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NASB | Revelation 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Revelation 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away (vanished), and there is no longer any sea. [Is 65:17; 66:22] |
Subject: Text out of context for our feelings? |
Bible Note: Greetings CDBJ! Yes, I would say that it is also safe to assume that there is anguish in heaven before the appearance of the new heavens and new earth as spoken of in Rev. 21:1. The source of this anguish, as felt in heaven, is this current world and its desires (1 Cor. 7:31; 1 John 2:17), the tribulation, and the wrath of God, as well as what has already taken place (Hebrews 11; Rev. 6:9-10) in this world, what is taking place in this world (Acts 11:19), and what will take place, as witnessed by the great cloud of witnesses in heaven (Hebrews 12:1; Rev. 7:9,10). I believe that when believers die, we go to be with the Lord. We will be secure with the Lord, but that does not mean that heaven will be an entirely blissful place without any anxiety, since we also have to look forward to judgment (1 Cor. 3:13-15; 2 Cor. 5:10) based on what we have done after we have been saved. We know that war has happened in heaven before (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-19; Luke 10:18) and will happen again (Rev. 12:7; 19:11). However, being in heaven is much more desirable than being on earth (Psalm 73:25; 1 Corinthians 2:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:2), and being with the Lord above all! (2 Corinthians 5:6) But I do not believe that the completely blissful and worshipful experience of Rev. 21:4 (and our emotional response) will not happen until the events of the Day of the Lord have taken place. Blessings to you, Makarios |