Creation, renewal of

God's creation, spoilt by sin, will one day be completely renewed. The old order will pass away and a new everlasting order established.

The renewal of creation

The passing away of the old order

2 Peter 3:10–12 See also Psalm 102:25–26; Isaiah 34:4, Isaiah 51:6; Matthew 5:18, Matthew 24:35; Revelation 6:14, Revelation 21:4

But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt in the heat.

The expectancy of nature

Romans 8:19–22 See also Genesis 3:17–19, Genesis 5:29

The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time.

Jesus Christ's destruction of all his enemies

1 Corinthians 15:24–28 See also Psalm 110:1; Acts 2:34–35; Hebrews 1:13, Hebrews 10:13

Then the end will come, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father after He has destroyed all dominion, authority, and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For “God has put everything under His feet.” Now when it says that everything has been put under Him, this clearly does not include the One who put everything under Him. And when all things have been subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will be made subject to Him who put all things under Him, so that God may be all in all.

The new heavens and new earth

Revelation 21:1–2 See also Isaiah 65:17, Isaiah 66:22; Acts 3:21; Hebrews 11:10, Hebrews 11:16, Hebrews 12:22; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 3:12, Revelation 21:3–5, Revelation 21:10

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

The purity of the new creation

Revelation 21:27 See also Psalm 37:20; Isaiah 52:1; Joel 3:17; Revelation 20:10, Revelation 22:14–15

But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who practices an abomination or a lie, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

The creation of the new humanity

The new birth

2 Corinthians 5:17 See also John 3:3, John 3:5–8; Romans 6:4; Galatians 6:15; Ephesians 2:15; Titus 3:5

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!

Renewal in God's image

Colossians 3:10 See also Ephesians 4:24

and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

A new heart and a new spirit

Ezekiel 36:26 “new” refers to the work of the Holy Spirit in renewing Christians as they believe in Jesus Christ. This renewing will be complete in the new creation. See also Psalm 51:10; Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 11:19, Ezekiel 18:31; 2 Corinthians 4:16; Colossians 3:1

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

A new mind

Ephesians 4:23 See also Romans 12:1–2

to be renewed in the spirit of your minds;

A new song

Revelation 5:9–10 See also Psalm 33:3, Psalm 40:3, Psalm 144:9, Psalm 149:1; Isaiah 42:10; Revelation 14:3, Revelation 15:3–4

And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign upon the earth.”

The future glorification of humanity

The desire for a new body

Romans 8:23–25 See also Romans 8:17–18; 2 Corinthians 5:1–5

Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see? But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently.

The resurrection of a new body

Romans 8:11 See also Job 19:25–27; Daniel 12:2–3; John 5:28–29; Acts 24:15

And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.

The nature of the resurrection body

1 Corinthians 15:42–54 See also Philippians 3:21

The absence of sorrow and pain

Revelation 21:4 See also Isaiah 25:7–8, Isaiah 35:10, Isaiah 51:11, Isaiah 60:20, Isaiah 65:19; Revelation 7:17

‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”

A new name

Isaiah 56:5 See also Isaiah 62:2, Isaiah 65:15; Revelation 2:17, Revelation 3:12

I will give them, in My house and within My walls, a memorial and a name better than that of sons and daughters. I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.

A new home

John 14:2 See also 2 Corinthians 5:1

In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?

God will dwell with his people

Revelation 21:3 See also Ezekiel 48:35; Zechariah 2:10

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.