In recent years, some Christian theologians have proposed that we are already living in the new heavens and new earth described in Scripture. This view, often associated with partial preterism, claims that the new creation arrived with Christ’s first coming. But is this perspective biblically sound? Let’s examine the evidence and implications.
The Partial Preterist View
Partial preterists believe that many end-times prophecies were fulfilled in the first century, particularly around 70 AD with the destruction of Jerusalem. Some extend this to argue that the new creation has already begun. They point to verses like:
- “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
- “For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.” (Galatians 6:15)
They claim these passages show we’re already living in the new creation spiritually. Some even argue that the physical new heavens and earth arrived in some sense with Christ’s resurrection.
Problems with the “Already Here” View
While partial preterists raise some interesting points, there are several issues with claiming we’re currently in the new heavens and new earth:
1. Ongoing presence of sin and death
The Bible describes the new creation as a place without sin, death, or suffering:
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
Yet we clearly still experience all of these things in our present world. Sin and death continue to reign.
2. Unfulfilled prophecies
Many Old and New Testament prophecies about the new creation remain unfulfilled:
- The wolf dwelling with the lamb (Isaiah 11:6)
- No more sea (Revelation 21:1)
- New Jerusalem descending from heaven (Revelation 21:2)
- God dwelling with man (Revelation 21:3)
These prophecies describe radical changes to the natural order that have not occurred.
3. Future tense in Scripture
The Bible consistently speaks of the new heavens and new earth as a future reality:
“But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:13)
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.” (Revelation 21:1)
These passages place the new creation firmly in the future, not the present.
4. Destruction of present world
Scripture teaches that the current heavens and earth will be destroyed before the new creation:
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.” (2 Peter 3:10)
This cataclysmic event has not yet occurred.
5. Confusion of “already” and “not yet”
While believers experience spiritual renewal now, the full physical renewal of creation is still future. Claiming we’re in the new heavens and earth now confuses these two aspects.
The Biblical View: A Future Hope
A careful examination of Scripture reveals that the new heavens and new earth are still to come. Consider this timeline of end-times events:
- The rapture of the church
- The 7-year tribulation period
- Christ’s second coming
- The millennial kingdom
- The final judgment
- The new heavens and new earth
This sequence places the new creation as the final stage of God’s redemptive plan, after Christ’s millennial reign.
Why It Matters
Believing we’re already in the new creation can lead to several problems:
- Diminished hope – If the new heavens and earth are here, what ultimate hope do believers have to look forward to?
- Confusion about evil – How do we explain the ongoing presence of sin, death, and Satan’s influence if the new creation has arrived?
- Misinterpretation of Scripture – Claiming prophecies are fulfilled when they clearly aren’t twists the plain meaning of the text.
- Complacency – If this is as good as it gets, why strive for holiness or evangelism?
- Disappointment – The current world falls far short of the glorious new creation described in Scripture.
Conclusion
While believers are spiritually renewed in Christ now, the physical new heavens and new earth remain a future hope. This matches the consistent testimony of Scripture and avoids the pitfalls of an “already here” view.
As we await that glorious day, we can rejoice in our present spiritual renewal while looking forward with eager anticipation to the ultimate renewal of all creation. This biblical perspective provides both present comfort and future hope.
“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20)
