we find the 'second' heaven and earth that the apostle had in mind in

Revelation 21, is called 'new' likewise:

'And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the former heaven and the

former earth had passed away; and there was no more sea' (Rev. 21:1).

We immediately start the inquiry, to what does the apostle refer, when

he says 'the former', if he has in mind 'the former of two'?  He cannot refer

to Genesis 1:1, for a secondary and lesser 'heaven' intervenes, and is called

raqia, 'an expansion' (firmament, Authorized Version).  The 'former heaven

and earth' must be the reconstituted realm prepared, during the time covered

by Genesis 1:3 to 2:3 for Adam.  Isaiah describes this 'heaven' as having

been stretched out as a curtain, and 'as a tent to dwell in' (Isa. 40:22).

The Hebrew word translated 'tent' is ohel, rendered frequently 'tabernacle',

and this tabernacle was erected at the command of God, that He might 'dwell',

Hebrew shaken (Exod. 25:8), in the 'tabernacle', Hebrew mishkan (Exod. 25:9).

Because Abraham looked for the heavenly Jerusalem, he too was willing to

dwell in a 'tabernacle', anticipating the purpose of the New Jerusalem, when

the Millennial reign is over, for John follows his reference to the new

heaven and the new earth by saying:

'And I ... saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out

of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a

great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with

men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God

Himself shall be with them, and be their God' (Rev. 21:2,3).

If this passage stood alone, we might wonder whether John had retraced

his steps and after speaking of the new heaven and earth, left that, the

ultimate goal of the ages, to return to the Millennial Jerusalem.  This,

however, cannot be allowed, as John is but echoing in connection with

the heavenly city, what Isaiah long before had written concerning the earthly

city.  Isaiah 65, 66 and Revelation 21 form a threefold cord not easily

broken by an antagonist, and not wished to be broken by any believer who

holds the Scriptures in reverence.

Isaiah 65:17,18 places the newly -created heavens and earth over

against the newly -created Jerusalem, thus:

A

For, behold I create.

B

New heavens and a new earth.

C

Former not remembered.

Glad news at mention of.

A

That which I create.

B

C

A rejoicing.

Her people a joy.

Both the new heaven and earth and Jerusalem are 'created' and so John speaks

of the holy city as 'New Jerusalem', but only when it is seen or spoken of as

'descending out of heaven from God' (Rev. 3:12; 21:2).

The second reference by Isaiah to the new heavens and the new earth is

in Isaiah 66:22: