God wanted to make it very clear that we “rightly dividing the word of truth” from the very beginning. Noticed the singular word “heaven” and not “heavens” like so many other translations. This is so we would not miss the cross reference found over in Revelation 21:1. It is here that we also find the singular word “heaven” and not “heavens”.
“heaven and the earth” Genesis 1:1
“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 relationship between “a new heaven and a new earth” and that of “the first heaven and the first earth” is a large body of water called a “sea”. Clearly “the first heaven and the first earth” is found in Genesis 1:1. In the very next verse in Genesis 1:2 we find the “sea” that is mentioned in Revelation 21:1 as “the face of the deep”.
The important thing to remember is that “the first heaven and the first earth were passed away” (Genesis 1:1 Revelation 21:1) by a large body of water found as “the face of the deep” and “the face of the waters” in Genesis 1:2. This body of water is called “sea” in Revelation 21:1.
Now that we have found our cross reference we are able to look further for other references for more information.
“For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” 2 Peter 3:5-8
Noticed the context of 2 Peter is “the beginning of the creation” (2 Peter 3:4).
“Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished (Genesis 1:1 Revelation 21:1): But the heavens and the earth, which are now (Genesis 2:1 Job 9:8), by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” 2 Peter 3:6-7
We will in a later post find that this large body of water which includes what we call out space, and our Bible calles the sea is the judgment upon the world and “the crooked serpent” from Genesis 1:2 throughout our Bible till Revelation 21:1 when God Himself finally comes out of heaven and sits on the throne of David in the new Jerusalem.