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. ~ Revelation 21:1

The word earth in the text above comes from the Greek word “ghay.” It is used to reference both the new earth and the first earth.

This Greek word “ghay” is contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application): – country, earth (-ly), ground, land, world. (Source, Strong’s Concordance)

It is used a total of 252 times, and is found in 226 verses in the New Testament.

It is translated as: land, earth, country, and ground; it is always used in reference to the actual physical planet, earth. Never once is it used in a spiritual or mystical fashion.

In Hebrews 1, the writer of Hebrews tells us the following:

10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;

12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. ~ Hebrews 1:10-12

Notice that the author of Hebrews tells us that Jesus laid the foundation of the earth and the heavens are the works of his hand. He goes on to describes how these are going to be changed as well:

They (the heavens and the earth) shall perish; but thou remainest; and they (the heavens and the earth) all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them (the heavens and the earth) up, and they (the heavens and the earth) shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

The author of Hebrews is speaking of the exact same thing that John saw, when John says, I saw a new heaven and a new earth. ~ Revelation 21:1

In chapter 2, the writer of Hebrews tells us about the coming world of the new heaven and new earth:

5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection THE WORLD TO COME, whereof we speak.

6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him?

7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honor, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:

8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. 

9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. ~ Hebrews 2:5-9

Notice that the writer tells us that we do not now see all thing that were put under man’s dominion, but we do see Jesus.

In chapter one, where the writer says the heavens and the earth will be folded up like a vesture (an old garment), he goes on to say, But to which of the angels said he at an y time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? ~ Hebrews 1:13

God has exalted Jesus as both Lord and King, and by His Holy Spirit, God is going to subdue all of Christ’s enemies under his feet. Christ is the last Adam, and he is the one who has been given “all authority” in heaven and earth.

His Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom with no end. According to scripture, the last enemy that will be put under foot is death.

25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.

28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:25-28

Man was created to have dominion over the works of God’s hands, but sin caused an interruption.

In Romans 8, the apostle Paul tells us the following:

19 For the earnest expectation of the creature (creation) waits for the manifestation of the sons of God.

20 For the creature (creation) was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him who hath subjected the same in hope,

21 Because the creature (creation) itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. ~ Romans 8:19-21

According to Paul, God has subjected creation to vanity in hope of full redemption. Creation is groaning in earnest expectation for the manifestation of the sons of God.

Paul then goes on to say the following:

22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. ~ Romans 8:22-23

The redemption of our bodies is a specific reference to the coming resurrection in which the people of God will experience the resurrection of their mortal bodies. Though our bodies are now subject to death, they will put on life and immortality: death will be swallowed up in victory.

Jesus is the redeemer, not only of mankind, but of the whole creation

19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled… ~ Colossians 1:19-21

Jesus is the creator of the heavens and the earth, and he is the one who is going to fold them like an old garment and bring into being the new by his own power.

This will happen when the last enemy, death, is put under foot, and God’s people are clothed in with their resurrected bodies!