Revelation: Chapter 20 Timelines
Setting
To get a glimpse of what we will experience in the new creation, it is instructive to compare and contrast between what is revealed for in the Genesis record against the descriptions of what will be in the new heaven and new earth. Out of this comparison one can see a gracious, loving, and generous God. The Lord will provide a rich environment during this future eternity, which our human imaginations could not fathom. This is in stark contrast to those who refuse to follow the Lord and will therefore spend eternity in the lake of fire, which have likewise been described in the previous chapters in Revelation.
Do not miss this opportunity, and accept Christ in your life now. Just click on the link on the left side of this page titled "Salvation." You will never regret making this decision for Christ. There is an eternal, rich reward in store for you and those who believe and accept Christ in their life.
| Subject | In the beginning (the Genesis record) |
The new beginning (the Revelation record) |
|---|---|---|
| Day - 1 Creation | The world was without form and void, and it was dark Genesis 1:2 |
He makes all things new Revelation 21:5 |
| Day - 1 Light | He created it Genesis 1:3 |
He is the light Revelation 21:23 |
| Day - 1 Darkness | He divided night and day, end of 1st day Genesis 1:5 |
There is no darkness in the city Revelation 21:25, Revelation 22:5 |
| Day - 2 water | He divided the firmament on the 2nd day of creation and then created the seas Genesis 1:7-10 |
There is no sea Revelation 21:1 |
| Day - 3 vegetation | Grass, herbs, seed, fruit trees were the 3rd day of creation Genesis 1:11-13 |
The tree of life giving its fruit and leaves for the healing of the nations Revelation 22:2 |
| Day - 4 heavenly bodies | The stars, moon, and sun for seasons were the 4th day of creation Genesis 1:14-19 |
There is no sun or moon. The fruit from the tree of life is the indicator of time by months Revelation 21:23, Revelation 22:5, Revelation 22:2 |
| Day - 5 fish and fowl | Fill the air and sea, the 5th day of creation Genesis 1:20-23 |
No record is presented |
| Day - 6 living creatures, man and food | Created man to have dominion over the fish, fowl, and every thing with life that moves upon the earth, the 6th day of creation Genesis 1:27-31 |
Man’s role is to serve God and to be identified with him Revelation 22:3-4 |
| Further Comparisons between the Genesis record and the new heaven and new earth | ||
| Spiritual state | esting, with the existence of potential sin within the Genesis creation and the presence of the tree of knowledge of good and evil Genesis 2:9 |
He that over comes shall inherit all things, and those written in the Lamb’s book of life will enter into the new city Revelation 21:7, Revelation 21:27 |
| Rivers | One flowed from Eden, and part into four rivers; Pison, Gihon, Hiddekel, and the Euphrates Genesis 2:10-14 |
A pure river of life, clear as crystal, flows from the throne of God, through the city, and past the tree of life Revelation 22:1-2 |
| Man’s purpose | Man was put in Eden to dress and keep it, and to be fruitful and multiply, to subdue and have dominion over the earth Genesis 2:15, Genesis 1:28 |
His servants shall serve him Revelation 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: |
| Physical presence of God | Not 100%. The Lord was not present during the testing and fall of Adam and Eve Genesis 3:6-7 |
100% of the time. The tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them Revelation 21:3 |
| Curse | God cursed the serpent, the woman, and the man Genesis 3:14-19 |
No more tears, death, sorrow, crying, pain, or curse Revelation 21:4, Revelation 22:3 |
| Access to the tree of life and river of life | Man first had free access to the tree of life, until he sinned and was denied access. This prevented man from living in a sinful condition for eternity. Instead, we look forward to the promises made by Jesus concerning renewed fellowship with him, our new bodies, and a new creation Genesis 3:21-24 |
Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have the right to the tree of life Revelation 22:12-14, Revelation 22:16-17 |