Mark Sorensen As I gave the message on “New Creation” in our Long Story Short series, there was something I wanted to share but didn’t. It just didn’t feel like it was the right time. But now? On the other side of a week’s vacation where I disconnected and spent a majority of my time swinging in a hammock by the beach in Belize? I have to address it.
Look at what John writes in Revelation 21:1:
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. (KJV)
Here, John gets a vision of the new heaven and a new earth. The new earth? Amazing. But a new heaven as well? Even more amazing. But these two things aren’t what shook me. What shook me were the last six words found in Revelation 21:1: “…and there was no more sea.” I remember reading this and thinking, “Wait. What!? But, Lord! I love the beach! I sleep to a sound machine with waves! No more ocean? No more searching for sea shells?”
Maybe it sounds silly but, honestly, I have always loved the beach and seeing the words, “no more sea,” rocked my world. But then, after taking a breath, I read a little more into the commentaries to see if, perhaps, there was something deeper happening under the surface of this (pun intended) that, I was missing.
Many believe that what John is saying here in Revelation 21:1 is metaphorical. Meaning, that there’s something within the use of “sea” that John is wanting us to know will not be found in heaven. Curious? It’s summed up in one single, little word: chaos.
Throughout much of scripture, the sea is noted as a place of chaos. It swirls and storms. It’s unpredictable and it can turn on you in a moment’s notice (just ask the disciples in Mark 4:35-41). Here, John points out that when the new heaven and new earth are formed, what will not be a part of this new world is chaos. No more unpredictability. No more storms. No more raging winds, hidden sea monsters and violence. God will, as God promised, make all things new.
Hearing and reading that? I’m all in. Sign me up. 😊 However, here’s the thing: we’re not experiencing the new heaven and new earth as you read this. We still live in a world where chaos, storms, unpredictability and brokenness abound. Just don’t lose sight of this: God is still at work in the world. Jesus still breathes peace over us all through the Holy Spirit and hope will always be on the horizon.
This Sunday, I have a special message that the Lord has placed on my heart to share. It’s an important one that I believe we all need to hear. So, I hope to see you. Reach out. Invite someone. Let’s gather together and remember that, at God’s table, every single one of us has a seat.
