A New Heavens and a New Earth
“For as the new heavens and the new earth [Land] which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the LORD, “So shall your descendants and your name remain.” Isaiah 66:22
If you’ve been around preterism for a little while, you will know that this phrase is Covenantal. It refers to a new firmament (blood covering) and new mediators (on the Land); a new crystal sea government (Laver) and a restored four-cornered Israel (Bronze Altar).
So, Isaiah’s and Peter’s references to a new heaven and a new earth refer to looming Covenantal events, events which were contemporary to the respective authors. Isaiah spoke of the Restoration of Israel from Babylon. Peter spoke of the full inauguration of the kingdom in AD70.[1]
But extreme preterists want to divorce the term from physical reality altogether. I do follow them up to a point, but I think the solution is that, yes, all Creation is Covenantal, but it began with the physical world and will end with a restored physical world:
Creation to Abraham:
Physical heavens and earth (including flood) establishing the Covenant.
The world as Tabernacle
Abraham to Christ:
Social heavens and earth (Israel as Covenant: world divided by circumcision/earth)
Tabernacle as microcosmos – governed from earth by Messianic bloodline
Christ:
Human heavens and earth (Christ as Covenant)
A Man as Tabernacle
Christ to last judgment:
Social heavens and earth (Church as Covenant: world divided by baptism/heaven)
Church as microcosmos – governed from heaven by the ascended Christ
Eternity:
Physical heavens and earth restored, fulfilling the Covenant
The world as Tabernacle
This explains the use of the “physical” Covenant language within these other symbolic heaven-and-earth stages. [2]
It also helps us to understand the contemporary nature of the prophecies that use this language. [3]
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[1] See How To Read the New Testament.
[2] See also Cosmic Language.
[3] See Looking for a New Heavens and a New Earth by David Chilton.
Part One here (PDF)
Part Two here (PDF)
