Rev.21:1 – Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.

I remember years ago when I still had small children at home I was reading a book about the universe to them as they were getting ready for bed. I remember the pictures of stars and galaxies along with scripture as we were reading about God’s creation. Suddenly it struck me, the universe was never intended by God to be such a wasteland that was so uninviting to any kind of life. Space travel as it is today can easily deteriorate into some sort of science fiction horror story. In today’s passage the Lord declares that He will create a new heaven and a new earth, in other words a new universe. Peter said that this new heaven and earth would be a place of righteousness. I believe God’s new universe will not be a wasteland but a beautiful inhabitable place for all of His creatures to enjoy. Here is something John Wesley said about this.

“A new heaven and a new earth—After the resurrection and general judgment. St. John is not now describing a flourishing state of the church, but a new and eternal state of all things. For the first heaven and the first earth—Not only the lowest part of heaven, not only the solar system, but the whole ethereal heaven, with all its host, whether of planets or fixed stars. All the former things will be done away, that all may become new….Are passed away—But in the fourth verse it is said, “are gone away.” There the stronger word is used; for death, mourning, and sorrow go away all together: the former heaven and earth only pass away, giving place to the new heaven and the new earth.”

I believe the Lord has a plan for His brand new vast universe and I believe that His redeemed sons and daughters will have a great role there. It just may be possible that our redemption story will be proclaimed through eternity in the vast new frontier John called the new heaven and the new earth. Our adventure is just getting started.

This may be what Paul is pointing to here ….

Eph.2:5-7 – even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.