(October 3, 2013)
Through the years I have heard various people tell me that a day will come when the earth will no longer have any sea or seas. There is no such description of this earth or of the new earth given in the Bible.
What sea is the Bible talking about?
Let us begin by looking at Revelation 4 verses 1, 2 and 6.
Revelation 4:1 (NASV)
AFTER these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven
Note that John is being shown something in heaven and not on earth.
Revelation 4:2
Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne.
I repeat, the point here is that the throne is in heaven and not on earth. Also that there is only One sitting on the throne and we know that judgment has been given to Jesus, John 5:22. This is the judgment seat. On this throne, at this time, Jesus is not sitting at the right hand of the Father, the Father is not there.
Drop down to Revelation 4 verse 6.
Revelation 4:6
and before the throne there was, as it were, a sea of glass like crystal
Note that this sea is seen in heaven in front of the throne, not on earth and that it is not made of water but rather of glass like crystal. It is undoubtedly a great expanse.
Now turn to Revelation 20 and verse 12.
Revelation 20:12
And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne
I believe that this is the same throne as Revelation 4. To my knowledge, God only has one throne. They will be standing on the sea of glass, ten(s) of billions of them, every man woman and child who ever lived or rather died. I will leave that discussion for another time.
Now let us look at Revelation 21:1.
Revelation 21:1
AND I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.
I think it should say had passed away, as Revelation 20:11 clarifies.
Let us go back in time a little to Revelation 20 verse 11.
Revelation 20:11
And I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them.
Note again that on this throne sits only One and that it is from His presence that the earth and heaven flee. This happens before the appearance of the new heaven and new earth. And so the sea mentioned in Revelation 21:1 is not talking about any sea on earth but rather about the sea of glass like crystal that will be there for the great white throne judgment only. It is no longer of any use and therefore it is no longer. The sea of glass like crystal that the dead were standing on during the time of the great white throne judgment will have served its purpose and will vanish, be no more.
Revelation 21:1
AND I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth (had) passed away, and there is no longer any sea (of glass).
Conclusion
Do not believe everything you hear and read. Check things out with the Bible carefully to keep yourself from believing and repeating falsehoods. Aim for and stick to the truth always.
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; (Philippians 1:9, 10)
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