The True Meaning of the “New Heaven and New Earth”
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” — Revelation 21:1
Today, we would like to examine the true meaning of the “New Heaven and New Earth” prophesied in the Book of Revelation. First, let us look back to the time of the Old Testament, during which a man named Jacob lived. Jacob had 12 sons, who later became the ancestors of the 12 tribes of Israel. Among these 12 sons, the youngest, Joseph, had a dream one day. In his dream, the sun, the moon, and 11 stars were bowing down to him. Here, the sun represented Joseph’s father Jacob, the moon represented his mother Rachel, and the 11 stars represented his 11 brothers (Genesis 37:9–11).
Just as there are the sun, moon, and stars in the physical sky of this world, the “heaven where the sun, moon, and stars exist” in the Bible symbolizes the place where God’s chosen people (the chosen congregation) dwell together with God.
“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” — Isaiah 65:17
In this Old Testament verse, God declared that He would create a “new heaven and a new earth.” Creating a new heaven and a new earth means creating God’s new chosen people. The “former things” that will no longer be remembered refer to “the first heaven, the first earth, and the sea,” which pass away when the Book of Revelation is fulfilled, exactly as stated in the text.
Therefore, we must examine why God had to create a new group of chosen people. The 12 tribes of physical Israel, which began with the 12 sons of Jacob in the Old Testament era, were a kingdom where God dwelled. God established a covenant with them, promising that if they kept His covenant faithfully, they would become His kingdom and holy people (Exodus 19:5–6). He gave them the Ten Commandments through Moses so that they would keep them. However, the nation of Israel broke the very first commandment—“You shall have no other gods before me”—and repeatedly served foreign gods. Consequently, during the reign of King Solomon, the kingdom of Israel was divided and ultimately destroyed by foreign nations. At that time, God sent prophets to the Israelites held captive in Babylon, promising (prophesying) that He would send a Savior.
The Son of God who came to this earth in fulfillment of that promise was Jesus. However, the majority of the Israelites who were supposed to be believing and practicing their faith in God neither believed nor received Jesus (John 1:11–12).
Instead, many among the Gentiles believed in Jesus. Consequently, through those who believed and received Jesus at that time, Jesus appointed 12 disciples and established the “12 tribes of spiritual Israel” (James 1:1).
In other words, the first heaven and the first earth that passed away at the time of Jesus’ first coming were the “12 tribes of physical Israel,” which had been sustained by lineage. The newly created new heaven and new earth were the “12 tribes of spiritual Israel.” These “12 tribes of spiritual Israel” can be said to represent the Christians who believe and practice their faith in Jesus today. Yet, the reality today is that due to differences in doctrines and ideologies, Christians remain divided and fragmented repeatedly rather than being united as one.
“And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.” — Revelation 6:12–14
Because of this reality, the Book of Revelation—which records the events of the Lord’s second coming—prophesies that the era of the corrupt “spiritual Israel” (Christianity) will come to an end, just as described in the passage above. Because the “first heaven and the first earth (spiritual Israel)” are judged and destroyed, God creates the “new heaven and new earth” anew.
Furthermore, the “Holy City, New Jerusalem” (Heaven) in the spiritual realm descends onto this “new heaven and new earth.” Through this, God’s work of creation is completed within the Book of Revelation. At this time, rather than remaining belonging to the first heaven and the first earth, one must come out to the new heaven and new earth to be re-created as a new chosen person in order to enter the kingdom of heaven.
The Meaning of Shincheonji
When “New Heaven and New Earth” is expressed in Chinese characters, it is written as Shin-Cheon-Shin-Ji (新天新地). Abbreviating this gives us Shincheonji (新天地). This means that the “Shincheonji 12 Tribes” located in the Republic of Korea are the “new heaven and new earth” prophesied in the Book of Revelation. In other words, this place signifies where God, Jesus, and the chosen people who are with Them reside. Furthermore, Shincheonji has been created precisely into 12 tribes according to the biblical promise (Revelation chapter 7, Revelation 22:2). We sincerely hope that you realize this, believe it, and attain the realm of hope.
“Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” — 2 Peter 3:13