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Study 25 of 25

The New Earth

The new earth is Eden restored, the crowning proof that righteousness by faith reaches its full, visible fruit

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

In this closing chapter, Sequeira presents the new earth as the goal toward which the entire plan of redemption has moved since Eden was lost. God's promise in Genesis 3:15 that a Descendant would crush the serpent's head guarantees that sin's long history of degradation will be reversed and the earth restored to its original perfection. He stresses that the gospel ultimately divides humanity into only two groups, believers and unbelievers, and that no one is lost merely for being a sinner; people are lost only for rejecting the light of Christ given to them, whether through the gospel explicitly or through conscience, a solemn point Sequeira draws from Ellen White's comments on those among the heathen who are recognized as children of God. During the millennium, the saints will feel real grief reviewing the lost, yet in the new earth itself 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes,' and every reminder of sin's cost will vanish except the nail prints in the Savior's hands. The chapter closes the entire course by returning to its central conviction: salvation, from beginning to consummation, is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, and the new earth is simply that gospel finally and visibly completed.

Key points

  • The new earth fulfills God's Genesis 3:15 promise that Christ would ultimately crush the serpent and restore Eden's lost perfection.
  • The gospel finally divides humanity into only two groups, believers and unbelievers; no one is lost for merely being a sinner but only for rejecting the light given them.
  • During the millennium the saints grieve as they review the lost, but in the new earth God Himself will wipe away every tear.
  • The only lasting reminder of sin's cost in the new earth will be the nail prints in Christ's hands, keeping the gospel forever central even in eternity.

Key texts

  • Genesis 3:15
  • John 3:16-18
  • Revelation 21:1-5

From the book

Chapter 25 · Belief 28 · Read this chapter

  • “His earthly mission and heavenly ministry guarantee that sin will ultimately be eradicated, and the earth will be restored to its original perfection.” (ch. 25)
  • “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Sinners will be lost because they have refused to believe in Jesus Christ or whatever light has been given to them .” (ch. 25)
  • “At that time, all memory of the lost will be wiped away, and the only reminder of the sin problem will be the nail prints in the hands of the Savior.” (ch. 25)

Put it into practice

  • Read Revelation 21:1-7 and 22:1-5 as a devotional picture of the hope this whole course has pointed toward.
  • Reflect on someone in your life who may have limited light, and pray for wisdom in sharing the gospel with them clearly.
  • Consider what it means that only the nail prints will remain in eternity, and let that shape how central the cross is in your daily walk.
  • Write a short prayer of thanks summarizing what you have learned about righteousness by faith through this entire course.
  1. Comprehension

    1. How does Genesis 3:15 anchor the hope fulfilled in the new earth?

  2. Scripture

    2. According to John 3:16-18 and 36, what is the one and only reason sinners will ultimately be lost?

  3. Doctrinal Clarity

    3. What does Sequeira, citing Ellen White's Desire of Ages, say about people who have never heard the gospel explicitly?

  4. Contrast

    4. Contrast the experience of the saints during the millennium's judgment with their experience once they reach the new earth.

  5. Comprehension

    5. What will remain in the new earth as the only reminder of sin's history, according to Sequeira?

  6. Scripture

    6. How does Sequeira use Romans 5:19 to explain why Adam's sin does not itself condemn anyone?

  7. Doctrinal Clarity

    7. What is the significance of the new moon festival mentioned in Isaiah 66:22-23 for life on the new earth?

  8. Application

    8. Personal: How does knowing that people are judged by the light they were given, not merely by whether they heard a full gospel presentation, shape your sense of responsibility toward those who have heard the gospel from you?