New Heaven
The new heaven is part of the renewed creation God will bring about at the end of the age. Scripture presents it together with the new earth as the final dwelling place of righteousness under God’s full rule.
At a Glance
The new heaven is part of the renewed creation God will bring about at the end of the age. Scripture presents it together with the new earth as the final dwelling place of righteousness under God’s full rule.
Description
The new heaven is the future heavenly order God will establish as part of the new creation, commonly spoken of with the new earth in Isaiah 65:17, Isaiah 66:22, 2 Peter 3:13, and Revelation 21:1. In biblical teaching, this points to the final renewal of all things after God’s judgment, when sin, death, and the curse are removed and God’s righteous rule is fully displayed. Some orthodox interpreters emphasize transformation and renewal of the present creation, while others stress its replacement in a more absolute sense; however, the safest conclusion is that Scripture promises a real and final new creation brought about by God, fit for righteousness and closely joined to His dwelling with His people. The term should not be treated as merely symbolic or as a denial of God’s purpose for creation.