New heavens and a new earth

There is one circumstance more which will follow the judgment, and it deserves our serious consideration. We look, says the apostle, according to his promise, for new heavens and a new earth, wherein righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 3:13. The promise stands in the prophecy of Isaiah. Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former shall not be remembered. Isaiah 65:17. So great shall the glory of the latter be.

These Saint John beheld in the visions of God. I saw, says he, a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Revelation 21:1. And only righteousness dwelt there. Accordingly he adds, And I heard a great voice from the third heaven, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them and be their God. Revelation 21:3.

Of necessity, therefore, they will all be happy. God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain. Revelation 21:4. There shall be no more curse, but they shall see his face, Revelation 22:3-4, and shall have the nearest access to him, and from that the highest resemblance of him. This is the strongest expression in the language of scripture to denote the most perfect happiness.

And his name shall be on their foreheads. They shall be openly acknowledged as God's own property, and his glorious nature shall most visibly shine forth in them. And there shall be no night there, and they need no candle, neither the light of the sun. For the Lord God gives them light, and they shall reign for ever and ever.