A New Heaven and A New Earth

By: Odain Barrett

The author of this article (Laura M.) comments on a research paper release in March 2021 in Nature Geoscience, by Ozaki and Reinhard¹. Where the authors speak of intensity of the heat emitted by the Sun heating up the planet as a key driver resulting in future decline in CO2 bringing about a catastrophic end to life on earth a billion years from now¹. Notably, in our day and time we often hear a different view, one preached by climate alarmists ad nauseam, that there is imminent doom of life because of humans releasing CO2 into Earth’s atmosphere.

2-in-1

In both views a catastrophic end to life as we know it on Planet Earth – one distant (within a billion years) and the other imminent (within a generation to 100 years). One view preaches an absolute control by humans and their activity, specifically surrounding carbon released into the atmosphere. Then there’s another view of absolute control by the big fire ball in the sky (Sun).

In the last few sentences of this article, speaking of the report the author (Laura M.) says this, “The outlook is clear: the Earth of the future will look nothing like the one we know today…Knowing that oxygen won’t last forever reminds us that not even the most basic elements of our existence are eternal….It is essential to accept that, in the universe, nothing lasts forever.”²

Another view

I now move to mention here that the Bible, for thousands of years, has claimed that the universe is not eternal, had a beginning and will have an end.  Just within our generation Scientists have developed technology that scientifically confirms that the universe had a beginning in the finite past – it’s not eternal. Now, the Bible is also clear that “the Earth of the future will look nothing like the one we know today,” it too “reminds that not even the most basic elements of our existence are eternal” and that “it is essential to accept that, in the universe, nothing lasts forever.”

Why shift the attention to speaking of the Bible here?  Well, because the Bible offers us a third view, by way of our counting views so far, but is better stated ultimately as a second view regarding the look of the Earth of the future. Read to the end and you’ll see what I mean ultimately by a second view.

The Apostle Peter writing to first century Christians, in what would be modern day Turkey, says, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.”³

A new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

The Apostle John later wrote to these first century Christians, sharing what he says he received from the Lord Jesus. In his letter to them, near the end, he speaks about this new heaven and new earth. He says, “Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. ‘He [God] will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”⁴

Two views

So, in one view, the look of the Earth of the future is a catastrophic end to human life by the power or work of one creation or another (the Sun or people). In the second view (the Biblical view), the look of the Earth of the future is a result of the powerful actions of the Creator of all things (including the Sun and people).  Bringing about a new place where He “will wipe every tear from their eyes,” where “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”⁴ A place “in keeping with his promise…where righteousness dwells.”³

This view, this promise, also holds a warning. Note, it is a place “where righteousness dwells.”³ Which means that there will be an end to unrighteousness (the synonymous Biblical term is Sin ) and if we are not righteous, by God’s standard, we will have no place in this “new heaven and new earth.”⁴ The Bible claims that our place is secured by only one way; our condemnation turned to a glorious consolation only through faith in Jesus Christ.⁵

Listen to these famous words in the first sentence in this quotation and then read the verses to follow, which are not as famous in our modern culture. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. [18] Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” (John 3:16-18).

Invitation

My invitation to every reader is simply this. Please read the Bible for yourself. Read and examine the record of Jesus’ claims concerning our need to be justified by God – not by ourselves or others – and how we can be justified (made righteous).

We all have one of two futures:

1. standing in unrighteousness and condemned because of unbelief, or
2. standing joyfully in righteousness and not condemned (in that “new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells”)³

As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” [12] For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, [13] for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” ~Paul, Romans 10:11-13

I pray that you will answer Jesus’ call to “come follow me.”⁶

References:

1. Ozaki, K., & Reinhard, C. (2021, March 3). The future lifespan of Earth’s oxygenated Atmosphere. http://www.Researchgate.net. Retrieved May 8, 2025, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349787135_The_future_lifespan_of_Earth’s_oxygenated_Atmosphere

2. (2025, May 5). Farewell to Oxygen on Planet Earth – NASA scientists predict Earth’s atmosphere will lose its ability to sustain life – photosynthesis will collapse as CO₂ declines. Unionrayo.com. Retrieved May 8, 2025, from https://unionrayo.com/en/earth-oxygen-disappearance-prediction/

3. Bible, New International Version, 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011; 2 Peter 3:10-13

4. Bible, New International Version, 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011; Revelation 21:1,4

5. Bible, New International Version, 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011; John 14:6; Acts 4:11-12

6. Bible, New International Version, 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011; Matthew 4:19; Matthew 19:21; Mark 1:17