The ultimate destiny of all creation
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them [as their God]. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, [for] the old order has passed away.'" (Revelation 21:1–4) This final vision of Saint John the Apostle unveils the ultimate destiny of creation and the culmination of divine salvation: the advent of the new heaven and new earth, and the eternal communion between God and His redeemed people. The image of the new Jerusalem descending from heaven evokes not an escape from the world but its transformation by divine grace. The ol...