Chapter 15—The Earth Made New

More Glorious Than We Can Imagine—The lion, we should much dread and fear here, will
then lie down with the lamb, and everything in the New Earth will be peace and harmony. The
trees of the New Earth will be straight and lofty, without deformity.

The saints will have crowns of glory upon their heads, and harps of gold in their hands. They will
play upon the golden harp, and sing redeeming love, and make melody unto God. Their former
trials and suffering in this world will be forgotten and lost amid the glories of the New Earth. Let
all that is beautiful in our earthly home remind us of the crystal river and green fields, the waving
trees and the living fountains, the shining city and the white-robed singers, of our heavenly home
—that world of beauty which no artist can picture and no mortal tongue describe. Let your
imagination picture the home of the saved, and remember that it will be more glorious than your
brightest imagination can portray. Human language is inadequate to describe the reward of the
righteous. It will be known only to those who behold it.—Maranatha, 355. A fear of making the
future inheritance seem too material has led many to spiritualize away the very truths which lead
us to look upon it as our home. Christ assured His disciples that He went to prepare mansions for
them in the Father's house. Those who accept the teachings of God's Word will not be wholly
ignorant concerning the heavenly abode. And yet, “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have
entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.” 1
Corinthians 2:9. Human language is inadequate to describe the reward of the righteous. It will be
known only to those who behold it. No finite mind can comprehend the glory of the Paradise of
God.—The Great Controversy, 674, 675. Garden of Eden Restored—The Garden of Eden
remained upon the earth long after man had become an outcast from its pleasant paths. The fallen
race were long permitted to gaze upon the home of innocence, their entrance barred only by the
watching angels. At the cherubim-guarded gate of Paradise the divine glory was revealed. Hither
came Adam and his sons to worship God. Here they renewed their vows of obedience to that law
the transgression of which had banished them from Eden. When the tide of iniquity overspread
the world, and the wickedness of men determined their destruction by a flood of waters, the hand
that had planted Eden withdrew it from the earth. But in the final restitution, when there shall be
“a new heaven and a new earth” (Revelation 21:1), it is to be restored more gloriously adorned
than at the beginning. Then they that have kept God's commandments shall breathe in immortal
vigor beneath the tree of life; and through unending ages the inhabitants of sinless worlds shall
behold, in that garden of delight, a sample of the perfect work of God's creation, untouched by
the curse of sin—a sample of what the whole earth would have become had man but fulfilled the
Creator's glorious plan.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 62. The Redeemed Will Grow Physically to
Their “Full Stature.”—All blemishes and deformities are left in the grave. Restored to the tree
of life in the long-lost Eden, the redeemed will “grow up” (Malachi 4:2) to the full stature of the
race in its primeval glory. The last lingering traces of the curse of sin will be removed, and
Christ's faithful ones will appear in “the beauty of the Lord our God,” in mind and soul and body
reflecting the perfect image of their Lord. Oh, wonderful redemption! long talked of, long hoped
for, contemplated with eager anticipation, but never fully understood.—The Great Controversy,
645. Mrs. White's Vision of the New Earth—With Jesus at our head we all descended from the
City down to this earth, on a great and mighty mountain, which could not bear Jesus up, and it
parted asunder, and there was a mighty plain. Then we looked up and saw the great City, with
twelve foundations, twelve gates, three on each side, and an angel at each gate. We all cried out,
“The City, the great City, it's coming! It's coming down from God out of heaven!” And it came
and settled on the place where we stood. Then we began to look at the glorious things outside of
the City. There I saw most beautiful houses, that had the appearance of silver, supported by four
pillars set with pearls, most glorious to behold, which were to be inhabited by the saints, and in
them was a golden shelf. I saw many of the saints go into the houses, take off their glittering
crowns and lay them on the shelf, then go out into the field by the houses to do something with
the earth; not as we have to do with the earth here. A glorious light shone all about their heads,
and they were continually offering praises to God. And I saw another field full of all kinds of
flowers, and as I plucked them I cried out, They will never fade. Next I saw a field of tall grass
most glorious to behold; it was living green, and had a reflection of silver and gold, as it waved
to the glory of King Jesus. Then we entered a field full of all kinds of beasts—the lion, the lamb,
the leopard and the wolf, all together in perfect union. We passed through the midst of them, and
they followed on peaceably after. Then we entered a wood, not like the dark woods we have
here; but light and beautiful. The branches of the trees waved to and fro, and we all cried out,
“We will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods.” We passed through the woods,
for we were on our way to Mount Zion. As we were traveling along, we met a company who
were also gazing at the glories of the place. I noticed red as a border on their garments; their
crowns were brilliant; their robes were pure white. As we greeted them I asked Jesus who they
were. He said they were martyrs that had been slain for Him. With them was an innumerable
company of little ones; they had a hem of red on their garments also. Mount Zion was just before
us, and on the mount was a building which looked to me like a temple, and about it were seven
other mountains, on which grew roses and lilies. And I saw the little ones climb, or if they chose,
use their little wings and fly to the top of the mountains, and pluck the never-fading flowers.
There were all kinds of trees to beautify the place; the box, the pine, the fir, the oil, the myrtle,
the pomegranate, and the fig-tree, bowed down with the weight of its timely figs, that made the
place all over glorious. And as we were about to enter the temple, Jesus raised His lovely voice
and said, Only the 144,000 enter this place, and we shouted Alleluia. The temple was supported
by seven pillars, all of transparent gold, set with pearls most glorious. The things I saw there I
cannot describe. Oh that I could talk in the language of Canaan, then could I tell a little of the
glory of the better world. I saw there tables of stone in which the names of 144,000 were
engraved in letters of gold. After we beheld the glory of the temple, we went out, and Jesus left
us, and went to the City. Soon we heard His lovely voice again, saying, “Come, My people, you
have come out of great tribulation, and done My will; suffered for Me; come in to supper; for I
will gird Myself and serve you.” We shouted Alleluia, glory, and entered into the City. And I
saw a table of pure silver, it was many miles in length, yet our eyes could extend over it. I saw
the fruit of the tree of life, the manna, almonds, figs, pomegranates, grapes, and many other kinds
of fruit. I asked Jesus to let me eat of the fruit. He said, Not now. Those who eat of the fruit of
this land, go back to earth no more. But in a little while, if faithful, you shall both eat of the fruit
of the tree of life, and drink of the water of the fountain. And He said, You must go back to earth
again, and relate to others what I have revealed to you. Then an angel bore me gently down to
this dark world.—Spiritual Gifts 2:52-55. In Heaven, All Is Purity and Peace—Through Christ
alone can you make sure of heaven, where all is purity, holiness, peace, and blessedness, where
there are glories that mortal lips cannot describe. The nearest we can come to a description of the
reward that awaits the overcomer is to say that it is a far more exceeding and eternal weight of
glory. It will be an eternity of bliss, a blessed eternity, unfolding new glories throughout the
ceaseless ages.—Testimonies for the Church 8:131. No Tree of Knowledge in the New Earth
—Not all the conditions of that first school of Eden will be found in the school of the future life.
No tree of knowledge of good and evil will afford opportunity for temptation. No tempter is
there, no possibility of wrong. Every character has withstood the testing of evil, and none are
longer susceptible to its power.—Education, 302. No Sea—The sea divides friends. It is a barrier
between us and those whom we love. Our associations are broken up by the broad, fathomless
ocean. In the New Earth there will be no more sea, and there shall pass there “no galley with
oars.” In the past many who have loved and served God have been bound by chains to their seats
in galleys, compelled to serve the purpose of cruel, hardhearted men. The Lord has looked upon
their suffering in sympathy and compassion. Thank God, in the earth made new there will be no
fierce torrents, no engulfing ocean, no restless, murmuring waves.—Ms 33, 1911 quoted in
Maranatha, 351. No Tears or Funerals—In the home of the redeemed there will be no tears, no
funeral trains, no badges of mourning. “The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that
dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.” Isaiah 33:24. One rich tide of happiness will flow
and deepen as eternity rolls on.... Let us consider most earnestly the blessed hereafter. Let our
faith pierce through every cloud of darkness and behold Him who died for the sins of the world.
He has opened the gates of paradise to all who receive and believe on Him. To them He gives
power to become the sons and daughters of God. Let the afflictions which pain us so grievously
become instructive lessons, teaching us to press forward toward the mark of the prize of our high
calling in Christ. Let us be encouraged by the thought that the Lord is soon to come. Let this
hope gladden our hearts.... We are homeward bound. He who loved us so much as to die for us
hath builded for us a city. The New Jerusalem is our place of rest. There will be no sadness in the
city of God. No wail of sorrow, no dirge of crushed hopes and buried affections, will evermore
be heard. Soon the garments of heaviness will be changed for the wedding garment. Soon we
shall witness the coronation of our King. Those whose lives have been hidden with Christ, those
who on this earth have fought the good fight of faith, will shine forth with the Redeemer's glory
in the kingdom of God.—Testimonies for the Church 9:286, 287 quoted in Maranatha, 352. No
Marriages or Births—There are men today who express their belief that there will be marriages
and births in the New Earth, but those who believe the Scriptures cannot accept such doctrines.
The doctrine that children will be born in the New Earth is not a part of the “sure word of
prophecy.” The words of Christ are too plain to be misunderstood. They should forever settle the
question of marriages and births in the New Earth. Neither those who shall be raised from the
dead, nor those who shall be translated without seeing death, will marry or be given in marriage.
They will be as the angels of God, members of the royal family.—Ms 28, 1904 quoted in
Maranatha, 369. No Night or Need of Rest—In the City of God “there shall be no night.” None
will need or desire repose. There will be no weariness in doing the will of God and offering
praise to His name. We shall ever feel the freshness of the morning and shall ever be far from its
close. “And they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light.”
Revelation 22:5. The light of the sun will be superseded by a radiance which is not painfully
dazzling, yet which immeasurably surpasses the brightness of our noontide. The glory of God
and the Lamb floods the Holy City with unfading light. The redeemed walk in the sunless glory
of perpetual day.—The Great Controversy, 676. No Temple, But Face-To-Face Communion
—“I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.”
Revelation 21:22. The people of God are privileged to hold open communion with the Father and
the Son. “Now we see through a glass, darkly.” 1 Corinthians 13:12. We behold the image of
God reflected, as in a mirror, in the works of nature and in His dealings with men; but then we
shall see Him face to face, without a dimming veil between. We shall stand in His presence and
behold the glory of His countenance.—The Great Controversy, 676, 677. No Pain, Sickness, or
Death—Oh, I long for Jesus to come. I long for that home in the kingdom of glory where there
will be no sickness, no sorrow, no pain, no death.—Letter 64a, 1889 quoted in Manuscript
Releases 10:383. No Contention or Discord—No voices of contention mar the sweet and
perfect peace of heaven. Its inhabitants know no sorrow, no grief, no tears. All is in perfect
harmony, in perfect order and perfect bliss.... Heaven is a home where sympathy is alive in every
heart, expressed in every look. Love reigns there. There are no jarring elements, no discord or
contentions or war of words.—Letter 30, 1882 quoted in Last Day Events, 296. The Sabbath
Will Continue to Be Observed in the New Earth—I was shown that the law of God would
stand fast forever, and exist in the new earth to all eternity. At the creation, when the foundations
of the earth were laid, the sons of God looked with admiration upon the work of the Creator, and
all the heavenly host shouted for joy. It was then that the foundation of the Sabbath was laid. At
the close of the six days of creation, God rested on the seventh day from all His work which He
had made; and He blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because that in it He had rested from
all His work. The Sabbath was instituted in Eden before the fall, and was observed by Adam and
Eve, and all the heavenly host. God rested on the seventh day, and blessed and hallowed it. I saw
that the Sabbath never will be done away; but that the redeemed saints, and all the angelic host,
will observe it in honor of the great Creator to all eternity.—Early Writings, 217. The Sabbath
was not for Israel merely, but for the world. It had been made known to man in Eden, and, like
the other precepts of the Decalogue, it is of imperishable obligation. Of that law of which the
fourth commandment forms a part, Christ declares, “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one
tittle shall in no wise pass from the law.” Matthew 5:18. So long as the heavens and the earth
endure, the Sabbath will continue as a sign of the Creator's power. And when Eden shall bloom
on earth again, God's holy rest day will be honored by all beneath the sun. “From one sabbath to
another” the inhabitants of the glorified new earth shall ... “worship before me, saith the
Lord.”—The Desire of Ages, 283 quoted in The Faith I Live By, 37. Communion With the
Faithful of All Ages—There the redeemed shall know, even as also they are known. The loves
and sympathies which God Himself has planted in the soul shall there find truest and sweetest
exercise. The pure communion with holy beings, the harmonious social life with the blessed
angels and with the faithful ones of all ages who have washed their robes and made them white
in the blood of the Lamb, the sacred ties that bind together “the whole family in heaven and
earth” (Ephesians 3:15)—these help to constitute the happiness of the redeemed.—The Great
Controversy, 677. The Happiness of Others Is the Joy of the Redeemed—Everything in
heaven is noble and elevated. All seek the interest and happiness of others. No one devotes
himself to looking out and caring for self. It is the chief joy of all holy beings to witness the joy
and happiness of those around them.—Testimonies for the Church 2:239. God's People Are at
Home in the New Earth—In the Bible the inheritance of the saved is called “a country.”
Hebrews 11:14-16. There the heavenly Shepherd leads His flock to fountains of living waters.
The tree of life yields its fruit every month, and the leaves of the tree are for the service of the
nations. There are ever-flowing streams, clear as crystal, and beside them waving trees cast their
shadows upon the paths prepared for the ransomed of the Lord. There the wide-spreading plains
swell into hills of beauty, and the mountains of God rear their lofty summits. On those peaceful
plains, beside those living streams, God's people, so long pilgrims and wanderers, shall find a
home. “My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet
resting places.” “Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy
borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.” “They shall build houses,
and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build,
and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: ... Mine elect shall long enjoy the work
of their hands.” Isaiah 32:18; 60:18; Isaiah 65:21, 22. There, “the wilderness and the solitary
place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.” “Instead of
the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree.” “The
wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; ... and a little
child shall lead them.” “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,” saith the Lord.
Isaiah 35:1; 55:13; Isaiah 11:6, 9.—The Great Controversy, 675, 676. The Redeemed Will Live
Active, Purposeful Lives—In the earth made new the redeemed will engage in the occupations
and pleasures that brought happiness to Adam and Eve in the beginning. The Eden life will be
lived, the life in garden and field. “They shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall
plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not
plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of My people, and Mine elect shall
long enjoy the work of their hands.”—Prophets and Kings, 730, 731 quoted in The Adventist
Home, 549. There every power will be developed, every capability increased. The grandest
enterprises will be carried forward, the loftiest aspirations will be reached, the highest ambitions
realized. And still there will arise new heights to surmount, new wonders to admire, new truths
to comprehend, fresh objects to call forth the powers of body and mind and soul.—Education,
306 quoted in The Adventist Home, 549.