The statement “there was no longer any sea” in Revelation 21:1 has sparked much discussion and debate among Bible scholars over the years. At face value, it seems to imply that oceans and seas will not exist in the new heaven and new earth that God will create. However, looking at the context and the rest of Scripture provides some clarification on what this cryptic phrase likely means.
The Context of Revelation 21:1
The verse in question states:
“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)
This statement comes within the broader context of Revelation 21-22, which describes the new creation that will come about after God judges evil and establishes His eternal kingdom. The “sea being no more” is one detail within this larger depiction of the new creation.
In the previous chapter, John witnessed the old order passing away – the first heaven, the first earth, and the sea (Revelation 20:11). Chapter 21 then shifts to describing the “new heaven” and “new earth” that replace the old corrupted order. The statement about the sea points back to what was just mentioned in 20:11, emphasizing that the sea is no more because it belonged to the old creation.
So in context, the statement seems to convey that the sea is gone because it was part of the old fallen world that has now passed away. The new creation no longer includes the sea that was part of the old creation.
The Symbolic Nature of Revelation’s Language
When interpreting any part of Revelation, it’s important to recognize the highly symbolic nature of its language. Revelation contains many vivid images and metaphors that are not necessarily intended to be taken in a strict literal sense.
For example, later in Revelation 21, the New Jerusalem is depicted as a giant cube-shaped city made of precious jewels and metals (v. 16-21). The enormous size and strange shape are not meant to provide architectural blueprints for a real city. Rather, the glittering jewels point metaphorically to the beauty, value, and God’s presence within the city.
Likewise, the “sea was no more” statement should probably not be taken as a plain geographical fact about oceans not existing. Rather, it’s more likely using symbolic language to convey truths about the character of the new creation. Just as the jeweled cubes symbolize God’s glorious presence, the missing sea hints at important theological truths.
The Sea as a Symbol of Chaos and Evil
Throughout the Bible, the sea often symbolizes turmoil, chaos, and evil. A few examples:
- The sea represents the chaotic forces of evil that God conquers at creation (Genesis 1:2, 6-10; Psalm 104:5-9)
- Wicked sea monsters symbolize Israel’s enemies that God will destroy (Psalm 74:13-14; Isaiah 27:1)
- The unstable sea depicts the wicked who cannot rest (Isaiah 57:20)
- The beast of Revelation arises from the chaotic sea (Revelation 13:1)
In ancient Near Eastern cosmology, the sea represented dark, foreboding forces of chaos and evil that God had to subdue to bring order and establish creation. The Old Testament authors tapped into this same symbolic imagery. The turbulent seas embodied sinister spiritual forces opposed to God.
When Revelation says the new creation has no sea, it likely communicates theological truths using this established symbolic motif. Just as there is no Chaos Monster present in God’s new creation, there is no more sea representing chaos and evil.
The Sea’s Absence Reflects Changes in the New Creation
More specifically, the statement about the missing sea in Revelation 21:1 points to key differences between the old fallen creation and the new creation God will establish:
- No more chaos and disorder: The new creation will have no room for the chaos and turmoil symbolized by the sea.
- No evil or impurity: With the sea gone, no evil force or impure thing will taint the new creation.
- No more separation between God and humans: In ancient cosmology, the sea represented a barrier separating the heavens and the earth. Its removal signifies God dwelling closely with His people.
- A creation completely under God’s rule: With no tumultuous sea, the new creation will be completely ordered and tranquil under God’s perfect rule.
The absence of the sea powerfully reinforces Revelation’s key theme – God finally establishing His perfect kingdom and making all things new. The missing sea points to the glorious nature of the new creation, devoid of all chaos, evil, and separation from God.
The “No More Sea” is Not an Exact Geographical Description
Does the symbolic meaning of the sea statement mean there will literally be no bodies of water in eternity? Most Bible scholars think not. Taken in its literary and historical context, Revelation 21:1 is probably not intended as an exact geographical statement about the topography of the new earth.
The prophets sometimes described the messianic kingdom in hyperbolic terms that were not meant literally. For example, Isaiah 11:6-9 describes wolves, lambs, leopards, lions, and children all coexisting peacefully. This hyperbole symbolizes the peace and harmony of the kingdom, not an actual change in animal biology. In the same way, Revelation’s missing sea is a hyperbolic way to convey spiritual truths about the character of the new creation.
Additionally, the rest of the Bible indicates there will still be bodies of water on the new earth:
- The prophet Ezekiel described a life-giving river flowing from the temple in the new Jerusalem (Ezekiel 47:1-12).
- Psalm 46:4 describes a river bringing joy to the city of God.
- Revelation 22:1-2 describes the river of life flowing through the city.
Based on the whole counsel of Scripture, it seems oceans and rivers will still exist on the new earth. The no more sea statement is not intended to give a precise geographical layout. Rather, it powerfully reinforces the theological truths about God’s new creation using symbolic imagery.
Conclusion: The Sea No More as Symbol and Hope
In the end, we cannot know exactly what the new creation will look like. But Revelation gives us glimpses filled with symbolic meaning. The absence of the sea is one such image – conveying vital truths through symbolic language.
The picture of the sea no more points ahead to the glorious kingdom where no trace of evil or disorder remains. All is pure, peaceful, and marked by God’s perfect presence. What a day that will be! This symbolic image gives us hope to persevere until God makes all things new.