Revelation 21:1
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.”
King James Version (KJV)
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This verse opens the final vision of the book, the unveiling of God's renewed creation following the passing of the former order.
What Does Revelation 21:1 Mean?
Revelation 21:1 unveils the climax of God's plan -- a new heaven and a new earth where the brokenness of the old order has passed away. After all the visions of judgment and conflict, John's eyes are lifted to the glorious goal toward which everything has been moving. The Creator who made all things at the beginning now brings forth a renewed creation.
The phrase "the first heaven and the first earth were passed away" signals that the old order, marked by sin, sorrow, and decay, gives way to something gloriously made new. The note that "there was no more sea" carries deep meaning, for throughout Scripture the sea often pictures chaos, danger, and separation. Its absence proclaims that everything threatening and unstable has been removed; only peace and security remain. This verse offers the believer profound hope: history is not spiraling toward ruin but moving toward renewal. The God who began the story is bringing it to a beautiful conclusion in which His good creation is restored and made new. The longing of every faithful heart for a world set right finds its answer here. What was lost will be more than recovered in the new creation God Himself is preparing.
In the Original Language
"New" is "kainos" (καινός), new in quality and freshness, not merely new in time. "Passed away" is "aperchomai" (ἀπέρχομαι), to depart or go away.
Cross References
“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.”
- Isaiah 65:17
“Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”
- 2 Peter 3:13
“And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.”
- Revelation 21:5
Application
This verse fills believers with hope that the world's brokenness is not the end, for God is bringing forth a renewed creation where all is made new.
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