Study #25

Before creation, this world was “without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep” (Genesis 1:26-28). Then, in six days, God created a perfect world and placed Adam and Eve to rule over it (see Genesis 1:26-28). Unfortunately, the entrance of sin marred the bliss of this perfect and finished creation. At the fall, this world was handed over to Satan and he became its ruler (see Luke 4:5,6). Thus began the downward trend.
Unlike the theory of evolution, the Bible teaches “devolution.” That is, in the beginning, God created a perfect and finished world to which nothing could be added for improvement. But, when sin entered this world, things began to go from bad to worse. Ultimately, sin will destroy our world until one day this earth will be reduced to what was before creation, “without form and void.”
The book of Revelation describes this destroyed world as the “bottomless pit” (see Revelation 20:1-3). This is where Satan, the originator of sin, and his angels will be bound during the Millennium (Revelation 20:1-3) They will have one thousand years to contemplate what sin has done to God’s perfect creation.
After the thousand years are ended and God has judged and executed Satan and all who have joined him, thus eradicating sin from the universe, He will create a new heaven and a new earth wherein will dwell righteousness. At that time God will move His throne from heaven to this earth made new and the saints will rule with Him forever and ever. This wonderful truth, which culminates the plan of redemption, will be the concluding lesson of these Bible studies.

1. What was the condition of the earth before creation?

Genesis 1:2 __________________________________________________

Note: Before creation, this earth was just a lump of formless and shapeless rock most of which was covered by water.

2. How long did it take God to create this world we live in?

Exodus 20:11 __________________________________________________

Note: Please read Genesis 1:3-31 to get a complete description of creation week. Note that all that God created was “very good.” At the end of the sixth day, this world was perfect and finished so that God rested on the seventh day from all His work and sanctified the seventh day (see Genesis 2:1-3).

3. Out of what did God create this universe of ours?

Hebrews 11:3 __________________________________________________

4. Who of the three persons of the Godhead actually created this world?

John 1:1-3 __________________________________________________

Note: According to verse 14, the “Word” is Jesus Christ who “was made flesh and dwelt among us.” Jesus who created us is also the One who redeemed us.

5. What promise did Jesus make before returning to heaven?

John 14:2 __________________________________________________

Note: What Christ was implying is that in heaven there is room for everybody. No one will be lost who accepts by faith the gift of salvation offered in Christ. This is the good news of the gospel.

6. Where will Christ take the believers at His Second Coming?

John 14:3 __________________________________________________

Note: Heaven is God’s dwelling place and that is where Christ will take the saints when He comes the second time.

7. What will happen to this earth at the second coming of Christ?

2 Peter 3:10 __________________________________________________

Note: Because “God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29), nothing that has been tainted by sin will be able to withstand Christ’s full glory at His coming.

8. To what do believers look forward because of the plan of redemption?

2 Peter 3:13 __________________________________________________

Note: Heaven will not be the permanent home of the saints. The earth made new will be the final home of the saved, a world in which dwells righteousness.

9. What will this world be like when Christ takes the saints to heaven?

Jeremiah 4:23 __________________________________________________

10. What will happen to life and the vegetation at Christ’s Second Advent?

Jeremiah 4:25,26 __________________________________________________

Note: Sin will ultimately destroy this earth and all life in it. Once again, this world of ours will be reduced to what it was before creation, “without form and void.” It is to this destroyed earth Satan will be bound for a thousand years.

11. Will this earth remain desolate forever?

Jeremiah 4:27 __________________________________________________

Note: God’s plan is to eventually restore this earth to its original perfection.

12. What promise did Christ make to His disciples in this beatitude?

Matthew 5:5 __________________________________________________

Note: The meek are all those who have lost all confidence in self and are depending entirely on the righteousness of Christ for their salvation.

13. How long will the saints reign with Christ in heaven?

Revelation 20:6 __________________________________________________

14. What New Covenant promise will be fulfilled in the earth made new?

Revelation 21:3 __________________________________________________

Note: After the thousand years, the saints, along with the Holy City they have been dwelling in, the New Jerusalem, will descend to this earth and become the capital of the earth made new (see verse 2).

15. What special tree will be found growing in the New Jerusalem?

Revelation 22:1, 2 __________________________________________________

16. Describe briefly what life will be like in New Jerusalem:

Revelation 22:3 __________________________________________________

Note: How wonderful it will be to live in such a city. But the greatest joy the saints will experience is to serve their God and their Savior, Jesus Christ.

17. What will God wipe out in the earth made new?

Revelation 21:4 __________________________________________________

Note: Just think of it, no more death or pain or heartaches in the earth made new! According to verse 5, God is going to make “everything new.”

18. Who will be allowed to inherit the earth made new?

Revelation 21:7 __________________________________________________

Note: All those who have overcome unbelief and received by faith God’s gift of salvation will inherit the earth made new. Only those who have deliberately and ultimately refused Christ as their Savior will be destroyed forever (verse 8).

19. Briefly describe what life will be like in the earth made new.

Isaiah 65:21, 22 __________________________________________________

20. What other description of the new earth does Isaiah give us?

Isaiah 65:25 __________________________________________________

21. Will illness ever threaten the lives of God’s people in the new earth?

Isaiah 33:24 __________________________________________________

Note: What a future! Surely the new earth will be paradise restored. Therefore, anyone who refuses such an offer, which God makes us through the gospel of Jesus Christ, needs to think twice what he or she is rejecting.

22. Will sin ever rise again in the new earth?

Nahum 1:9 __________________________________________________

Note: Sin will not rise up a second time to plague the new earth. That is not because God will take away our freedom of choice but because the saints will know first-hand what sin is. They will hate sin for what it did to Christ on the cross and the thought of rebellion against God will never enter their minds.

23. What two things are required of all believers to inherit the new earth?

Note: Nowhere in the Bible does it teach that once saved means always saved. As Jesus stated in Matthew 10:22, only those whose faith has endured to the end will be saved. Hebrews 10:38 says the same thing. This is what it means to have the perseverance of the saints. Even if it costs us our lives, if we are to make it to heaven and the earth made new, our faith in Christ must be unshakable. Jesus does not want believers to lose their confidence in Him and, therefore, He wants our faith to endure unto the end. His final words in the Bible are, “Surely I come quickly.” May your response to this promise be, “Amen. Even so come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20). The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and forever more. Amen.

CONGRATULATIONS!! YOU HAVE COMPLETED THIS BIBLE COURSE.