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2. A New World Comes Into Being (Revelation 21:1)
The End of our Earth: Jesus himself had prophesied, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). That the present earth has to pass away had John also known and confessed already previously. When he saw the vision about it, he did not describe, how heaven passes away with a great noise and the elements of the earth melt with fervent heat (2 Peter 3:7-13), but he only mentions in a subordinate clause, using the imperfect tense, that heaven and earth already passed away and were replaced by a new and better world.
We should repent, because it is also our fault that the creator has to destroy his beautiful and wonderful earth. His hitherto existing earth is full of wisdom, divine order and principles at its best. In it his created live is acting with great power. He created the light of the sun and brings about the coldness of the winter, grasses, flowers, fruits animals and men in a large variety. However, man did not preserve the earth entrusted to him (Genesis 1:28-29; 2:8.15), but spoilt it thoroughly. He killed his own brother (Genesis 4:8; Matthew 5:21-25; 1 John 3:15)! The fact that today air and oceans are poisoned and contaminated by industrial pollution and the waste water of the towns is only an outward indication of our inward corruption. The overpopulation on the earth and modern technologies multiply today the wickedness of men, which has been at work ever since.
The old world is hopelessly corrupted and ripe for judgment. There is no use for democracy or any new world order. Any plans for improvements are like utopian dreams and illusions that will burst. God and His Lamb decided therefore on the end of the previous cosmos so as to give way for a new, better, holier and eternal being. However, the break-through of the new world remains a fruit of the atoning death of Christ and the power of his Holy Spirit.
John had to watch how the old, good earth passed away, how it stopped existing and vanished without a trace; but the apostle of Christ did not regret the past as he confessed before, “Do not love the world, neither the things that are in the world. ... And the world is passing away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides for ever.” (1 John 2:15a.17)
The Vanishing of the Sea: John testified only a single aspect from his vision of the end of the world and the break-through of the new being, “The sea will not exist any longer!” Probably, he did not mean that there will be no water in the new creation as if it would exist without dew, clouds, rain, brooks, rivers and oceans. On the contrary, scientists 2000 years ago thought of the earth resting in a primal-sea that carries it. People were afraid that in the unexplored depths of this sea monsters and demons did mischief and again and again emerged and went ashore (Revelation 13:1) so as to do damage among the nations. In any case, the new earth does not rest on a demon possessed sea, the more so as Satan and his followers will suffer eternal pain in the lake of fire. The new earth lies safe in the hand of its Savior (John 10:27-31).
PRAYER: Our patient Father in heaven, we feel ashamed and we cry because our earth is dominated by fierce wars, deadly epidemics, and haughtiness of self-seekers, creating hatred and rage with hopelessness and fear. Millions are dying of hunger and poverty, while the rich live in ease and comfort, and the influence of unclean spirits in the multitudes is growing. Forgive us our offences and our carelessness for the poor, and sanctify us for the better future that is filled with the grace of Your mercy. Amen.
QUESTION:
- Why does the apostle John write, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world"?