New Creation
New Creation is also called: Heaven, New Earth, New Heaven and New Earth, New Jerusalem (City of Peace), and All Things Made New.
A critical distinction of the Biblical creation accounts, compared to other creation scenarios, is the promise of a New Creation that will someday replace this present creation. This New Creation goes beyond paradise restored. It is a radically and gloriously different creation governed by different laws of physics and framed by different dimensions, with no pain or suffering or death. See Rev. 21. Humans, made in the image of God, have the capacity to experience life beyond our current physical life, the New Creation. Sadly, culture has almost always portrayed heaven as a place in which people in white robes, seated on clouds, play a harp all day long. For many, this is their only picture of heaven; no wonder so many have no great desire to go to heaven. Nowhere in the Bible is this word picture of heaven given! Some call the future New Creation the 8th day, since we are currently in the 7th day, a long time span during which God rests from creating. See: John 14:1-3, Rev 21:1-4, Isaiah 65:17-25
In this current world, you will have pain and suffering. But this world is temporary; in the New Creation, there will be no pain or suffering. See Pain and Suffering Page
John 16:33 “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Philippians 1:21 "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (So many view death as something bad or evil. While there is mourning and loss for those who have lost a loved one, for the one who departs this life, it is a gain. Mourning should be about overcoming (a time of grieving) one's loss and not worrying about the one who has departed.
God made this universe to conquer evil. While free will and evil are present in this universe, God has provided a way to enter a New Creation, which will have no evil or suffering. ( Rev 21, John 3:16, and Revelation 3:20) See Free will vs Predestination page
Our current body is not suited for the New Creation. God will give us a new body with no decay, no pain, with no death. ( 2 Corinthians 5:1-4 )
“Jesus Christ … will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (Philippians 3:20-21)
“... flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.” (1 Corinthians 15:50)
A person who refuses to worship God in this life will not change their mind in the next existence. In fact, a person who refuses to worship God in this life would find the New Creation repugnant. (Heb 10:26.) God will not force anyone into the New Creation to be with Him. God respects human freedom. Coerced love is not genuine. (Rev 3:20). God has given enough light and opportunity to everyone before they die. See Rom 1:18-20 , John 3:19 and John 3:19-21
“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”—the things God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9" (The New Creation will be better than anyone can think or imagine!)
Common Questions:
When you die, do you go directly to the New Creation? No. The Bible teaches that those who die go to a place Jesus called paradise. Luke 23:43 "Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Hebrews 12:1 calls paradise the "cloud of witnesses". In other places, death is called a type of sleep as one waits for the New Creation. Psalm 13:3 Jesus refers to death as sleep regarding Lazarus (John 11:11–14) and Jairus's daughter (Matthew 9:24), emphasizing that death is temporary. Martyrs (those who died for their faith) get a special place "under God's altar" (Revelation 6:9-11). The Bible tells us why there is this wait. Everyone gets a new body at the same time at Christ's return to earth. (1 Corinthians 15:52-53). Then they enter the New Creation simultaneously.
Who will be in the New Creation? The Bible says: Only those who want to be there. John 3:19 states that God's light has gone out to everyone in the world. Revelation 3:20 states that Jesus personally knocks at the door of everyone's heart, and that each is given 100% free will to open the door and fellowship with Him or to reject Him. Hebrews 11 states that the entrance to Heaven, the New Creation, has always been by Faith and Redemption (God's Grace, not works). In the Book of Job, written before Abraham over 4,000 years ago, Job states (Job 19:25-27) "I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth". Those who do not want to worship God here on Earth will not be forced to worship Him in the New Creation. Revelation 7:9-17 states that in the New Creation there will be a "great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages". The New Creation will have the greatest diversity and yet the greatest unity in Jesus Christ. Romans 1:18-20 states that God also demonstrates His love and power through that which he created, so that those who reject Him have "no excuse". (see also Psalm 19:1-4 and Job 12:7-8).
( About how many will be there? Matthew 7:13-14 states that the majority will reject Him (so less than 45% will be there), yet Revelation 7:9-17 tells us it will be a large minority that will be there (more than 20%), so between ~20% and ~45%, which is 32.5%. About 117 billion people have lived on Earth to date, so about 38 billion will be in the New Creation, just as Revelation 7:9-17 states: a "great multitude that no one could number." )
Why a New Creation? The Bible and Science agree that this current creation (universe) will pass away. Humans are spirit beings who will live on after this creation ends. Thus, a New Creation (heaven) is needed that will have no decay and will not pass away. The New Creation is imperishable (1 Corinthians 15:50).
Will we age in the New Creation? No, since there is no decay there. Decay is only part of this creation (Romans 8:21-23).
Will we be able to do as we wish in the New Creation? (Have free will there?) Yes, as free will is the way to have great love, and God is Love. But there will be no evil and sin there. No one will have any desire to do bad or evil there. Revelation 21:27 states that nothing shameful or deceitful will be in the New Creation. Also see the love page.
Will we still be "human" in the New Creation? Yes, but we will have new bodies that do not decay, and we will be refined by "fire." We will be perfected both by refining fire and having put on the righteousness of Christ, a free gift for those who have trusted Him here on earth. Philippians 3:20-21 tells us : “Jesus Christ … will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (See Fire: Zechariah 13:9, Malachi 3:3 1 Peter 1:7, Revelation 3:18. Righteousness of Christ given to us: 2 Corinthians 5:21, Philippians 3:9, Romans 3:22, Rev 21. )
While we wear clothes in the New Creation? After Jesus' resurrection, in his new body, He was clothed in bright, dazzling white. At the empty tomb, see Mark 16:5. So, most likely we will have similar clothes. Revelation 19:7-9 states: Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.
Will we eat or sleep in the New Creation? Yes, but only if you want to. Since there is no decay, it is not a requirement to survive as it is here on Earth. Life there will be better than we can think or imagine. Romans 8:21-23. 1 Corinthians 2:9 tells us it will be better than we can think. Wedding festivities in Heaven are described as the "Marriage Supper of the Lamb," a future event celebrating the union between Jesus Christ (the Bridegroom) and the Church (his Bride). This ultimate, joyous feast is detailed in Revelation 19:7-9, highlighting the righteous garments of the saints and the blessing of being invited to this divine celebration.)
Will we be able to see God in the New Creation? God is Spirit, and fills all of Creation and all beyond this creation (see John 4:24). God has revealed (shown Himself) in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus will be in the New Creation in His resurrected body, and anyone can talk to Him anytime they want. Jesus was on Earth in His new body for 40 days after His death and resurrection. Jesus appeared to His followers in a locked room. He showed them his hands and side as proof of his resurrected body. (see Luke 24:39-43 and John 20:19-23). In John 14:9, Jesus said, "Whoever has seen Me, has seen the Father."
Is the New Creation Eden (paradise) Restored? No, some Christians teach this, but the word "Eden" is not stated once in the book of Revelation! The tree of life is in the New Creation (Rev 22). From this, some think that the New Creation is Eden Restored, but the Bible does not teach this anywhere.
Is the New Creation the Earth restored? No. The Bible is clear that this earth (and universe) will pass away, see Matthew 24:35. God will make something brand new, a New Heaven and Earth (Rev 21:1). Some think that God will just restore this Earth to paradise, but this is not in the Bible. The New Creation will have no need for a sun, as the sun decays and runs out of fuel (Rev 21:25 and 22:5)! Isaiah 65:17 tells us that the things on earth will be forgotten, as the new will be so much better. We are to be looking forward to the New Earth, see 2 Peter 3:13.
Will there be Marriage in the New Creation? No, Matthew 22:30 states: "At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven." There will be a deep level of fellowship there. God has given each person special gifts and talents; each person is unique. That is why even identical twins are different. Part of this life is to prepare believers for their role in the New Creation. Because of the different laws of physics and different dimensions, there will be no end to our education and understanding. See 1 Corinthians 6:3, Ephesians 2:10, and Ephesians 3:10.