Part 3 The Millennium New Heaven & New Earth
Parenthetical vs. Chronological
It seems clear that John is, as much as practical, writing chronologically. But when simultaneous or near simultaneous events are occurring, John is forced to write “parentheticals.” A parenthetical is just like it sounds. It’s something you might typically see described in parentheses (just as we have been doing for years to fill in details). It is to fill-in-the-blanks, as it were. This is not unusual. We see it in more than just John’s writing. In fact, we see it in works of fiction, in television and film all the time. John can either push forward, overlapping details in a dry and tedious manner, or he can give the narrative and go back in fill in the holes. The latter, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is what John does.
A dry and clinical detail would have satisfied many a theologian but then the Lord would have to add extra additional blessing to the reader for sitting through a many times longer, clinical dissertation vacant of any passion for the sake of conveying details in courtroom fashion. While painfully accurate as to sequence, we must admit this would have engaged few to the extent that lives would change. That sense of urgency and passion would become void.
Of course, we can merely guess upon the Holy Spirit's motivations for laying out Scripture in the manner given. Therefore, over the centuries we have been forced to examine the narrative and as best as possible, try to ascertain which came first, and what was simultaneous to what, and where John might have been going with, “Oh! And while that was going on, remember I told you…” As formerly noted, in old westerns this would be understood as, “Meanwhile, back at the ranch...” According to the MacArthur Study Bible, the above Chart (Table 1) illustrates what is typically understood to be a linear Chronological time-line, with the parenthetical portions broken up as typically taught in Bible Colleges.
If you find yourself wondering how it is determined which is which, you are not alone. The same rules we apply with respect to hermeneutics elsewhere in scripture, we apply here. Many things can come into play. Aside from what is outright said, there is grammar, context, setting and synthesis (what Scripture says elsewhere) that may move the time table. Synthesis is simply the understanding that the same God inspires all scripture; therefore it all hangs together without error or contradiction. Any contradictions one may perceive are only apparent contradictions and the failing to comprehend or resolve is on our end. In understanding the interpretation presented here, for instance, it is important to use synthesis in understanding the same Holy Spirit who God-breathed John is the same for Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah... all the books of the Bible.
However, that Holy Spirit did permit each writer's “voice” or personality to color their writing. Therefore it does not hurt to be familiar with John's other books. It is with these ends in mind that we will second-guess the timing of the New Heaven and New Earth. We will second-guess our presumptions about Revelation 20 as chronological simply because of where it rests in the Book of Revelation. We will examine the order of events and reason through the lens of context and synthesis by looking at books outside of Revelation as well. Revelation 21 is, after all, a quote from Isaiah 65. 2 Peter 3 comes from Isaiah as well. But we will get there eventually.
Okay, so we are already making some assumptions here. This entire argument assumes a literal view of understanding prophecy. And not just in the Book of Revelation, but Isaiah, Ezekiel, Zechariah, Daniel, Jeremiah and even Jesus’ Olivet Discourse in Matthew and Luke. Not to mention Gabriel’s visit with Mary. We wacky pre-millennial types assume the Bible says what it means and means what it says.
Frankly, the other side (allegorical) of the argument frightens me.
The non-literal view tells me that I can never know exactly what I can take to heart and what is simply a nebulous, spiritual kind of bible-talk. That there is no hermeneutic I can apply to unravel what is true and what is hyperbole. What is real and what is figurative language. I mean, did Jesus really die on a cross for my sins, or does that simply mean he was willing to give my salvation his all; and he did rise from the dead, but only in a spiritual sense? Is the millennium period a literal thousand year reign of Christ on earth prior to us moving on into eternity future, or is a thousand year reign just mean we go on to live happily ever after? And does eternal life mean “eternal” or is it simply just for so long a time it will feel eternal?
That is my emotional reaction. Intellectually, I can distinguish between symbolism and literalism by way of context and words such as “like” and “as.” His eyes were like a flaming fire. His feet were as bronze. If Jesus spoke a parable he told his disciples it was a parable and then he explained the meaning. Thus the favored rule of thumb: Interpret Normally.
As stated before, this is not the place to engage this argument. Yes, the Old Testament spoke of the coming Messiah sitting on a throne on some future earth and reigning there. Some say this is a figure of speech. Well, it did not seem so to me when I read in Luke chapter one of the angel Gabriel’s visit with Mary when he said,
“32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” − Luke 1:32, 33
So it would seem to me Jesus will sit on the throne of David in Jerusalem (David’s throne was never in Heaven) and that, thousand years or no, Jesus will never abdicate the throne. His kingdom will never end, even after the Judgment.
Another assumption is that one takes a literal view of the time referred to by Jeremiah as “the time of Jacob’s (Israel’s) Trouble.” Daniel’s 70 Weeks prophecy brings us up to the time when the Messiah is cut off and then the prophetic clock stops for Israel. We are living in what Paul referred to as a former Mystery. This mystery is “Christ in you, the hope of glory” and unknown to the Old Testament saints. Daniel’s 70th week, the time of Jacob’s trouble, begins in earnest when “the fullness of the gentiles comes in.”
Further, for the purpose of this argument, we are not going to directly address pre-, mid-, pre-wrath, pan- or post-tribulation raptures. The issue addressed here are events at the very end and following the time Jesus called the Great Tribulation during his discourse on the Mount of Olives. As the Great Tribulation reveals the conditions of the world as radically different than from where we now sit, it would behoove us to look at the setting for context.
When Jesus returns to set his foot upon the Mount of Olives, what are the conditions?
Let’s address the nature of this time so well chronicled in Revelation. It is to be a time of utter and complete devastation when the Lamb of God opens the Seal Judgments, followed by still more devastation with the Trumpet Judgments and concluding with the Bowl Judgments:
World-wide war and slaughter. Rev. 6:4
Famine throughout the earth. Rev. 6:5-6
¼ of humanity (or about 2 Billion) dies. Rev. 6:8
Mega earthquake Rev. 6
Stars of heaven fall to the earth. Rev. 6:12-14
Every mountain and island moved out of its place.
Great hail and storm destroys 1/3 of trees and green grass. Rev. 8:7
Asteroid strikes the sea and destroys 1/3 of sea creatures and ships. Rev. 8:8
1/3 of fresh water becomes undrinkable. Rev. 8:11
Fire, volcanic smoke and brimstone are showered on people. Rev. 9:17-18
Another Great earthquake destroys 1/10 of Jerusalem and kills 7,000. Rev. 11:13
An infectious disease that causes sores on the body strikes both men and animals worldwide. Rev. 16:2
The sea becomes fouled so that all sea creatures die. Rev. 16:3
The remaining fresh water becomes fouled as well. Rev. 16:4
The sun’s heat is intensified and scorches the earth. Rev. 16:8-9
The world gathers for the final battle of Armageddon. Rev. 16:12-14
Another mega earthquake rocks cities around the world. Rev. 16:18
This list is incomplete. Another 2 Billion die in the Trumpet Judgments, etc. There is also 130 pound hail that falls and trashes the earth, for example. So the entire planet is decimated by the time Jesus returns to the earth. All the water will have turned to blood! Not to mention what is brought upon the earth by man, and Antichrist, depending upon the nature of the wars. Perhaps germ, chemical and/or nuclear contamination. So this is what at first brought me to my original quandary.
In the unlivable condition the world will be in by the Second Coming, why and how would Jesus wait to renew creation?
Consider the order of events from the lips of Jesus in Matthew 19:28:
28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. -Matthew 19:28
The "regeneration" of creation happens when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, which is at the Second Coming! Not a thousand years later.
And if the Lord cleans up the mess himself, would that not be making a new heaven and earth? Various scriptures we will see describe the paradise of this millennial kingdom. Are we to believe Jesus will do just enough to clean it up, or just enough to make it paradise enough or Eden enough for us, but not go “all out” until at the end of this idyllic period? And then if the earth is restored, why create a new heaven and earth? His restoration wasn’t good enough?
Revelation 21:1 says:
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away”
The word “first” in this verse is πρῶτος (‘prōtos’). It is a contracted superlative meaning foremost (in time, place, order or importance). It is where we get our word for prototype. In this verse the original earth had passed away. Not the 2nd earth or (if you follow Gap Theory) the 3rd earth. We still now reside in the original, prototype earth at the time we get our new heaven and new earth. Therefore, there is no second remaking in between. We will examine this with Old Testament scriptures (and we shall later). So we also must conclude that the earth in existence up to the narrative of Revelation 21 has been the first, original prototype.
Let's also consider “new.” καινον (‘kainos’) esp. with respect to “freshness.” Does this always mean obliteration of the old in favor of the new? Consider some examples for the word kainos:
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. −Gal. 6:15
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. −Eph. 4:24
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I am making all things new. −Rev. 21:5
Revelation 21:5 reads like a process. So clearly in order for there to be a new heaven and new earth, we need not see the complete and total obliteration of the old for there to be a remake ‘kainos’ or refreshing.
And just as we become new (kainos) creatures (creations)
in Christ and we are not annihilated first.
In Part 4 we will look at the New Heaven and New Earth process within the scriptures.