of them over the children's peace is what I think is under consideration.

"...There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed..."


We could again (as some do) apply some of this to Heaven, but what will we do with the remainder. This (contradiction) could be said for the whole context of this passage in Isaiah generally if it referred to other than that of the experience of the saints under the provisions of the Gospel Dispensation. Paul teaches that in the Kingdom of Christ there are no distinctions of gender, race, social or political status or ethnic origins:

"...For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus..." Gal 3:26-28.


And Peter teaches the same:

"...I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.." Acts 10:34-35.


Therefore, the above passages must refer to one's inherent or intrinsic status in the sight of God under Christ. For example, there are many who espouse the doctrine of "progressive holiness" This is not something new in the religious world. Most of the articles of faith of the Presbyterians, Puritans, Reformers, and Baptist Reformed contain some of these same sentiments promoting the idea of a 'personal holiness' of the saints. I would be the first to maintain that there is certainly a growth in Grace and the knowledge of the truth as it is in Christ Jesus in the saints, but growing in grace is certainly different than in growing in some kind of 'personal' holiness. As if we (our fleshly principle) may get better and better in this life. This doctrine and one left to the following of it could be a real incentive to further make one into a self-righteous Pharisee, instead of making them 'more holy'. While we are to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ, we are not expected to grow in any fancied goodness or sanctification of the flesh. After many years in the ministry as an Apostle, Paul wrote that there was still no good thing in himself, that is, in his flesh; and he wrote to the Philippians that he had not reckoned himself to have attained unto the resurrection of the dead, as if he was already perfect, but he followed after that which he was also apprehended of Christ his Lord that he might know Him and the power of His resurrection. I think he meant that he had not considered himself to have reached some kind of plateau of 'sanctification' (as they call it) as many have believed and are yet teaching. The saints, in the sense that I am attempting to explain, are already as holy or sanctified as they ever will be if they be the true children of God, called to grace and glory.

Jude expresses the same truth on this: "..To them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called..." Jude 1:1. Sanctification does not refer to a 'personal holiness', but to a choice and setting aside of instruments and persons in God's ordination and for His Purpose. No person is allowed to usurp the authority of those God has ordained or to put their unauthorized hands upon any of these 'vessels of honor' without the threat of dire consequence of the judgment of God. Look at the examples in the Scriptures. No one but the ordained priests were allowed to even touch any of the sanctified vessels of the ceremonial service. Others directly suffered the judgment of God and were struck by lightning when they made unauthorized sacrifices or when they put unholy hands upon those vessels which typified the Lord Jesus Christ as a Sacrifice, showing that he needed no help from man in accomplishing the work of eternal salvation for and in His people. The perceived unsteady Ark of God needs no help from a fearful Uzza, as God has already carried it, and that miraculously from the land of the Philistines, and He is therefore able and will further maintain His Own cause.

So in Christ's Kingdom, "...There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed..." Isa 65:20. We don't see any 'progressive holiness' here, for there is no distinction (in age and progress) between an infant of a few days old and an old man that is nearing the end of his life. The child-like part in the sinner is that part that has been humbled and converted, and as a little child by nature trusts in its parent or benefactor, so the converted sinner is made to trust in Christ for all, while the depraved and fleshly part remains and being still of its same old nature, but held under subjection and put off by the stronger man (Christ) that has entered and spoiled all the goods and the armor in which the old man trusted. This child and sinner shall not part company until the existence of both dissolve in death. Paul declares that He was (I am) the chief of sinners. (He didn't say that he merely had been the chief of sinners when he formerly persecuted and destroyed the believing people of God.) In the sight of God, all have sinned and come short of His Glory. This great gulf can never be spanned except by miraculous Grace. Sin is the great leveler of all of Adam's posterity. The little child is equal to the old man in this, and vice versa. All in the sight of God must be (not 'get') converted, and become as humble and dependent upon divine grace as a little child feels to be dependent upon its natural benefactor and provider, before they are in a position to truly enter in and appreciate and enjoy the blessings of peace and joy of Christ's spiritual kingdom.

As the old economy was drawing to a close, and the final and literal termination of the old heavens and old earth were approaching during the Apostle's day, Peter was inspired to pen the following for the church of God through the succeeding ages of time, and which I think embraces the main points that I have been going over. The church is not now looking at these things as did the Apostles from their time perspective, because these events that the Apostle were predicting to come to pass were completely fulfilled in their age and were the signs that attended the full ushering in of the glorious Kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
"... But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness..." 2 Peter 3:8-13.

"...In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.

Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee..." Isa 26:1-3.

"...And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever..." Dan 2:44.


April 8, 2004

OAB The New Heavens and New Earth by Gilbert Beebe

The Coming of Christ by Joseph L. Purington

The New Heaven and Earth by Dr. John Owen

The Coming of Christ by James Stuart Russell