Reading Revelation 21:1-5: Remodeled and made new!
- Thad DeBuhr
- Jun 18
- 9 min read
It seems that many people hold either a mistaken or an incomplete understanding of what heaven will truly be like. Both believers and non-believers often glean their ideas about heaven from movies and fictional stories, rather than from the Bible itself. This common misconception usually paints heaven as an ethereal realm filled with clouds, mist, or smoke, where people float around, worshipping God and singing for eternity. For someone like me, who isn't a great singer, that's hardly an exciting prospect to anticipate! (Yes, there's singing in heaven, for your sake, I hope I get voice lessons 🤣)
However, did you know that heaven (Meaning the place where believers will spend eternity with God) is indeed described in the Bible? It's a real place, and surprisingly, it's a place you're already very familiar with: Earth. Contrary to popular portrayals in films and stories, people don't ascend from Earth to spend eternity in some distant, otherworldly realm. Instead, God actually brings heaven to Earth to dwell with His people and His creation. And even better, He makes everything new! Imagine the entire earth and all of creation remodeled by God, made fresh and restored to its original, perfect design. Now that's a vision of heaven I can truly look forward to. But don't just take my word for it; let's explore what God revealed to John in our passage for today...
Setting the stage: Revelation 21:1-5
We're opening up Revelation 21:1-5. Now, for those who hear "Revelation" and immediately picture four horsemen and fire and brimstone, take a deep breath. While Revelation certainly has its dramatic moments, it’s ultimately a book of hope, a triumphant shout that God wins!
John, the author of this book and one of Jesus’ closest companions, was exiled on the island of Patmos, likely because of his faith. There, he received incredible visions from God and was instructed to write them down. Think of it like a divine movie reel playing in his mind.
In Revelation 21:1-5, John paints a picture of a "new heaven and a new earth." When we hear this, many of us instantly picture floating on clouds, strumming harps, and sipping celestial smoothies. But let’s pump the brakes on that image for a second. N.T. Wright, a renowned Bible scholar, points out in his book Revelation for Everyone that the word "new" here isn't about throwing everything out and starting from scratch. It's more like "renewed" or "made fresh." Think of it less like demolishing your old house and building a brand new one from the ground up, and more like a complete, top-to-bottom renovation and restoration of your existing home.
This idea of a renewed creation actually connects all the way back to the very beginning of the Bible. Remember Genesis, where God creates a perfect world, and then everything gets messed up by sin? Well, Revelation 21 is God hitting the "restore" button, but even better. It’s not just a return to Eden; it’s an upgraded Eden! As Craig S. Keener, another respected scholar, notes, this passage signifies the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, where the physical creation itself is restored and becomes a fitting dwelling place for God and humanity. It’s not about escaping this world, but about God making this world truly new.
John also sees "the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God." This isn't about us going up to heaven to live in some ethereal cloud city. It’s about God's perfect dwelling, His presence, coming down to us, on a renewed earth. Brad Gray from Walkingthetext.com often emphasizes how this concept challenges our typical understanding of heaven and hell, highlighting God's intention to dwell with His people on earth, not just in some distant realm.
Rabbit Trail #1: "New" (Kainos) vs. "New" (Neos) – A Transformation We Know!
The Greek word translated as "new" in "new heaven and new earth" is kainos (καινός), not neos (νέος). Understanding this distinction is crucial for appreciating the passage's meaning.
Neos (νέος): Means "new in time" or "recent." Think of a brand new car just off the lot. It's new because it's recently made.
Kainos (καινός): Means "new in quality," "fresh," "renewed," or "unprecedented." It signifies something that is qualitatively different, superior, or restored to its ideal state, even if it has existed before.
So, when John describes a "new heaven and new earth," he's not saying God is utterly annihilating the current creation and conjuring something entirely different out of nothing. Instead, he's conveying that the existing creation will undergo a radical, qualitative transformation. It will be purified, redeemed, and restored to its perfect, original design, free from the stain of sin and all its effects. This emphasizes God's redemptive power over His creation, not just His creative power. It's a renovation, not a complete demolition and rebuild from scratch.
This idea of kainos—being "made new" in quality—is something most believers can deeply relate to in their own lives. Think about it: before coming to Christ, many of us lived in ways that were far from God's design. Perhaps we were caught up in excessive drinking or partying, constantly chasing fleeting highs. Maybe our relationships were marked by selfishness, broken trust, or sexual immorality. Some of us might have struggled with explosive anger, relentless gossip, pervasive anxiety, a consuming addiction to pornography, or a constant pursuit of money and worldly success, all while feeling an underlying emptiness. We lived our lives apart from God, often making choices that left us feeling broken and unfulfilled.
Then, through Christ, we experienced not only forgiveness for our past but also the beginning of a profound transformation. We started a process of being "made new." It's like when Jesus told His disciples in Mark 1:17, "Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people." He didn't say, "I will give you a new fishing pole." He said, "I will make you into something new." Jesus works in us to change our character, our desires, and our very nature.
Often, when we encounter people from our "old days," they might observe, "Wow, you've really changed!" Or maybe they wouldn't say it to your face, but the whispers would go around the old friends' group: "Boy, he's really changed," or "She's nothing like she used to be." These observations are a tangible testament to the kainos work God has done and continues to do in us. Remembering how God has worked in our lives as believers to make us new helps us grasp, in a very personal and exciting way, how God will indeed make all things new.
Then, the best part! A "loud voice from the throne" declares, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God." This is the ultimate reunion! It’s what John MacArthur calls the "consummation of redemption," where God's intimate presence, lost in Eden, is fully restored. And the tears? Wiped away! No more death, sorrow, crying, or pain. The old order of things—all the junk, all the heartache, all the brokenness—it's gone. Forever. God’s doing a new thing, a completely fresh start where everything sad comes untrue.
Rabbit Trail #2: The Temple and God's Dwelling Place
The phrase, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them," would have resonated deeply with John's Jewish audience because of their understanding of the Temple.
God's Presence in the Old Testament: From the tabernacle in the wilderness to Solomon's magnificent Temple in Jerusalem, these structures symbolized God's willingness to "tabernacle" or dwell among His people. However, this dwelling was often limited, contained within sacred spaces, and accessed through priests and sacrifices.
The Brokenness of the Temple: By John's time, the glorious Second Temple had been destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD, a devastating blow to Jewish identity and their understanding of God's presence.
A New and Perfect Temple: John's vision of the "new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God" and God Himself dwelling directly with humanity signifies the ultimate fulfillment and transcending of the Temple. It means that in the new creation, God's presence is no longer confined to a building or a specific place. It is pervasive, direct, and intimate with His people. This would have been an incredibly revolutionary and comforting thought for a people who had lost their most sacred physical representation of God's dwelling. It points to a direct, unmediated relationship that was unimaginable in the Old Covenant.
There's more to this Reading Revelation 21:1-5 STUDY GUIDE
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Questions to chew on and discuss (or for your journal)
A Journey Group Discussion Starter (use in your small group time)
Modern Day Application Ideas
Want to watch the video version of the Daily Bible Podcast Episode that corresponds to this study guide? Here you go!
Questions for You to Chew On and Discuss
How does the idea of a "renewed" earth, rather than a completely new one, change your perspective on God's plans for creation?
What aspects of the "old order" (death, sorrow, crying, pain) are you most looking forward to being gone forever?
How can the promise of God dwelling with us here on a renewed earth impact how you live your life today?
Journey Group Discussion Starter
If God is going to wipe away every tear, what specific sorrow or pain in your life right now are you most longing for Him to erase? Share openly and pray for one another.
Want to learn more about our Journey Groups (Small Groups online or in person)
Modern-Day Application: Go from "reading Revelation" to applying the lessons and principles:
So, how does this incredible vision of the future impact our everyday lives?
First, it gives us immense hope. No matter how messed up things seem right now—whether it’s personal struggles, global crises, or just plain bad hair days—God has the ultimate plan. This isn't just wishful thinking; it's a guaranteed future. This should fuel our perseverance and give us courage.
Second, it reminds us that God cares about this world. He's not abandoning it; He's redeeming it. This should motivate us to be good stewards of creation, to care for the earth, and to work for justice and restoration in our communities, knowing that we are participating in God's grand plan of renewal.
Finally, the promise of God dwelling with us should transform our relationship with Him. He’s not a distant deity; He’s coming to make His home with us. This should draw us into deeper intimacy, prayer, and worship. We can live with an awareness of His presence even now, knowing that one day, that presence will be fully and gloriously revealed.
RESOURCES TO HELP YOU GROW AS A CHRISTIAN
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BRAND NEW RESOURCE FOR YOU!
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Absolutely a game changer. I have always been taught that heaven is all about floating on clouds, singing and harp playing. My grandmother used to say that we would see each other on our clouds one day in heaven. We could hook our pinkie fingers together and stay close together…. I am amazed at what God can do and am challenging what I have learned about heaven. I now think of heaven more like a New Garden of Eden. How exciting! Thank you for sharing this revelation with us.