Isn’t it annoying when a great movie or long-running series has a terrible ending? Fortunately, the Bible doesn’t have that problem.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Will the world get better, or will it keep spiraling out of control?” this famous Bible story is for you.
In the final chapters of Revelation, we see a vision of what the future will look like with God. A future free from the pain, grief, and anger plaguing our world today. So if you’ve ever wondered, “Will the world get better, or will it keep spiraling out of control?” this famous Bible story is for you.
Let’s explore the dramatic ending of the most famous book in human history.
Where Is This Story in the Bible?
You can find the story of the new heaven and new earth in the last two chapters of the final book of the Bible, the Book of Revelation.
After several chapters of intense visions, including seven angels, seven bowls, and a seven-headed dragon, John sees “New Jerusalem” coming down out of heaven.
What comes next? A new beginning where God’s people live in His presence forever.
A Summary of the New Heaven and New Earth Bible Story
- John sees a new heaven and a new earth, because the first heaven and the first earth have passed away.
- He notices that there’s no more sea, a symbol of chaos and separation in several ancient cultures.
- The holy city, New Jerusalem, comes down from heaven, described as being like a bride adorned for her husband.
- A loud voice declares that God’s dwelling place is now with humanity.
- God promises to wipe away every tear, and that death, mourning, crying, and pain will be no more.
- The one seated on the throne says, “I am making everything new.”
- A river of life flows from God’s throne, and the tree of life grows there, bearing fruit for the healing of the nations.
- God’s people will see His face and live in His light forever.
Key Bible Verse
“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain,” for the old order of things has passed away.’” Revelation 21:4 NIV
A Deeper Dive Into the New Heaven and Earth
The Bible begins in a garden, full of life blessed by God. But the first sin disrupts the goodness of God’s creation and causes chaos, destruction, and death. We experience the results of sin every day through the big and small ways people fail to love God and love others.
But the end of the Bible brings us back to the “garden.” The last chapter of the Bible describes an Eden-like setting with a river and a tree of life. Of course, there are some key differences, because Revelation describes this paradise as a city built by God, called “New Jerusalem.”
Old Jerusalem and New Jerusalem
Jerusalem was likely gone by the time this book was written. In the decades after Jesus’ resurrection, violent revolutionaries tried and failed to seize control of Jerusalem back from the Romans. The Romans, tired of dealing with uprisings, leveled the city and forbade anyone from living there.
Both Eden and Jerusalem were supposed to be the epicenter of God’s people, expanding His love to the world. But both became ground zero for the most impactful sins in history (the first sin and the execution of Jesus).
Both Eden and Jerusalem failed to live up to their calling. And both, in the time of the author of Revelation, had been wiped out from the consequences of their sin. But throughout the Bible, we see a theme of God’s life-giving presence bringing dead things back to life.
That’s probably one reason why the author is blending these two spaces into his account. It’s his ultimate way of communicating God’s power to heal, restore, and revive broken things.
God’s Not Done
The Bible doesn’t end with believers leaving earth behind.
Let’s clear up a common misconception about Revelation: The Bible doesn’t end with believers leaving earth behind. It ends with a new heaven and a new earth and God coming to live here. Like we’ve explored, it’s a renewal of this earth, the one beneath our feet right now.
And when you look at the whole biblical story, this makes perfect sense. There are dozens of Bible stories about God restoring broken people and making something new. So why shouldn’t He do the same thing with all of His creation?
This falls in line with the words of Jesus, who said in the Lord’s prayer,
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 NIV
Jesus taught His followers to pray for God’s reign to take shape here and now. And in the parables of Jesus, He taught that God’s kingdom (heaven) is something that grows, multiplies, and transforms—starting then and continuing into the future.
So when we read about the earth passing away, and a new earth coming in its place, this is the language of resurrection, not replacement. And like how Jesus returned, and promises His followers will return with Him, so too will all creation follow Christ into a new, restored life.
Why does this matter? Because it’s good to read this story with anticipation, but it’s wise to also read it as a guide for how to make earth look more like heaven today through generosity, care, and forgiveness.
The End of Suffering
The Bible ends with a promise that every form of pain will be undone. Death itself, the bad guy of the Bible who’s haunted the story since Genesis, is defeated.
Mourning, crying, and pain are not only removed, they’re described as “former things,” part of an old way that no longer exists. The message is clear: suffering doesn’t last forever.
Why Is This Story in the Bible?
Imagine how powerful this message would be to Christians thousands of years ago. Back then, there were only a few thousand of them, and they faced steady marginalization and sometimes intense persecution.
This is likely one reason why the book of Revelation doesn’t pull its punches. It’s brutal, describes horrible violence, and doesn’t flinch at suffering. That’s because it was written for people suffering, who knew the worst the world had to offer, and wondered if there was any hope.
This book insists that we can have hope. The message to the original audience was, “Yes, things are bad, and they may get worse. But God will help us make things right. Until then, we live in the last days with hope, courage, and confidence.”
What Does This Story Teach Us?
- God’s presence is the goal. The Bible ends with God dwelling with His people forever. Our deepest hope is to be fully known and fully with Him.
- Suffering will not last. Pain is real, but Revelation promises that it’s temporary. Death and sorrow don’t have the final word.
- Renewal is coming. The story of the new heaven and new earth shows us that God’s plan is not escape, but restoration.
- Jesus Christ is trustworthy. The one who began the story in creation is faithful to finish it with new creation.
Why Is This Story Important Today?
Have you ever wondered, “Will the world get better, or will it keep spiraling out of control?”
This story reminds us that the Bible closes with hope, not despair.
When life feels uncertain, it’s easy to think brokenness is permanent. You might see the worst life has to offer on your screen, or you might’ve experienced it first-hand. It’s easy to think that things will only ever get worse. But the way the Bible ends points us in a different direction. This story reminds us that the Bible closes with hope, not despair.
History isn’t spiraling out of control. It’s moving toward God’s renewal. Knowing that the final book of the Bible ends with a new heaven and a new earth gives us courage in the present.
The Holy Spirit works in us now, pointing us toward the healing and renewal that God will one day complete. So we ask God for strength and look for opportunities to live like Jesus. Every act of love, forgiveness, or justice we live out is a small glimpse of the world to come.
Common Questions About the New Heaven and New Earth
How does the Bible end?
The Bible ends with a vision in Revelation 21–22 of a new heaven and a new earth, where God dwells with His people and all suffering is gone.
What is the New Jerusalem?
The New Jerusalem is described as a holy city coming down from heaven. It represents God’s presence with His people, complete restoration, and eternal life in His kingdom.
Do Christians go to heaven or to a new earth?
Revelation’s picture is less about leaving earth and more about God renewing creation. Heaven and earth come together, and God lives with His people forever.
What’s the last sentence of the Bible?
The final words are: “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” Revelation 22:21 NIV
Reflect or Discuss
- Which part of the Bible’s ending gives you the most hope?
- How could the promise of a new heaven and new earth change the way you handle pain or loss today?
- What’s one way you can live this week as if God’s renewal is already breaking into your life?