Before creation, this earth was just a lump of formless and shapeless rock most of which was covered by water.
25Part 4 / Lesson 25
The New Earth
Before creation, this world was “without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep” (Genesis 1:26-28). Then, in six days, God created a perfect world and placed Adam and Eve to rule over it (see Genesis 1:26-28). Unfortunately, the entrance of sin marred the b...
33 min study23 guided questionsProgress saved locally
“Before creation, this world was “without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep” (Genesis 1:26-28).”
Begin Here
What you will explore
- 1Explore the new earth through the original lesson's Scripture path.
- 2Read each cited passage before consulting the lesson's study guidance.
- 3Record a personal response and keep your progress on this device.
Original Lesson Introduction
Prepare for the study
Before creation, this world was “without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep” (Genesis 1:26-28). Then, in six days, God created a perfect world and placed Adam and Eve to rule over it (see Genesis 1:26-28). Unfortunately, the entrance of sin marred the bliss of this perfect and finished creation. At the fall, this world was handed over to Satan and he became its ruler (see Luke 4:5-6). Thus began the downward trend.
Unlike the theory of evolution, the Bible teaches “devolution.” That is, in the beginning, God created a perfect and finished world to which nothing could be added for improvement. But, when sin entered this world, things began to go from bad to worse. Ultimately, sin will destroy our world until one day this earth will be reduced to what was before creation, “without form and void.”
The book of Revelation describes this destroyed world as the “bottomless pit” (see Revelation 20:1-3). This is where Satan, the originator of sin, and his angels will be bound during the Millennium (Revelation 20:1-3) They will have one thousand years to contemplate what sin has done to God’s perfect creation.
After the thousand years are ended and God has judged and executed Satan and all who have joined him, thus eradicating sin from the universe, He will create a new heaven and a new earth wherein will dwell righteousness. At that time God will move His throne from heaven to this earth made new and the saints will rule with Him forever and ever. This wonderful truth, which culminates the plan of redemption, will be the concluding lesson of these Bible studies.
Step 1 / Read the lesson
Study the teaching
Read the lesson material and cited passages first. The questions and saved responses follow in the next step.
Study 1
Questions 1-7
Read the cited passage, write what you observe, and then open any source note provided with the lesson.
Please read Genesis 1:3-31 to get a complete description of creation week. Note that all that God created was “very good.” At the end of the sixth day, this world was perfect and finished so that God rested on the seventh day from all His work and sanctified the seventh day (see Genesis 2:1-3).
According to verse 14, the “Word” is Jesus Christ who “was made flesh and dwelt among us.” Jesus who created us is also the One who redeemed us.
What Christ was implying is that in heaven there is room for everybody. No one will be lost who accepts by faith the gift of salvation offered in Christ. This is the good news of the gospel.
Heaven is God’s dwelling place and that is where Christ will take the saints when He comes the second time.
Because “God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29), nothing that has been tainted by sin will be able to withstand Christ’s full glory at His coming.
Study 2
Questions 8-14
Continue through the original lesson in sequence, letting Scripture lead your response.
Heaven will not be the permanent home of the saints. The earth made new will be the final home of the saved, a world in which dwells righteousness.
Sin will ultimately destroy this earth and all life in it. Once again, this world of ours will be reduced to what it was before creation, “without form and void.” It is to this destroyed earth Satan will be bound for a thousand years.
God’s plan is to eventually restore this earth to its original perfection.
The meek are all those who have lost all confidence in self and are depending entirely on the righteousness of Christ for their salvation.
After the thousand years, the saints, along with the Holy City they have been dwelling in, the New Jerusalem, will descend to this earth and become the capital of the earth made new (see verse 2).
Study 3
Questions 15-21
Continue through the original lesson in sequence, letting Scripture lead your response.
How wonderful it will be to live in such a city. But the greatest joy the saints will experience is to serve their God and their Savior, Jesus Christ.
Just think of it, no more death or pain or heartaches in the earth made new! According to verse 5, God is going to make “everything new.”
All those who have overcome unbelief and received by faith God’s gift of salvation will inherit the earth made new. Only those who have deliberately and ultimately refused Christ as their Savior will be destroyed forever (verse 8).
What a future! Surely the new earth will be paradise restored. Therefore, anyone who refuses such an offer, which God makes us through the gospel of Jesus Christ, needs to think twice what he or she is rejecting.
Study 4
Questions 22-23
Continue through the original lesson in sequence, letting Scripture lead your response.
Sin will not rise up a second time to plague the new earth. That is not because God will take away our freedom of choice but because the saints will know first-hand what sin is. They will hate sin for what it did to Christ on the cross and the thought of rebellion against God will never enter their minds.
(i) (ii)
Nowhere in the Bible does it teach that once saved means always saved. As Jesus stated in Matthew 10:22, only those whose faith has endured to the end will be saved. Hebrews 10:38 says the same thing. This is what it means to have the perseverance of the saints. Even if it costs us our lives, if we are to make it to heaven and the earth made new, our faith in Christ must be unshakable. Jesus does not want believers to lose their confidence in Him and, therefore, He wants our faith to endure unto the end. His final words in the Bible are, “Surely I come quickly.” May your response to this promise be, “Amen. Even so come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20). The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and forever more. Amen.
From the original lesson
CONGRATULATIONS!! YOU HAVE COMPLETED THIS BIBLE COURSE.
Step 2 / Questions and answers
Respond to the study
Read each passage, write your response, then reveal the lesson answer or source note to compare what you found.
Question set 1
Questions 1-7
1
What was the condition of the earth before creation?
2
How long did it take God to create this world we live in?
3Read and respond
Out of what did God create this universe of ours?
4
Who of the three persons of the Godhead actually created this world?
5
What promise did Jesus make before returning to heaven?
6
Where will Christ take the believers at His Second Coming?
7
What will happen to this earth at the second coming of Christ?
Question set 2
Questions 8-14
8
To what do believers look forward because of the plan of redemption?
9Read and respond
What will this world be like when Christ takes the saints to heaven?
10
What will happen to life and the vegetation at Christ’s Second Advent?
11
Will this earth remain desolate forever?
12
What promise did Christ make to His disciples in this beatitude?
13Read and respond
How long will the saints reign with Christ in heaven?
14
What New Covenant promise will be fulfilled in the earth made new?
Question set 3
Questions 15-21
15Read and respond
What special tree will be found growing in the New Jerusalem?
16
Describe briefly what life will be like in New Jerusalem:
17
What will God wipe out in the earth made new?
18
Who will be allowed to inherit the earth made new?
19Read and respond
Briefly describe what life will be like in the earth made new.
20Read and respond
What other description of the new earth does Isaiah give us?
21
Will illness ever threaten the lives of God’s people in the new earth?
Question set 4
Questions 22-23
22
Will sin ever rise again in the new earth?
23
What two things are required of all believers to inherit the new earth?
(i) (ii)
Step 3 / Personal reflection
Reflect and respond
What truth from The New Earth most clearly deepens your understanding of the gospel, and how will you respond?
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