Heaven at Last

In this message centering on Revelation 21:1–8, Chuck Swindoll opens the gates to the eternal destination of the believer: the New Heaven and the New Earth. After journeying through the judgments and tribulations of earlier chapters, Swindoll notes that the narrative finally shifts to a place of ultimate relief and restoration. He explains that this “new” creation is not merely a renovation of the old, but a completely fresh existence where the former atmosphere and terrain have passed away.

Swindoll guides the listener through the “magnificent negatives” of this new world—the specific sources of earthly sorrow that God removes. He highlights the absence of the sea, explaining that in a perfect world, the earth no longer needs a cleansing “antiseptic” system. He moves through the list of other absences: no more tears, death, mourning, or pain. Swindoll emphasizes the intimacy of the New Jerusalem, where God no longer dwells in a temple or at a distance, but “tabernacles” directly among His people, offering a face-to-face relationship that eliminates the need for intermediaries [11–13, 16–17].

The message concludes with a focus on hope and inheritance. Swindoll contrasts the disappointment of earthly inheritances with the richness of becoming a son or daughter of God. Sharing the moving testimony of Joni Eareckson Tada, he illustrates how the promise of heaven offers specific hope to those suffering in broken bodies. He ends with three practical takeaways: any place God plans to be is where you want to be; anything God removes is something you no longer need; and anytime God makes an offer, you are wise to accept it [29, 32–34].

Message Key Facts:

• The Meaning of “New”: Swindoll explains that the Greek word for “new” used in Revelation 21:1 refers to something qualitative—fresh, unique, and never seen before—rather than just chronologically new.
• Why No Sea? Addressing the statement “there is no longer any sea,” Swindoll cites David McLeod to explain that the ocean currently acts as a global antiseptic and sewer system to cleanse a polluted earth. In a perfect, unpolluted new earth, this harsh saline cleansing system is no longer necessary [11–13].
• The Transcontinental Railroad: To illustrate the ubiquity of death, Swindoll shares a historical anecdote about the building of the Transcontinental Railroad. Engineers claimed their greatest obstacle was not mountains or rivers, but cemeteries, which were everywhere—a problem that will not exist in heaven.
• The Seven “No Mores”: Swindoll lists the things that are conspicuously absent from the new creation:
  1. No Sea (pollution/cleansing not needed).
  2. No Tears (sorrow is wiped away).
  3. No Death (the end of cemeteries).
  4. No Mourning (grief is gone).
  5. No Crying (anguish ceases).
  6. No Pain (physical and emotional suffering ends).
  7. No Curse/Night (referenced from Revelation 22) [20–23].
• The Gas Well Inheritance: Swindoll shares a humorous personal story about receiving an inheritance from a grandfather’s gas well, which amounted to a check for 86 cents. He contrasts this pitiful earthly inheritance with the promise in verse 7 (“He who overcomes will inherit these things”), which is a full, priceless payout.
• Joni Eareckson Tada’s Hope: Swindoll quotes Joni Eareckson Tada, a quadriplegic since 1967, who writes that her spinal cord injury will not keep her from the pleasures of the new earth—dancing, horseback riding, and simply hopping out of bed. This illustrates that heaven is the ultimate hope for the disabled [33–34].
• Three Closing Principles:
  1. Any place God plans to be, you want to be there.
  2. Anything God removes, you don’t need. (God replaces lost loved ones and comforts with His own presence).
  3. Anytime God makes an offer, you’re wise to accept it. (Referring to the free water of life) [32–33].

Message References:

• Revelation 21:1–8: The primary text describing the New Heaven, New Earth, the New Jerusalem, and the list of things that have passed away.
• Revelation 21:3: “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them”.
• 1 Corinthians 13:12: “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully”.
• 1 John 3:2: “We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is”.
• 2 Peter 3:13: Referenced regarding the promise of a new heaven and a new earth.
• Revelation 22:3 & 5: Referenced regarding the absence of the curse and the absence of night.

Message Speaker:

Pastor Chuck Swindoll