Its important to keep strongly in mind that the bible can apply a literal term figuratively.

Planet earth will remain forever. Please read and meditate on Ecclesiastic 1:4 and Psalm 104:5. The message from these two scriptures is clear about the eternal future of the earth as the eternal home for obedient mankind.

Please note that the word "earth" is used in the bible both literally and figuratively. When used literally, as in the two scriptures cited above, it refers to the planet earth but when used figuratively it refers to people who inhabit the planet earth. Read of the figurative usage in Gen 11: 1 (earth/people speaking language), and Psalm 96:1 (earth/people singing song). It's important to understand which usage (literal or figurative) the bible is referring to when we read any portion of scripture.

Wicked people will eventually be anihilated such that humanity will no longer be comprised of both righteous and wicked people living together as we have it today. Rather we will eventually have only righteous humans living on a paradise planet earth. In that sense, it could be said that we have a "new" earth or new society of human inhabitants. This "old" earth (old human society) where the wicked and righteous coexist will be no more.

In a nutshell, God will never destroy planet earth, it will remain forever and be transformed into a paradise. We are wise to discern and properly understand whether the bible is using the word "earth" literally or figuratively in any bible portion we read. When used literally, it refers to the physical planet earth but when used figuratively it refers to human inhabitants. Hence, the "new earth" will be a new society of human inhabitants comprised mainly of righteous obedient humans, no more will the wicked coexist with the righteous (old earth).

So what is the “NEW HEAVENS” which the bible talks about? It would be a mistake to believe that the physical heavens as we know it today needs to be replaced with new ones as if it has been so badly devastated or totally outdated as to require a replacement with “NEW PHYSICAL HEAVENS”. Or does God’s dwelling place also need a replacement? Far from it!

Understanding the term “NEW HEAVENS” as used in the scriptures depends on appreciating the fact that the bible often speaks in FIGURATIVE terms and certain words that are used literally can also be used in a figurative sense in the scriptures. So when reading any portion of scripture it is very important to find out whether the bible is speaking literally or figuratively so as not to miss the message or misunderstand scripture. For example if Mr A tells Mr B, “I will show you pepper” and Mr B takes it literally that Mr A will bring fresh pepper to show him, he misses the point entirely because what Mr A means is that he will cause mischief, problems and pain for Mr B. So it’s important to discern whether the bible is speaking literally or figuratively in any bible portion we read so as not to misunderstand scripture and miss the message. The context or other related portions of scripture will help us establish this.

In an earlier write-up on this thread, it was explained that the word “earth” is also used figuratively in the bible to refer to people or human inhabitants and as such the “new earth” refers to a new society of righteous human inhabitants. The bible says in Eccl 1 vs 4 and Psalm 104 vs 5 that LITERAL PLANET EARTH will remain forever. Hence, the expression “new earth” is best understood FIGUATIVELY as mentioned above (please read the previous write-up on this thread explaining “new earth”). Therefore, just as the physical heavens are above the physical earth, the figurative heavens (governments and authorities) are also above the figurative earth (human inhabitants / subjects).

At Isaiah 65 vs 17, God says “I am creating new heavens and a new earth”. He goes further to explain what these mean in verse 18 saying “I am creating Jerusalem a cause for joy and her PEOPLE a cause for exultation”. We know that Jerusalem was the seat of government for the Jewish nation and as such that word “Jerusalem” was used to refer to the Jewish governmental system. We also know that God did not create new physical heavens and a new physical earth after Isaiah declared that prophecy. The prophecy was fulfilled after the Jews returned from their exile in Babylon upon which God established a new governmental system in Jerusalem (new heavens), a cause for joy and also re-settled its people, faithful returning Jewish inhabitants (new earth), a cause for exultation. So, in that prophecy by Isaiah God was speaking purely in FIGURATIVE TERMS not LITERAL.

At Ephesians 3 vs 10, Paul mentions “the governments and the authorities in the HEAVENLY places”. The context shows that he was referring to human governments and authorities, but the point to note is that these are in HEAVENLY places. In other words Paul (as a side point) was helping us understand why the bible figuratively uses the word “heaven” to refer to governments and authorities. They occupy higher vantage positions / place relative to their subjects. So, the bible uses the word “heaven” figuratively to refer to governments and authorities since they are higher and occupy vantage positions / place than their subjects / people (figurative earth).

With this background, what therefore is the “new heavens” spoken of in 2 Peter 3 vs 13 and Revelation 21 vs 1? Well, simply put the “new heavens” refer to the new governmental system which God has established – God’s Kingdom, placed firmly in the hands of Jesus and his 144,000 co-rulers bought from among mankind. God’s Kingdom (new heavens) will replace the existing human governmental systems (old heavens) and eventually dominate the entire earth forever.

This replacement is well described in Daniel 2 vs 44 which says “...... the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed. And this Kingdom will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms and it alone will stand forever”. Before this summary conclusion in verse 44, Daniel explains the dream to Nebuchadnezzar that there would be a succession of human world powers represented by the different body parts of a huge image. This image is eventually destroyed by a “stone” released by God (not human hands) to strike the feet of the image, such that it crashes, becomes powder and gets blown away by wind. The “stone” then becomes a mountain and fills the whole earth. Daniel explains that the “stone” is God’s Kingdom that totally destroys the long line of human rule and governmental systems, completely wiping them away and replacing them so as to dominate the entire earth forever.

So in conclusion, the “new heavens” is God’s Kingdom government ruled by Jesus and his 144,000 co-rulers bought from among mankind. This will replace the current existing human governmental systems (old heaven), dominate the entire earth and restore a global earthly paradise to be enjoyed by a new righteous human society (new earth).

Any questions or comments?

Questions or comments are most welcome

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