By Dan Maines

Heaven and Earth Three Entities

When we read about Heaven and Earth in the Bible, we cannot assume it's speaking of the actual Heaven and Earth. The bible describes Heaven and Earth three different ways.

1. The physical creation (Genesis 1:1) This one would never pass away

2. Heaven and Earth, Babylon in the 6th century B.C. (Isaiah 13:1, 13; Haggai 2:6-7) Had already passed away as well as more.

3. The one that would soon pass away and be made new was Old Covenant biblical Judaism (Deuteronomy 32:1; Isaiah 1:2-3; 51:13-16; Hebrews 12:26-27).

The "new heaven and new earth" is not a re-creation of the physical universe. It's the complete arrival of the new covenantal order on Planet Earth. And its Holy City, the New Jerusalem, is the ultimate reality, the ultimate joy, and beloved community for God's overcoming people here on this earth.

Genesis 1:1 NASB

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Isaiah 13:13 NASB 13 Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, And the earth will be shaken from its place At the fury of the Lord of armies In the day of His burning anger.

HOW DO WE KNOW THIS IS BABYLON?

Isaiah 13:1NASB Prophecies about Babylon 13 The pronouncement concerning Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw:

Haggai 2:6-7 NASB 6 For this is what the Lord of armies says: 'Once more in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land. 7 I will shake all the nations; and they will come with the wealth of all nations, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the Lord of armies.

Deuteronomy 32:1 NASB The Song of Moses 32 "Listen, you heavens, and I will speak; And let the earth hear the words of my mouth!

Isaiah 1:2-3 NASB 2 Listen, heavens, and hear, earth; For the Lord has spoken: "Sons I have raised and brought up, But they have revolted against Me. 3 An ox knows its owner, And a donkey its master's manger, But Israel does not know, My people do not understand."

Isaiah 51:13-16 NASB 13 That you have forgotten the Lord your Maker, Who stretched out the heavens And laid the foundations of the earth, That you fear continually all day long because of the fury of the oppressor, As he makes ready to destroy? And where is the rage of the oppressor?

14 The exile will soon be set free, and will not die in the dungeon, nor will his bread be lacking. 15 For I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar (the Lord of armies is His name). 16 And I have put My words in your mouth and have covered you with the shadow of My hand, to establish the heavens, to found the earth, and to say to Zion, 'You are My people.'"

Hebrews 12:26-27 NASB 26 And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven." 27 This expression, "Yet once more," denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.