A New Heaven and a New Earth

21 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”^[a](A) for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away,^(B) and there was no longer any sea.

The Judgment of the Dead

¹¹ Then I saw a great white throne^(A) and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence,^(B) and there was no place for them.

²¹ Heaven must receive him^(A) until the time comes for God to restore everything,^(B) as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.^(C)

¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.^(A) The heavens will disappear with a roar;^(B) the elements will be destroyed by fire,^(C) and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.^[a](D)

¹¹ Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives ¹² as you look forward^(E) to the day of God and speed its coming.^[b](F) That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.^{(G) 13} But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth,^(H) where righteousness dwells.

⁷ By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire,^(A) being kept for the day of judgment^(B) and destruction of the ungodly.

¹⁴ For we believe that Jesus died and rose again,^(A) and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.^{(B) 15} According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord,^(C) will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.^(D)