Will Eden Really Be Restored?
Yep, it will be! I'm sure we'll be surprised by multiple things we encounter in the New Jerusalem, but the Bible tells of many things. There'll be no more greed, fraud, gaslighting, fake news, or corruption like stealing and using your tax dollars for extremely evil purposes. (That's only happened in this old earth).
There'll Be New Heavens And A New Earth!
A day is coming when God will make everything new. Not just repaired, not just improved—completely new. John saw it in a vision: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away” (Revelation 21:1). This is not some vague, mystical realm. This is our eternal home, the place where God’s people will dwell forever in perfect joy, free from sin, suffering, and death.
Right now, the world groans under the weight of sin. From the moment Adam and Eve rebelled, creation has been cursed, longing for redemption (Romans 8:22). But God’s plan does not end with destruction—it ends with restoration. Jesus declared, “I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:5). One day, this fallen world will be replaced by a new creation where righteousness reigns (2 Peter 3:13). The old order, with its sorrow and pain, will be forgotten (Isaiah 65:17).
At the heart of this new creation stands the New Jerusalem, descending from heaven like a bride prepared for her husband (Revelation 21:2). This magnificent city, shining with God’s glory, will be our eternal home. Streets of gold, pearly gates, and the Tree of Life—this is not fairy tale imagery, but a glimpse of the beauty and perfection God has prepared for His people. Best of all, God Himself will dwell among us. “They will see His face” (Revelation 22:4).
No distance between us, no more separation—just perfect, unbroken fellowship with our Creator.
A major feature of the new earth will be the New Jerusalem. John calls it “the Holy City.. coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband” (Revelation 21:2). This glorious city, with its streets of gold and pearly gates, is situated on a new, glorious earth. The tree of life will be there (Revelation 22:2). This city represents the final state of redeemed mankind, forever in fellowship with God: “God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.. His servants will serve him. They will see his face” (Revelation 21:3; 22:3–4).
Seven things outta here -- they'll completely be gone!
Wait? No sea (but I love the sea with its waves, Lord).
Hey, there'll of course be bodies of fresh water such as the river in Revelation 22:1 in the new earth. Good!
No dying or death. No mourning. No weeping. No pain. No curse. No night.. just bright healthy light. Not too bright, but just right. All the things that have bugged and haunted humanity since the fall in the garden will be forever erased.
Yes, in the soon coming new heavens and new earth, Scripture says, there are seven things notable for their absence.
• no more death (Revelation 21:4)
• no more mourning (Revelation 21:4)
• no more weeping (Revelation 21:4)
• no more pain (Revelation 21:4)
• no more curse (Revelation 22:3)
• no more night (Revelation 22:5)
The creation of the new heavens and new earth brings the comforting promise that God “will wipe every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 21:4).
This is the final, breathtaking glimpse of eternity that God's Scripture gives to us. After the Rapture, after the 7 years of tribulation, after Christ’s Second Coming return, after the final (Great White Throne) judgment—this is what awaits those who belong to Him. The story of redemption ends not in loss for you and me, but in victory. God is not just taking us backward. We're not returning in time to Eden; God is leading us forward to something even greater.
So what do we do now? We live in Christ with hope, joy, and truth! We fix our eyes Him while thinking about on eternity. We serve him and others practically here while we can as decent witnesses.
We walk in fellowship with God and with other Christians. We choose to be a blessing to those around us.. starting at home. We walk in righteousness, knowing that the sufferings of this present time are nothing compared to the glory that will be revealed (Romans 8:18). The new heavens and the new earth are coming soon. I think much sooner than many believers realize. And if you belong to Christ and love worshipping Him alone, this is your future—forever in the presence of God, forever at home.
Q: Ever go see Christopher Nolan’s critically acclaimed film, Interstellar?
It has just celebrated its 10th anniversary of release with the highest-grossing box office re-release of all time says Dr. Jason Snyder.
"The film’s plot follows a desperate humanity that ventures forth into space in order to find deliverance from food shortages and ecological disasters on earth. In efforts to save the human race, the team of astronauts must find a safe planet that is capable of supporting life. During the movie, they visit three planets thought to be capable of supporting life, but two of the planets prove to be radically dangerous. The last one proves to be worthwhile, but it is still an incredibly harsh climate fraught with much difficulty."
One of the greatest joys of being a believer will be totally realized when we enter the world that we so look forward to entering. This will be after God recreates all things new and flawlessly -- without spot or blemish.
In this deliverance that we look forward to, we don’t ever have to worry about whether or not it will be habitable because God promises us that this coming world we look forward to will be completely perfect. Yes, physically and spiritually.
God will make a new creation where we will live with Him in perfect peace, harmony and joy. The Apostle Paul says...
"Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. 19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time." Romans 8:18-22 nlt
"That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 nlt
Read Revelation 21:1 nlt - "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.[a] 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 6 And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.
8 “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
9 Then one of the seven angels who held the seven bowls containing the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come with me! I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
10 So he took me in the Spirit[b] to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as clear as crystal. 12 The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates. 13 There were three gates on each side—east, north, south, and west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
15 The angel who talked to me held in his hand a gold measuring stick to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 When he measured it, he found it was a square, as wide as it was long. In fact, its length and width and height were each 1,400 miles.[c] 17 Then he measured the walls and found them to be 216 feet thick[d] (according to the human standard used by the angel).
18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. 19 The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones:[e] the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.
21 The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass.
22 I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. 24 The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. 25 Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. 26 And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. 27 Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life." What's this particular chapter about? It's about Jesus and what he's going to do here...
All things new, or the same old self, nature and sins? What will it be for you? For those who believe in Jesus Christ, the future means “all things new” (Rev 21:5); but for those who reject Him, it means the same old sins for all eternity (vv. 8, 27; 22:11, 15).
Human history begins with a garden (Gen. 2:8–17) and ends with a city that is like a garden. However, the most important thing about the heavenly city is not the absence of sin but the presence of God in all His glory (vv. 3, 11, 23), for His presence makes “all things new.”
He is the temple (v. 22) and the light (v. 23); and His presence means there is no more sin, pain, death, sorrow, or crying (v. 4), and no more curse (22:3; Gen. 3:9–19). Heaven is so wonderful that the only way John can describe it is to tell us what will not be there! Its beauties and blessings are beyond human words to describe or explain.
Why did Jesus give John this preview of eternal glory? To encourage His people who go through testing and persecution. “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:1–6) is the best medicine for a broken heart and the best foundation for wavering feet.
The suffering of this earth now, this current world situation, does not compare to the glory of eternity.
Q: What did Paul say about God’s plan for creation in the end? What does this tell us about the Gospel message?
Q: Why did Paul say our earthly sufferings are just “light momentary affliction”?
It'll Soon Be A World Beyond Imagination For Us
Imagine stepping into a worshipping the Lord. It'll be breathtaking. It will be so perfect, that every ache, every sorrow will be comforted.
Every longing for what's good you've ever had will be fulfilled in Christ beyond measure. I wish I had words to describe it. A world where peace isn't fragile, joy isn't fleeting, feelings aren't fickle, and love isn't tainted or twisted by selfishness. Re-read your Bible. This isn't a fantasy or a distant dream—it's the reality God has promised to those who belong to Him.
In the film Interstellar, humanity desperately searches for a new home.. a real home.. but every planet they reach is flawed, hostile, and ultimately uninhabitable.
No matter how advanced our technology here, no matter how great our efforts are, we cannot create a place of perfection. But God can. Easily. History is His story. He has already written the ending to this story, and for those who trust in Jesus Christ, it is one of unparalleled adventure, hope (a living hope cuz of our living Savior), joy, peace, agape love! When you know how the story ends, the struggles along the way seem to take on a different meaning.
The Promise of Perfection
The Bible describes for us that the sufferings we experience in this world cannot compare to the glory that awaits us (Romans 8:18). Right now, we live in this sin-cursed fallen world, where pain, loss, sickness, disease and injustice are everyday realities. But this is not our final destination.
It's like God’s story unfolds in four grand acts: Creation, Fall, Redemption, and the Final Kingdom.
In the beginning, God created everything so good for people (See Genesis 1-2), but then due to faulty choices.. sin corrupted His masterpiece of a place (Genesis 3).
The rest of history has been a story of redemption—God calling His people to repentance and faith.. yes, back to Himself through Jesus Christ, and in the NT regenerating individuals making them new creations
"Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]." 2 Corinthians 5:17 amp
Even now as this world remains broken with broken people, the final act is approaching. One day, God will remake the heavens and the earth, and everything will be made brand spanking new.
"And He who sits on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.' Also He said, 'Write, for these words are faithful and true [they are accurate, incorruptible, and trustworthy].'" Revelation 21:5 amp
No more sin after the millenium. No more suffering or loss either. Only perfect peace in God's loving presence.
The Groaning of Creation
Right now, all creation groans like a woman in labor (See Romans 8:22). Every earthquake, every flood, every tornado or cyclone, every disease, and every useless unnecessary war is a reminder that this world is not as it should be. But just as sharp labor pains precede the joy of seeing a new life enter the scene, the struggles of this age point to the coming glory of the next. Lots of birth-pangs these days huh.
Those who endure will receive eternal life in God’s perfect kingdom (Revelation 2:7, 10, 17). Paul calls our suffering a "light momentary affliction" because compared to the joy ahead, it is nothing (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). The pain is real, but the promise is MUCH GREATER.
A City Unlike Any Other
God for the Apostle John on Patmos, in Revelation 21 paints a picture. It wasn't written to us, but it was written for us as well. Such a sublime picture of the new heaven and new earth. The Holy City, prepared like a stunning bride for her husband in awe. It'll shine with the radiance of God’s shakinah glory! There is no temple cuz God himself is it.
"But I saw no temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its lamp.." (v.22, 23).
No night, no crimes at night, no fear, no evil—only light so bright, and life, and everlasting joy in Jesus!
Those gates over there in this city are always open, hospitable, warmly welcoming all who thirst for the water of life (Revelation 21:6). But not everyone will enter. Not all those who think they'll enter will enter. Only those whose names are written in the Book of Life—those who have repented of personal sin, who have trusted in the Christ of the Bible, not in some made-up Christ—will dwell there (Revelation 21:27). This isn’t about good deeds or moral effort. It’s about being made new by the grace of Jesus now while you still can. No salvation after you reach room temperature.
What This Means for Us Today
If you knew for certain that your future held nothing but joy, peace, and fulfillment, how would that change the way you live now? Would trials shake you as much as they have? Would worries rock and consume you? Would you chase after things that don’t last?
Heaven is not some fairytale, not an abstract idea -- it is a concrete reality. Every sorrow you endure now will be swallowed up in victory.. cuz of our Lord who is a conqurer. Every battle you wisely wage against sin, your fleshly nature, those minions, and this corrupt world-system will be worth it in the end. Every moment of humble candid prayer leading to faithfulness will be rewarded BIGLY. Yep, even more beyond imagination. So fix your eyes on Christ, and on what is unseen, on what is eternal. We live in the now, we are present. We walk today in the light of the Kingdom that is coming.
"So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." 2 Corinthians 4:18 nlt
Our faithful God is making all things new—including you. Come to Him, become like little children in a good sort of way -- be thoroughly converted. Before us is life beyond anything we could ever dream of!
Are you ready? Come honest. Count the cost. Decide. Come as you are willing to be changed by the Holy Spirit working within you.
God will make a new creation where we will live--a new earth.
There will be no locks on doors because we won’t worry about theft. We won’t need light bulbs because God will be our light. We won’t need hospitals or any hospice care, or doctors because sickness and death will be a complete thing of the past. Thinking on these verses brings me greater gratitude and excitement inside for the Rapture with physical resurrections, and age to come.
APPLICATION CHALLENGES
THINK: Have you heard stories on TV about heaven? How do they compare to the biblical description of God’s final kingdom in Revelation 21–22? How does understanding the truth about God’s final kingdom affect the way we live our day-today lives in the here and now? What difference does it make in the way we talk to other people about Jesus, His salvation and the Gospel? How can we store up treasures in heaven and live with an eternal perspective?
PRAY: for His wisdom to live with an eternal perspective. Ask for discernment to know what things will last into eternity and how to invest your time, energy and resources into those things. Pray for those who don’t yet know Jesus in a personal way. Ask God to give you a red-hot passion for Him and winning souls to Him. Ask for opportunity and the right words to share these beautiful images of God’s final kingdom with them, to show them the beauty and joy of living in His presence. Even now, Lord, we love being with you!
ACT: Review and write down any questions you've had, or even new questions that have arisen throughout this study. "Go..tell!" Mark 5:19
