The New Heaven, the New Earth, and the End of the Sea
- Serge Da Rosa
- Oct 5
- 5 min read
John’s vision in Revelation 21 opens with staggering words:
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.” (Rev. 21:1)
Many have taken this literally. They picture the annihilation of the universe, the stars falling, the planet burning, the oceans evaporating, and God replacing it all with a new landscape. But such a view misunderstands the symbolic and covenantal nature of John’s vision.
Revelation was not written to declare the destruction of creation. It was written to declare the end of an age; the passing away of the old covenant temple order, and the arrival of a new covenant creation in Christ.
The Temple as Heaven, Earth, and Sea
To unlock John’s vision, we must understand how first-century Jews viewed their temple. The temple wasn't simply a building; it was their entire world.
The Outer Court symbolized the earth, where the people dwelt.
The Bronze Sea (1 Kings 7:23–26), an immense water basin in the courtyard, symbolized the sea—chaos, separation, and the realm of those kept at a distance.
The Holy Place symbolized the heavens, where the priests ministered before God with lampstand, bread, and incense.
The Holy of Holies symbolized the highest heaven, God’s throne room itself.
This was explicitly taught in their time. The Jewish historian Josephus (first century) said the temple was built as a representation of the cosmos. He explained that the veil symbolized the heavens, the lampstand represented the planets, the twelve loaves represented the months of the year, and the priestly garments were embroidered with cosmic imagery. Philo, another Jewish writer, said much the same: the temple was a visible picture of the invisible order of creation.
In other words, the temple was a covenantal heaven and earth, complete with a sea. When John says the first heaven and earth passed away, he is speaking about the temple world of the old covenant, not the destruction of the universe.
New Heaven and Earth as Covenant Language
Scripture itself supports this. Over and over, “heaven and earth” are used not for the cosmos, but for the covenant order centered on Israel’s law and temple.
Deuteronomy 31:28 — Moses calls “heaven and earth” to witness against Israel, clearly referring to covenant witnesses, not sky and soil.
Isaiah 51:15–16 — God speaks of planting the heavens and laying the earth’s foundations in connection with giving His law.
Matthew 5:18 — Jesus declares, “Until heaven and earth pass away, not a jot or tittle will pass from the Law until all is fulfilled.” If “heaven and earth” meant the physical world, then the Law must remain forever. But Jesus meant the Law would remain until the covenantal heaven and earth of the temple system passed away.
Thus, when John saw the first heaven and earth vanish, he was describing the end of the old covenant order tied to the temple.
The Sea: The Realm of the Outsider
But what of the sea?
Throughout Scripture, the sea represents chaos, separation, and those “outside” God’s covenantal life.
Isaiah 57:20 — “The wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot rest.”
Daniel 7:2–3 — Four beasts (empires) rise out of the sea, symbols of nations hostile to God.
Revelation 13:1 — The beast arises from the sea, born from chaos and rebellion.
In the temple, the bronze sea embodied this reality. It was the barrier between those who were far off and the God who dwelt within. You could not approach His presence without passing the waters of separation.
So when John says “the sea was no more,” he is not declaring that God drained the oceans. He is declaring that there are no more outsiders. There is no longer a realm of separation. Christ has reconciled all.
Christ, the End of Separation
Paul says it plainly:
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility… that He might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross.” (Ephesians 2:13–16)
This is what John saw: the sea, the great symbol of distance and exclusion, is gone. All are brought near. The Gentile, the unclean, the outsider—all reconciled. The dividing wall has fallen.
No Temple, for God Is the Temple
John presses further:
“And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.” (Revelation 21:22)
The temple itself disappears in the vision because God and the Lamb are the temple. No more holy of holies hidden behind a veil, no more outer courts for some and inner courts for others. God’s dwelling is now with humanity.
This fulfills the prophetic promise: “Behold, the dwelling of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God” (Rev. 21:3).
The new heaven and earth is not about new geography but about new access. The old temple world has passed. The new creation temple is here, where all are brought into union with God.
Conclusion: No Outsiders Left
The passing of heaven and earth and the end of the sea in Revelation 21 is not about world destruction, but about covenantal transformation. The temple-world of heaven, earth, and sea, the old order of separation, has passed away.
Now, in Christ, there are no outsiders left. The sea is gone. All are brought near. The dwelling place of God is with humanity, and He Himself is our temple.
This is the vision John saw: the new creation temple, not a building of stone, but a living reality where God and man are one.
Get The Book: "Rethinking The End Times"
By Serge Da Rosa
About the Author
Serge Da Rosa is co-founder of Urban Eden Community, a ministry dedicated to helping people discover their God-given identity and walk in the freedom of the new creation. Alongside his wife, Kristy, Serge facilitates weekly gatherings in Tulsa, Oklahoma that center around authentic connection, growth, and kingdom expression outside the walls of traditional religious systems.
Serge’s passion is to see people awakened to their union with God. Through weekly community gatherings, work in addiction recovery, community events, writing, teaching, and the Kings And Priests Podcast, he speaks into themes of identity, grace, purpose, kingdom and governance with clarity, depth, and hope.
Whether through a conversation, a gathering, or a written word, Serge’s message remains the same: You are in perfect union with God, empowered with God's Kingdom.
To learn more, connect with Serge, or support the mission, visit www.UrbanEdenCmty.com
Email us: urbanedencmty@gmail.com
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