Description of Paradise in the New Heaven and Earth
The concept of paradise in the new heaven and earth is rooted in biblical descriptions of a renewed creation. The book of Revelation describes a future state where "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain: for the former things are passed away" [3]. This vision is closely tied to the idea of a "new heaven and a new earth," which is also mentioned in 2 Peter 3:13 and Isaiah 65:17 [6].
The early Christian tradition understood paradise as a real, physical place. According to John of Damascus, an Eastern Orthodox theologian, paradise was "planted in Eden by the hands of God" and was intended as a kingdom for humanity to live in happiness and prosperity [7]. The description of paradise in Genesis 2:10, with its river and trees, has been interpreted in various ways throughout history. Some have placed it in various locations, including the third heaven, the fourth heaven, or even within the earth [4].
The book of Revelation provides a detailed description of the new heaven and earth, where the redeemed dwell in the presence of God. Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist/Puritan commentator, notes that the heavenly state is described as a paradise, alluding to the earthly paradise lost by the first Adam, and restored by the second Adam [2]. The new Jerusalem is depicted as a city within a paradise, where whole cities and nations find delight and satisfaction.
The characteristics of this paradise include a river, trees, and the absence of darkness or pain. According to Revelation 22:1-2, "a river of life, clear as crystal, proceeded out of the throne of God and of the Lamb" and "in the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life" [2]. The leaves of the tree are "for the healing of the nations" [3]. The presence of God is also a defining feature of this paradise, where "the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: and they shall see his face" [3].
Different Christian traditions have understood the nature of this paradise in various ways. Charles Hodge, one theologian, notes that the final abode of the redeemed is sometimes described as a "new heavens and a new earth," suggesting a literal renewal of the physical creation [1, 3]. In contrast, some interpretations view the new heaven and earth as symbolic or figurative [6].
The patristic tradition also reflects on the beauty and significance of paradise. According to Hermas, the plants in paradise were "of a superior loveliness and beauty" and were "planted by God" [5]. The idea of paradise as a restored creation is closely tied to the concept of the new heaven and earth, where God dwells with humanity in a state of perfect harmony.
The description of paradise in the new heaven and earth serves as a vision of hope and renewal for Christians. As Adam Clarke, a Methodist/Wesleyan commentator, notes, the new heaven and earth represent a fundamental transformation of the created order, where "all was made new" [9]. The absence of the sea in Revelation 21:1 may symbolize the removal of a source of chaos and disorder, highlighting the peaceful and harmonious nature of this new creation.
The biblical descriptions of paradise in the new heaven and earth emphasize the themes of renewal, restoration, and the presence of God. As the redeemed dwell in this paradise, they experience a state of perfect joy, peace, and happiness, free from pain, sorrow, and death. The vision of paradise in Revelation 21-22 serves as a culmination of the biblical narrative, pointing to a future where God's people live in harmony with their creator and with the created order. The new heaven and earth are characterized by the presence of God, the absence of evil, and the renewal of all things [3, 8].
Sources
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 93: the bondage of corruption. The change to be effected is in the dwelling-place of man. ( d .) According to the Apostle Peter, it is the world which once was destroyed by water, that is to be consumed by fire. But although the predictions of Scripture concern only our earth, it does not follow that the material universe is to last forever. As it is not from eternity, it probably will not last forever. It may be only one of the grand exhibitions of the wonderful working of God in the field of infinite space, and in the course of unending age”
- Revelation (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Revelation 22:1: The heavenly state which was before described as a city, and called the new Jerusalem, is here described as a paradise, alluding to the earthly paradise which was lost by the sin of the first Adam; here is another paradise restored by the second Adam. A paradise in a city, or a whole city in a paradise! In the first paradise there were only two persons to behold the beauty and taste the pleasures of it; but in this second paradise whole cities and nations shall find abundant delight and satisfaction. And here observe, I. The river of paradise. The earthly para”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 94: leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve Him: and they shall see his face, and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there: and they need no candle, neither light of the sun, for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” ( Rev. xxii. 2-5 .) Sometimes the final abode of the redeemed is called a “new heavens and a new earth.” ( 2 Pet. iii. 13 .) As to t”
- Genesis (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Genesis 2:10: A river went out of Eden, etc. - It would astonish an ordinary reader, who should be obliged to consult different commentators and critics on the situation of the terrestrial Paradise, to see the vast variety of opinions by which they are divided. Some place it in the third heaven, others in the fourth; some within the orbit of the moon, others in the moon itself; some in the middle regions of the air, or beyond the earth's attraction; some on the earth, others under the earth, and others within the earth; some have fixed it at the north pole, others at the south; ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 2: Hermas, Tatian, Theophilus, Athenagoras, Clement of Alexandria — CHAP. XXIV.--THE BEAUTY OF PARADISE, (part 1): God, then, caused to spring out of the earth every tree that is beautiful in appearance, or good for food. For at first there were only those things which were produced on the third day,--plants, and seeds, and herbs; but the things which were in Paradise were made of a 104 superior loveliness and beauty, since in it the plants were said to have been planted by God. As to the rest of the plants, indeed, the world contained plants like them; but the two trees,--the tree of ”
- 2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 3:13: Nevertheless we, according to his promise,.... Or promises, as the Alexandrian copy, and the Vulgate Latin version; namely those in Isa 65:17; look for new heavens and a new earth; not figuratively, the world to come in distinction from the Jewish world or state; a new church state, the Gospel dispensation, with new ordinances, as baptism and the Lord's supper, all legal ceremonies and ordinances being gone, and everything new; for these things had taken place already, and were not looked for as future: but these phrases are to be understood literally, as the heave”
- CCEL (Eastern Orthodox) “John of Damascus, An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, section 26: Chapter XI .— Concerning Paradise. Now when God was about to fashion man out of the visible and invisible creation in His own image and likeness to reign as king and ruler over all the earth and all that it contains, He first made for him, so to speak, a kingdom in which he should live a life of happiness and prosperity 1772 1772 Greg. Nyss., De opif. Hom ., ch. 2. . And this is the divine paradise 1773 1773 See the treatise of Anastas. II. Antiochen ., on the Hexaëmeron , bk. vii. , planted in Eden by the hands of God, a”
- Revelation (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Revelation 21 (introduction): The new heaven and the new earth, Rev 21:1. The new Jerusalem, Rev 21:2. God dwells with men; the happy state of his followers, Rev 21:3-7. The wretched state of the ungodly, Rev 21:8. An angel shows John the holy city, the New Jerusalem, Rev 21:9, Rev 21:10. Her light, wall, gates, and foundations, described, Rev 21:11-21. God and the Lamb are the temple and light of it, Rev 21:22, Rev 21:23. The nations and kings of the earth bring their glory and honor to it; the gates shall never be shut, nor shall any defilement enter into it, Rev 21:24-27.”
- Revelation (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Revelation 21:1: A new heaven and a new earth - See the notes on Pe2 3:13 : The ancient Jews believed that God would renew the heavens and the earth at the end of seven thousand years. The general supposition they founded on Isa 65:17. There was no more sea - The sea no more appeared than did the first heaven and earth. All was made new; and probably the new sea occupied a different position and was differently distributed, from that of the old sea. However, with respect to these subjects as they stand in this most figurative book, I must express myself in the words of Calmet: V”