Join us on this enlightening episode of Hope for Today as David Hawking delves into the mysteries of heaven and the ultimate future laid out in the Book of Revelation. Discover how the perpetual watchful eye of God unfolds throughout the scriptures and marvel at the insights on the new heaven and new earth. Through verses in Revelation 21, we explore the promise of a world where sorrow and pain are no more and anticipate the new Jerusalem coming down from beyond the stars.
Years ago when I was growing up in Sunday school, they used to have a little chorus. He sees all you do and he hears all you say. My Lord is writing all the time. I was so afraid. I saw God with this long tablet. And he kept writing all, he saw everything I did. I was scared. I’m glad one day I learned that he blotted out our transgressions. But the idea of the Lord watching you, if you’re walking with the Lord, no problem. It’s a great joy and blessing. But if you’re not walking with him, it’s a reminder you haven’t done anything that he didn’t know you did.
SPEAKER 02 :
There’s a moment in every heart when you suddenly realize God sees you. Not like a child trembling under the thought of being watched, but the weight of knowing the one who will one day make all things new has seen every moment of your life? What if the final chapter, the last breath, the last heartbeat, was already written? What if he’s not holding a record against you, but preparing a future beyond anything you’ve ever imagined? A future where pain ends, tears dry, and the world fades. But also a future where truth stands, and every soul must face it. Because the same God who wipes away every tear also says there’s a place for those who refuse him. This is Hope for Today with David Hawking, and today we’re moving into Revelation chapter 21 in our Revelation series. We’ll be focusing on verses 1 through 8 with day one of David’s message, a new heaven, a new earth. He’ll begin in just a moment. First, let me quickly tell you about learning to praise in the Psalms. This is David’s one-year devotional book through the Psalms. It’s a study tool that remains one of the most requested and timeless resources from Hope for Today. Listen, this will guide you day by day through all of 2026, starting January 1st, with Scripture, Reflection, and Prayer, a daily devotional based in a passage from the Psalms. And you can get this, it’s just $20, and you can order by visiting davidhocking.org. That’s our website, davidhocking.org, or call us at 800-75-BIBLE, that’s in the U.S., or 888-75-BIBLE in Canada. Make this your daily companion, beginning each morning in God’s Word, learning to praise Him through every day of 2026. Learning to praise in the Psalms. Now turn to Revelation chapter 21, verses 1 through 8, and here’s David with day one of New Heaven and New Earth.
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Let me remind you of the general outline of the book, because we’re at the third major division, and there are three major divisions. We have, first of all, chapter 1 through chapter 3, verse 22, where we learn that he is Lord of the churches. He’s walking in the midst of the churches. He’s giving his evaluation of the churches. He is Lord of the churches. The Bible calls him the head of the church, which is his body. But in chapter 4, verse 1, to chapter 20, verse 15, where we’ve seen the tribulation period unfold, and as was introduced in chapter 5, he is lying over the nations. The lion of the tribe of Judah was introduced to us in chapter 5, who is exercising the judgment of Almighty God against a world that’s turned its back on him. He’s a lion over the nations, chapter 4, verse 1, to the end of chapter 20. So now we come to the third division, where we learn that Christ is Lamb among the redeemed. The Lamb among the redeemed, chapter 21 and 22. The Lamb is the favorite title of Jesus in the book of Revelation. used about 28 times. Now, we’re also talking about heaven here in Revelation 21. The word heaven itself appears 582 times in the King James Version of the Bible. And the word heavens, plural and additional, 133 times, meaning that over 700 times we have the mention of heaven in the Bible. Revelation 21, and let’s begin at verse 1 down to verse 8. 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. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write, for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is a thirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable and murderers and whoremongers and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. So we’re right back on the hell message again there. The Bible says in Genesis 1.1 that God created the heaven and the earth. In 1 Kings 8, 27, we’re told that the heaven of heavens cannot contain God. God created the heaven and the earth, but he is greater than that which he created. And all of the heavens that he created all fit within his presence. He’s everywhere, and he lives both inside and outside of everything which he made. And he made the heavens and the earth. It’s a phenomenal concept when you start thinking about it. Now, according to the Bible, there are three heavens. We’ll look at that in just a moment. But in Psalm 23, verse 6, which is a psalm saying the Lord is my shepherd, look at verse 6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. That’s what it’s like to live with the Lord. Goodness and mercy. Sometimes we don’t perceive that as we should. But it’s true. It follows you all the days of your life. But here’s that statement. I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. We’re going to talk about the house of the Lord. where we’re going to dwell forever. Go to John chapter 14. John chapter 14. The night before Jesus went to the cross, he gave the disciples this wonderful message. John chapter 14. He said, let not your heart be troubled. The assumption is that it usually is. We’re always troubled about something. His answer to all that I’m going through is to think about what’s coming. You believe in God, you believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions. Psalm 23, 6, the house of the Lord. John 14, 2, many mansions. My father’s house, many mansions, he said. If it were not so, I would have told you I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there you may be also. Now go over to Hebrews chapter 11. The house of the Lord, or many mansions. Now Hebrews chapter 11, which we sometimes call the hall of faith, But Hebrews 11, beginning at verse 13 to verse 16, it says, These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from which they came out, they might have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better country. We’re not talking an earthly one here. That is an heavenly house of the Lord, many mansions, heavenly country, whereof God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a what? A city, house of the Lord, many mansions, heavenly country, a city prepared by God himself. Look at chapter 12 now of Hebrews, verse 22. In describing that wonderful place, we have a few more details here. Hebrews 12, 22 says, but you are come unto Mount Zion. Sometimes those who believe in Israel’s restoration and return to the land are called Zionists. Mount Zion is a messianic prophetic term for the millennial kingdom that will one day come with the Messiah. You are come to Mount Zion. All of the Jewish hope is wrapped up in this. And under the city of the living God. And here it’s identified, the heavenly Jerusalem. You see, there is an earthly one. And to an innumerable company of angels, you can’t count them, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn. Wouldn’t it be exciting in heaven when you get there and a couple angels come up to you and say, by the way, I was watching over you, and boy, you were trouble. Can you imagine what it’s going to be like as a psalmist says he even encamps a host of angels around those who trust in him? It says to the general assembly and church of the firstborn. who are written in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, Old Testament saints, and to Jesus, there’s the highlight, the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel. Oh, I tell you, friends, there’s more coming. than we can imagine. House of the Lord, many mansions, heavenly country, city, Mount Zion, New Jerusalem, heavenly Jerusalem. What an exciting place that’s going to be. Now, I said there were three heavens. Go to 2 Corinthians chapter 12. 2 Corinthians chapter 12 says, Verse 2, last phrase, such a one caught up to the third heaven. That’s where we get the idea of three heavens. In Psalm 115, Psalm 115, verse 15 and 16. It’s a very interesting statement. It says, ye are blessed by the Lord who made heaven and earth, the heaven, even the heavens. So we know there’s more than one. The heaven, even the heavens are the Lord’s, but the earth hath he given to the children of men. That verse is one of the reasons why I don’t believe there’s human life or something even close to it on other planets. I think the Bible’s quite clear that the earth was for the children of men, and it is the center of God’s redemptive program, and I do not believe there are other humanoids on other planets. They are part of the heaven and the heavens, which are the Lord’s, and that’s where his dwelling place is. but the earth he gave to the children of men. He also said in Psalm 24, 1, that the earth is the Lord’s and its fullness. It belongs to him, but he gave it to the sons of men. That’s true also of the land of Israel, which he describes in detail its geographical boundaries and said, I gave it to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and so on. But he said, this land is mine. You don’t own it. I own it. Who owns that land? God does. And he gave it to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But there are three heavens. We have, first of all, the earth atmosphere, where the birds and the clouds are. In Genesis chapter 1, verse 20, just so we understand what we’re talking about here, when you talk to your children and you tell them, do you want to go to heaven? What are you talking about? We have heaven, the earth’s atmosphere, where there are birds and clouds. Genesis 1.20 says, God said, let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, fish, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven or expanse of heaven. So there is earth’s atmosphere. Psalm 104 verse 12 has a similar message for us. By them shall the fowls of the heavens have their habitation that sing among the branches. So the atmosphere around the earth where the birds are and the clouds, that is called heaven in the Bible. The second heaven is what we call outer space. It involves the stellar heavens. We sometimes refer to them as galaxies. By the way, if you go back to Genesis 1, 14 to 18, you have that also stated. Genesis 1, 14 to 18 says, And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons, for days and years. And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth. And it was so. And God made two great lights, the greater light to rule the day, that’s the sun, the lesser light to rule the night, the moon. And he made the stars also, and God set them, in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth and to rule over the day and over the night and to divide the light from the darkness and God saw that was good. So we do know that all the stellar heavens are also heaven. Heaven where the birds are, heaven where all the galaxies, all the stars are, outer space. But the third heaven is where God dwells. Let’s go to Psalm chapter 11. It’s very clear in the Bible that there is a heaven, which Paul called the third heaven where God dwells, a heaven where God is that’s out beyond stellar space. I don’t know where it is. But in that heaven, God is building a new city. And we’re about ready to see the details of that beautiful city that will come down out of heaven from God. It’s in the third heaven. And it’s going to come down. In Psalm 11, verse 4, it says, the Lord is in his holy temple. The Lord’s, here it is, the Lord’s throne is in what? Heaven. That’s what it says. Look at Psalm 14, verse 2. The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men. So where is God? He’s in heaven. But he fills the universe with himself, and the heaven of heavens cannot contain him. A very interesting problem, but he can localize his presence. And his throne, from which he manages everything, sustains all the universes so they don’t crash together. He upholds all things by the word of his power. But the throne, from which his sovereignty rules over all, and all the affairs of men as well, is in a place called heaven. In Psalm 20, verse 6. Psalm 20, verse 6. Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed. He will hear him from his holy heaven. The one that’s separate. Holy means to be separate. So he has separated one of these heavens from the other heavens. And that’s where he dwells. And he hears from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. In spite of where he is, that it’s out beyond stellar space, in terms of his throne, his dwelling place where the new city is being designed, yet he hears the prayers of the humblest, most insignificant person on this planet who calls him Lord. It’s incredible. Psalm 33, look at verse 13 and 14. The Lord is observing things down here from that heaven. It says, the Lord looketh from heaven. He beholdeth all the sons of men from the place of his habitation. He looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. Interesting, God’s constant observation of all the people on this earth. He’s watching us all the time. And that can be a great blessing. The Lord’s been watching you all day. Chapter 73, look at verse 25. Chapter 73, verse 25. I love this. Whom have I in heaven but thee? Isn’t that beautiful? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. In chapter 89, verse 6. Chapter 89, verse 6. For who in the heavens, plural, all of them, can be compared unto the Lord? Who can be compared unto him? Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord? Chapter 102, verse 19. For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary. From heaven did the Lord behold the earth. Now, the sanctuary means the place where God dwells and has made his habitation. For instance, the temple is a sanctuary. The tabernacle was a sanctuary. Heaven, where God dwells, is a sanctuary. Your body becomes a sanctuary. The temple of the Holy Spirit, which is in you, which you have of God. You are the temple of the living God, he tells the church. There were buildings that were sanctuaries, tabernacle and temple, but buildings today are not the sanctuary. People are the sanctuary of the Lord. No, the holy place is your heart where God dwells. Very important to understand that. But anyway, God does have a sanctuary in that third heaven. He looked down from, and notice the language, from the height of his sanctuary. God speaks frequently in the Old Testament. We’re not going to look at all those references about how high is the place where he dwells. He’s out beyond stellar space. Well, you know what we’ve found in stellar space so far. It’s incredible to even think about where that throne of God is and where that new city is. And it’s going to come out of that third heaven. And imagine that he’s going to bring it down to this little planet called Earth.
SPEAKER 02 :
That’s Bible teacher David Hawking, and you’re listening to Hope for Today. David will be back in just a bit to close out our time in a word for today, so don’t go anywhere. Right before that, David’s son Matt and I have a beautiful Christmastime resource. You’ve got to see this. I really think you’re going to love this, particularly during the Christmas season.
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Matt? What evidence does the Bible give us that Jesus is in fact the Almighty God? And can that claim be proven from the scriptures?
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David Hawking takes readers to that evidence with his concise, encouraging, and hope-filled compact book, Jesus Christ the Reason. And Matt, this book really broadens and deepens our appreciation for Christmas.
SPEAKER 01 :
You know, Isaiah 9-6 says, For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder. And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
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And when we dive deep into the scriptures to study our Savior, Christmas becomes brighter, more vibrant, overflowing with hope and healing. And that’s just what Jesus Christ, the reason, brings to readers.
SPEAKER 01 :
Which is exactly why we’re offering it as part of a special Christmas 2025 Hope for Today Christmas package for our listening family. The 2025 Christmas package also contains a three-message audio miniseries taught by my dad that also carries the title Jesus Christ, The Reason. And the complete package is just $20.
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Your purchase today will make the holidays that much more meaningful and special for years to come, and it will help the ministry of Hope for Today. We are a listener-sponsored radio and online ministry. And as you consider year-end giving, please prayerfully consider Hope for Today. You can get the Jesus Christ the Reason package in time for Christmas, and it’s just $20. Remember, we also have the book we mentioned at the beginning of today’s broadcast, David’s one-year devotional, Learning to Praise in the Psalms, and that’s also $20. Get this or both resources by calling 800-75-BIBLE, that’s in the U.S., or 888-75-BIBLE in Canada, and Bible by the numbers 242. And just before David returns, as we’re coming to the close of the year, we’re asking those who love this ministry to stand with us. financially. Your gift right now will help us finish the year strong and reaching even more folks with the gospel of Jesus Christ and fortifying believers with a faithful teaching of God’s word throughout 2026. Listen, if these teachings have encouraged you, would you consider a special year-end donation? You can give online at davidhawking.org or call us at 875-BIBLE. Again, that’s in the U.S., or 888-75-BIBLE in Canada. If you prefer to make a donation by mail, in the U.S., write to Hope for Today, Box 3927, Tustin, California, 92781. In Canada, write to Hope for Today, Box 15011, RPO7OAKS, Abbotsford, B.C., V2S 8P1. And thank you for standing with us as we continue to proclaim the truth of God’s Word. Your gift makes you a part of this ministry. David?
SPEAKER 03 :
Thanks for listening to our broadcast today. And boy, it’s pretty exciting. We’re in chapter 21 and 22. Do you remember the outline of the book of Revelation? We have our Lord as the Lord of the churches, chapter 2 and 3. Then we have Him as Lion over the nations through all the tribulation period, chapter 4, clear to 19. And then the final one, He’s the Lamb among the redeemed, and that’s chapter 21 and 22. And that’s where we are now. And John saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem. He tells you where it comes from. Coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride. adorned for her husband. Listen, friends, what’s coming in the future is absolutely spectacular, and beyond our human ability to really understand and put it together, we’re totally dependent upon what the Word of God actually says. And one of the things I want you to see and Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them. They shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them and be their God. What wonderful words! That sweet day is coming, friends. The tribulation will be awful on planet earth. I don’t expect to be here, do you? I believe in the pre-tribulational rapture of the church. But after the tribulation, there’s going to be a brand new world. God bless you.
SPEAKER 02 :
Thank you, David. And on our next broadcast, we’ll look deeper into the final Word of God on eternity itself with Day 2 of New Heaven and New Earth. And we’ll see you then, right here on Hope for Today.
