Revelation 21:1 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

And I saw — So it runs, Revelation 19:11, Revelation 20:1, Revelation 20:4, Revelation 20:11, in a succession. All these several representations follow one another in order: so the vision reaches into eternity. A new heaven and a new earth — After the resurrection and general judgment. St. John is not now describing a flourishing state of the church, but a new and eternal state of all things. For the first heaven and the first earth — Not only the lowest part of heaven, not only the solar system, but the whole ethereal heaven, with all its host, whether of planets or fixed stars, Isaiah 34:4; Matthew 24:29. All the former things will be done away, that all may become new, Revelation 20:4-5, 2 Peter 3:10, 2 Peter 3:12. Are passed away — But in the fourth verse it is said, "are gone away." There the stronger word is used; for death, mourning, and sorrow go away all together: the former heaven and earth only pass away, giving place to the new heaven and the new earth.