Biblical prophecies foretell that after the great tribulation of the last days, a new heaven and a new earth will emerge. From that point forward, humanity will enter into a beautiful life free from pain and tears. How is this promised new heaven and new earth brought about by God? Who is eligible to enter this new realm? How can we enter the new heaven and new earth? Read this text to discover the answers.

1. Glorious Hope - The Promise of a New Heaven and a New Earth

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of 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. And 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: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:1–4).

“Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13).

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Praise Song | "God Creates a More Beautiful Tomorrow for Mankind"

“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be you glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. There shall be no more there an infant of days, nor an old man that has not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and my elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, said the LORD” (Isaiah 65:17–25).

In these verses, we encounter a beautiful promise, a hope for a new heaven and a new earth. Life’s challenges and hardships often leave us feeling worn out, fueling our desire for a brighter tomorrow. We firmly believe that all the difficulties and injustices we face are temporary, as God has set aside a new heaven and new earth for us. In this new realm, we won’t be bothered by sin and disasters, won’t have to endure the shadows of illness and death, and there will be no more pain and tears—only everlasting peace, joy, and tranquility. As God says, “As My words are consummated, the kingdom is gradually formed on earth and man is gradually returned to normality, and thus there is established on earth the kingdom in My heart. In the kingdom, all the people of God recover the life of normal man. Gone is the frosty winter, replaced by a world of cities of spring, where spring lasts all year. No longer are people faced with the gloomy, miserable world of man, and no longer do they endure the cold chill of the world of man. People do not fight with each other, countries do not go to war against each other, no longer is there carnage and the blood that flows from carnage; all lands are filled with happiness, and everywhere teems with warmth between men. I move throughout the world, I enjoy from atop My throne, and I live among the stars. The angels offer unto Me new songs and new dances. No longer does their own fragility cause tears to run down their faces. No longer do I hear, before Me, the sound of the angels weeping, and no longer does anyone complain of hardship to Me. Today, you all live before Me; tomorrow, you will all exist in My kingdom. Is this not the greatest blessing that I bestow upon man?” (The Word, Vol. 1. The Appearance and Work of God. God’s Words to the Entire Universe, Chapter 20).

“In a flash of lightning, every animal is revealed in its true form. So too, illuminated by My light, man has regained the sanctity he once possessed. Oh, corrupt world of old! At last, it has toppled over into the filthy water and, sinking below the surface, has dissolved into mud! Oh, all mankind, of My own creation! At last they have come back to life again in the light, found the foundation for existence, and ceased to struggle in the mud! Oh, the myriad things of creation that I hold in My hands! How can they not, through My words, be renewed? How can they not, in the light, give play to their functions? Earth is no longer deathly still and silent, heaven no longer desolate and sad. Heaven and earth, no longer separated by a void, are united as one, never to be sundered again. On this jubilant occasion, at this moment of exultation, My righteousness and My holiness have extended throughout the universe, and all mankind extols them without ceasing. The cities of heaven are laughing with joy, and the kingdom of earth is dancing with joy. At this time, who is not rejoicing, and who is not also weeping? Earth in its primordial state belongs to heaven, and heaven is united with earth. Man is the cord uniting heaven and earth, and because of man’s sanctity, because of man’s renewal, heaven is no longer concealed from earth, and earth is no longer silent toward heaven. The faces of mankind are wreathed in smiles of gratification, and hidden in all their hearts is a sweetness that knows no bounds. Man does not quarrel with man, nor do men come to blows with one another. Are there any who, in My light, do not live peacefully with others? Are there any who, in My day, disgrace My name? All men direct their fearful gaze toward Me, and in their hearts, they secretly cry out to Me. I have searched mankind’s every action: Among the men who have been cleansed, there are none who are disobedient to Me, none who pass judgment on Me. All mankind is suffused with My disposition. All men are coming to know Me, are drawing closer to Me and adoring Me. I stand fast in the spirit of man, am exalted to the highest pinnacle in man’s eyes, and flow through the blood in man’s veins. The joyous exaltation in man’s heart fills every place on the face of the earth, the air is brisk and fresh, dense fogs no longer blanket the ground, and the sun shines resplendent” (The Word, Vol. 1. The Appearance and Work of God. God’s Words to the Entire Universe, Chapter 18).

This represents the beautiful scenery of the new heaven and new earth, a profound blessing from God to us. May we approach each day with unwavering faith and hopeful anticipation while awaiting the arrival of the new heaven and new earth, knowing that God’s marvelous promises will surely be fulfilled.

2. Who Can Enter the New Heaven and New Earth?

“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14).

The Lord Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, Whoever commits sin is the servant of sin. And the servant stays not in the house for ever: but the son stays ever” (John 8:34–35).

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).

These verses highlight a crucial requirement for entering the new heaven and new earth: breaking free from sin and achieving purification. This state of purification not only leads to gaining eternal life at the tree of life but also grants the right to enter the city of the new heaven and new earth. Why is it that only those who have been purified from sin can receive such a blessing to enter the new heaven and new earth? Because God’s essence is righteous and holy, and the new heaven and new earth are also holy, without any impurity or corruption. Therefore, individuals who commit sins are not qualified to inherit God’s promise to enter the new heaven and new earth. Just as God says, “You must know what kind of people I desire; those who are impure are not permitted to enter into the kingdom, those who are impure are not permitted to besmirch the holy ground. Though you may have done much work, and worked for many years, in the end if you are still deplorably filthy, then it will be intolerable to the law of Heaven that you wish to enter My kingdom! From the foundation of the world until today, never have I offered easy access to My kingdom to those who curry favor with Me. This is a heavenly rule, and no one can break it!” (The Word, Vol. 1. The Appearance and Work of God. Success or Failure Depends on the Path That Man Walks). “A sinner such as you, who has just been redeemed, and has not been changed, or been perfected by God, can you be after God’s heart? For you, you who are still of your old self, it is true that you were saved by Jesus, and that you are not counted as a sinner because of the salvation of God, but this does not prove that you are not sinful, and are not impure. How can you be saintly if you have not been changed? Within, you are beset by impurity, selfish and mean, yet you still wish to descend with Jesus—you should be so lucky! You have missed a step in your belief in God: You have merely been redeemed, but you have not been changed. For you to be after God’s heart, God must personally do the work of changing and cleansing you; if you are only redeemed, you will be incapable of attaining sanctity. In this way you will be unqualified to share in the good blessings of God, for you have missed out a step in God’s work of managing man, which is the key step of changing and perfecting. You, a sinner who has just been redeemed, are therefore incapable of directly inheriting God’s inheritance” (The Word, Vol. 1. The Appearance and Work of God. Concerning Appellations and Identity).

God’s words are crystal clear: He is holy and righteous, and He absolutely does not allow those tainted with impurity and corruption into His kingdom. Even individuals who believe in the Lord and are forgiven of sin but persist in sinning aren’t eligible to inherit God’s blessings and enter the kingdom. This is determined by God’s righteous and holy disposition.

3. How to Enter the New Heaven and New Earth

“I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:12–13).

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God” (1 Peter 4:17).

“Sanctify them through Your truth: Your word is truth” (John 17:17).

“And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, said the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God” (Zechariah 13:8–9).

These verses make us know that when Jesus returns in the last days, He will express many truths and carry out the judgment work, guiding people into all truths. This work aims to save humanity completely from sin and from Satan’s influence, so that people can attain purification, and ultimately be brought into God’s kingdom, which means entering the new heaven and new earth and having a wonderful destiny. This stage of work was planned out long before, and it is also the final stage of work in God’s management plan. Just as God says, “Though Jesus did much work among man, He only completed the redemption of all mankind and became man’s sin offering; He did not rid man of all his corrupt disposition. Fully saving man from the influence of Satan not only required Jesus to become the sin offering and bear the sins of man, but it also required God to do even greater work to rid man completely of his satanically corrupted disposition. And so, now that man has been forgiven of his sins, God has returned to the flesh to lead man into the new age, and begun the work of chastisement and judgment. This work has brought man into a higher realm. All those who submit under His dominion shall enjoy higher truth and receive greater blessings. They shall truly live in the light, and they shall gain the truth, the way, and the life”(The Word, Vol. 1. The Appearance and Work of God. Preface).

“People cannot change their own disposition; they must undergo the judgment and chastisement, and suffering and refinement, of God’s words, or being dealt with, disciplined, and pruned by His words. Only then can they achieve obedience and faithfulness to God, and no longer be perfunctory toward Him. It is under the refinement of God’s words that people’s dispositions change. Only through the exposure, judgment, discipline, and dealing of His words will they no longer dare to act rashly but instead will become steady and composed. The most important point is that they are able to submit to God’s current words, and to His work, even if it is not in line with human notions, they are able to put these notions aside and willingly submit” (The Word, Vol. 1. The Appearance and Work of God. People Whose Dispositions Have Changed Are Those Who Have Entered Into the Reality of God’s Words).

“Those who are able to stand firm during God’s work of judgment and chastisement during the last days—that is, during the final work of purification—will be the ones who will enter into the final rest alongside God; as such, all those who enter into rest will have broken free of Satan’s influence and been obtained by God after having undergone His final work of purification. These humans, who will have been finally obtained by God, will enter into the final rest. The purpose of God’s work of chastisement and judgment is in essence meant to purify humanity, for the sake of the ultimate rest; without such cleansing, none of humanity could be classified into different categories according to kind, or enter into rest. This work is humanity’s only path to enter into rest. Only God’s work of purification will cleanse humans of their unrighteousness, and only His work of chastisement and judgment will bring to light those disobedient elements of humanity, thereby separating those who can be saved from those who cannot, and those who will remain from those who will not. When this work ends, those people who are allowed to remain will all be cleansed and enter a higher state of humanity in which they will enjoy a more wonderful second human life upon the earth; in other words, they will commence their human day of rest, and coexist with God. After those who are not allowed to remain have been chastised and judged, their true colors will be entirely exposed, after which they will all be destroyed and, like Satan, will no longer be permitted to survive upon the earth. The humanity of the future will no longer include any of this type of people; such people are not fit to enter the land of the ultimate rest, nor are they fit to join in the day of rest that God and humanity will share, for they are the targets of punishment and are wicked, unrighteous people. They were redeemed once, and they have also been judged and chastised; they also once rendered service to God. However, when the final day comes, they will still be cast out and destroyed due to their wickedness and as a result of their disobedience and inability to be redeemed; they will never again come into being in the world of the future, and will no longer live among the human race of the future. Whether they are spirits of the dead or people still living in the flesh, all evildoers and all those who have not been saved will be destroyed once the holy among humanity enter into rest. As for these evildoing spirits and humans, or the spirits of righteous people and those who do righteousness, regardless of what era they are in, all those who commit evil will ultimately be destroyed, and all those who are righteous will survive. Whether a person or spirit will receive salvation is not entirely decided on the basis of the work of the final age; rather, it is determined by whether or not they have resisted or been disobedient toward God. People in the previous era who committed evil and could not attain salvation will, undoubtedly, be targets for punishment, and those in the current era who commit evil and cannot be saved will surely be targets for punishment, too. Humans are categorized on the basis of good and evil, not by which epoch they live in. Once thus categorized, they will not be punished or rewarded immediately; rather, God will only carry out His work of punishing evil and rewarding good after He has finished carrying out His work of conquest in the last days. Actually, He has been separating humans into good and evil ever since He started doing His work of mankind’s salvation. It is just that He will reward the righteous and punish the wicked only after His work has come to an end; it is not that He will separate them into categories upon the completion of His work and then immediately set about the task of punishing evil and rewarding good. Rather, this task will be done only when His work is wholly finished. The entire purpose behind God’s ultimate work of punishing evil and rewarding good is to thoroughly purify all humans so that He may bring a purely holy humanity into eternal rest. This stage of His work is the most crucial; it is the final stage of the whole of His work of management” (The Word, Vol. 1. The Appearance and Work of God. God and Man Will Enter Into Rest Together).

From God’s words, we see that in the Age of Grace, the Lord Jesus carried out the work of redemption for humanity by being crucified, rescuing people from sin. As long as individuals repent and confess their sins to the Lord, God forgives their sins, no longer viewing them as sinful. People then qualify to come before God, pray to Him, enjoying the peace and joy of being forgiven of sin. However, even though God no longer sees people as sinners, it doesn’t mean they are entirely free from sin or have become purified. We observe a reality: Despite believing in the Lord and being forgiven of sins, individuals still continue to sin. We find ourselves stuck in a cycle of sinning during the day and confessing at night, living in the bondage of sin, struggling to break free and experiencing deep pain. Why, after believing in the Lord and being forgiven of sins, do individuals struggle to overcome the bondage and control of sin? Why do they unintentionally commit sins, even when they desire not to? This is because people have sinful natures and satanic dispositions. This is the root cause of people resisting God through sin. Therefore, to address the root of human sin, one must go through God’s end-time judgment work. The primary focus of God’s end-time judgment work is to express the truth, and use the truth to reveal the root cause of human sins, and disclose and judge man’s different kinds of satanic dispositions. This process aims to guide individuals to recognize the truth of their corruption, fostering genuine repentance that springs from the heart. Through this, people develop sincere self-loathing and aversion, enabling them to forsake the desires of the flesh and live according to God’s words, thereby achieving true repentance and transformation. As can be seen, God’s judgment work in the last days is the work to completely purify and save humanity. It is the most critical stage of God’s salvation work. Only through experiencing God’s end-time judgment and purification, completely breaking away from sin and having our corrupt dispositions cleansed, can we qualify to enter God’s kingdom, that is, the new heaven and new earth. This proves that accepting God’s end-time judgment and purification is the only path to enter the new heaven and new earth.

If you’re eager to delve deeper into God’s end-time judgment work and take steps toward entering the new heaven and new earth, feel free to reach out to us through the online chat window at the bottom of our website. Let’s learn God’s words together and communicate online.