Why do we need a new heaven

In Isaiah, God prophecies that He will create new heavens along with the new earth:

Isa 65:17  For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

God also said that the new heavens (and the new earth) that He will create (future) will remain forever:

Isa 66:22  For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.

And Peter reminds us to be looking forward to these new heavens (and new earth), about which Isaiah wrote:

2 Pet 3:13  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Why a New Heaven?

We understand that there will be a new earth, but a new heaven?  We know our earth is under the curse given in the garden.  We know it needs to be purified and made new.  But the question arises, why does God’s Word tell us that there will be a new Heaven? Isn’t Heaven perfect?

Rev 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.

We also read that God says He will purify heaven by fire.  

2 Pet 3:7  But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against [until] the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men [the final judgment, the Great White Throne, at the end of the Millennium].
2 Pet 3:10  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Clearly, this will be a judgment by fire that will purify both the heavens and the earth. And after that judgment, God will then make all things new (Rev 21:5)  

Why a Fiery Judgement of Heaven?

To understand this we must go back to the beginning.  “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.” (Gen 1:1).  That’s a clear statement of what God did.  He created both the heaven (singular) and the earth. Then God gives more specifics about His creative work, starting by describing what was there “in the beginning”:

Gen 1:2 the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

The “face of the deep” is “the face of the waters”…massive amounts of water.   God goes on to tell that He created the firmament (heaven, Gen 1:8) and placed it in the midst of the waters (the deep), thereby creating a heaven (singular) with water above and water below. This is not the Heaven where God dwells. God’s Heaven is eternal. This is heaven God created for man.

Gen 1:6  And God said, Let there be a firmament  [heaven] in the midst of the waters [the deep], and let it divide the waters from the waters.
Gen 1:7  And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
Gen 1:8  And God called the firmament Heaven [singular]. And the evening and the morning were the second day.

A Distinction of Heavens

What existed on the second day of creation?  

1. The Heaven of heavens where God dwells, which has always existed (Deut 10:14, 1 Kings 8:27, 2 Chron 2:6, 6:18, Neh 9:6)
2. The earth, and
3. The created heaven (firmament) that God placed into the midst of the waters (the deep). 

The created heaven is different than the eternal Heaven of heavens.  The created heaven is revealed in the Bible to be two heavens — one in which the birds and airplanes fly (our atmosphere) and one beyond which is the home of planets, galaxies, and stars (our universe).  So there are actually three heavens (Read more:  Three Heavens? Where is the Third Heaven?)

New Heaven and New Earth?

In Revelation, we read of the fulfillment of what Isaiah and Peter spoke about — a new heaven.

Rev 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.

Let’s return to our question about the new heaven: “Why does Heaven have to be created new?”  The answer is that this verse in Revelation is not about the Third Heaven, the Heaven of heavens, the dwelling place of God.  The Third Heaven is perfect, pure, and an eternal place in no need of being burned, purified, or made new.  The Bible’s teaching on the new heaven is about the second and first heavens that were created on day two of creation. They will be made new.

Notice that John, in writing the Revelation of Jesus Christ, wrote about the “new heaven” (and new earth) coming down from Heaven (Rev 21:1-2). He wrote that the first heaven and first earth (those created and referenced in Gen 1:1-8), will be gone (by fire).  Also, note that “heaven” is singular.  We can reasonably believe that the eternal heaven will be one heaven, with no division of waters, a complete harmony and union with God’s dwelling place, what we know as the Third Heaven.  

Conclusion

With reasoning and logic, our question is answered.  We start by remembering that God’s Heaven is eternal (no beginning or end) and it is perfect. The Heaven of heavens was not created and it needs no purification.  However, all creation is under the curse of sin and will be made new. 

What do we know about the new heaven in Revelation 21:1?  What will it be like?  We can surmise that it will be breathtaking in its beauty, sanctified without sin, and existing forever, according to the prophecies and promises of God.  It will be a realm of glory far beyond our wildest dreams and our most creative imaginations.  We will live with Jesus forevermore, unbounded by earthly constraints of time and dimension, and in perfect, sinless, union with our God and Saviour.  Oh, what a generous and loving Father.  Oh, what a kind and gracious Saviour. Oh, what a faithful and testifying Spirit.  In this earthly life, we have been given everything we need, including a glimpse into eternity and the exceedingly abounding riches that we will receive.  Praise the Lord!!!

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What does the Bible mean by new heavens?

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Where in the Bible does it talk about a new heaven and earth?