“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).
Revelation twenty-one gives us a figurative glimpse of what heaven will be like. The picture of God wiping away all tears, and the thought of death, sorrow, crying, and pain being no more, has been indelibly planted in the minds of Christians whenever we contemplate our future heavenly home. But, John says something else, as he describes the new heaven and new earth, that is often overlooked. He tells us that in that state of bliss there will be “no more sea” (Revelation 21:1).
The language of Revelation twenty-one is figurative and symbolic and hard to completely understand. Accordingly, there have been many positions concerning this sea under consideration. The best approach is to be suggestive and not dogmatic.
In Biblical times the sea was for the most part feared by the majority. The Jews certainly were not sea-lovers. At that time people did not have the kind of instruments and equipment that we have which has made it easier to tame the sea. Their ships were far inferior to what we have, and so, the sea was a very dangerous place. Even in scripture, the sea is referred to as having “raging waves” and a “roaring voice,” and the wicked are said to be like the “troubled sea.” It is this view of the sea, I think, that gives us a little better understanding of heaven being a place where there is no more sea.
Let’s look at some things that might be symbolized by the sea; things that will be pleasantly absent in heaven.
1. The sea might symbolize separation. John wrote the book of Revelation from Patmos, an island in the Aegean Sea. There John was separated from fellow Christians. The sea separated him from his heart’s longing to be back with brethren in Christ.
Today, ironically, when the seas are traveled much more frequently than in times past, it separates family and loved ones more than ever. How many people have loved ones who seem a world apart, separated by the sea?
While the sea may symbolize separation, many things cause separation between loved ones. Envy, strife, pride, gossip, etc., all cause separation between brethren. Sin is perhaps the greatest divider because it separates man from God (Isaiah 59:1-2), as well as each other.
Now, take all of the things that separate us from loved ones, gather all of the heartbreak that has come to you because of the separation of someone you love, even those separated by the sea of death, and think of our text. What kind of place will heaven be? It will be a place where there is no more sea, and where we will never again be separated from our God, or from those we love.
2. The sea might symbolize danger. The raging waves of the sea have claimed many lives over the years. At a moment’s notice, the wind can become boisterous, and the calm of the sea can turn violent, able to destroy the strongest of ships. Then, there are the different sea creatures, such as the shark, ready to attack anyone who happens into its territory.
Life is like the sea in many ways. There is danger everywhere. Even the individual who lives a very safe life, not engaging in foolish things that invite danger, might meet danger at any time. In a world full of sin, danger is around every corner. Satan is prowling the earth like a lion. Ungodly men seek to wreak havoc in the lives of innocent people. Greed, selfishness, ignorance, worldliness, envy, maliciousness, etc., are just a few of the characteristics of this world that make for a dangerous earth. The works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) are such that safety in a society where they prevail is an unsure commodity at best.
In heaven, these things will be gone. The sin that is the root of all danger in our society will be absent in heaven (Revelation 21:27). There will be no adversaries in heaven. There will be no undue hatred or unreasonable anger there. All the things that present danger to us will vanish with the passing of this world. Death and hell will be cast into the lake of fire, along with all the ungodly who have rebelled against the God of heaven (Revelation 20:14-15). Why will heaven be a place where there are no more tears, nor any more sorrow? Because of all that causes hurt and pain; every kind of danger known to man will have passed away.
It is going to take effort to get to heaven. Nobody will make it there by accident, but any sacrifice made, any of the struggles we must endure, is well worth it, for in the new heaven and new earth, there will be no more sea.