Do you like the sea? If you do, this might be sad news for you. On the new earth, there will not be a sea anymore! “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
Please do not be worried, though. When we say, “I love the sea,” we usually refer to the beach or seashore, not the middle of the dark, deep, and boundless open sea. And God will not take away this beautiful piece of nature from us, as we will gather at the shore of a beautiful river in the new heaven and earth!
Also, though it is not exactly the sea as we know, there is still another sea in heaven. “And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal…” Revelation 4:6. “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.” Revelation 15:2. This sea of glass is definitely not the sea we know, as it is not made of water. Therefore, the Bible verse that says that there is no sea on the new earth does not contradict the existence of the sea of glass.
Let us try to imagine this sea of crystal. Have you seen a piece of crystal or glass reflecting light? When the beam of light meets the crystal or glass, it reflects in such beautiful light with various colours. This beautiful description brings our attention to a reflection of God’s glory coming from His throne before this sea. It teaches us a spiritual lesson that the victory we won over the beast and his image does not come from us. Our victory is simply a reflection of His glory. Our character is merely a reflection of His throne. That is why the victorious 144,000 will gather around this sea of crystal to return honour and glory to God.
However, have you ever wondered why there is no more sea? Of course, we will still have a beautiful shore. We will still have a sea of glass mingled with fire. But not the sea we have now. Why not? Why will God get rid of the sea? If God does so, and the Bible specifically tells us about it, there should be a reason. The hint to this question is found in the following Bible verses:
“And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints. Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? for Thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before Thee; for Thy judgments are made manifest.” Revelation 15:2–4
In this article, we will discuss “the song of Moses” and “the song of the Lamb” to understand why there is no more sea in the new heaven and the new earth.
The Song of Moses
To understand the song of Moses, we have to return to the time when the Israelites had just reached the Red Sea. “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea. For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.” Exodus 14:2–3
Archeologists discovered the exact location of the Red Sea crossing some years ago, where they could find Egyptian chariots at the bottom of the sea. And the geographical characteristic of this campsite is notable. To reach this location, they must come through a long, narrow valley between two high cliffs. When this path reaches the seashore, the valley widens and becomes a space for the Israelites to camp, while cliffs continue until it reaches the shore. This perfectly matches the description by Sister White, who was inspired by the Spirit and never needed to visit this place: “Walled in right and left by ranges of impassable mountains, while directly in front was the Red Sea.” –The Signs of the Times, March 10, 1881. Therefore, we can see that this place was a closed space, totally shut by the sea at the front, with cliffs on the side, and just one narrow path behind them, through which the Egyptian armies were chasing them.
The same situation happens to us many times in our lives. Sometimes, we meet obstacles that seem impossible to pass. We look to our side, saying there should be some way out. But we can only find a high cliff that shuts us in. We then try to return; but unfortunately, our enemies are right after us. When we meet this situation, we often repeat words that the Israelites cried out: “And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.” Exodus 14:11–12
When we follow Jesus Christ, we face obstacles in our lives. In those times, many people complain. Some even regret leaving their old lives in Egypt behind and following Jesus. They say, “If I were not a Christian, I wouldn’t have needed to face this.” However, Moses encourages us to believe. “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” Exodus 14:13–14
Yes, in human eyes, it is hopeless. There is no way out. We can only see the deadly sea waiting to swallow up our lives. However, God can see a way that is hidden from human eyes. “Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.” Psalm 77:19. We do not need to see this path. All we need to know is that God is with us. He is almighty. He has a way under the sea. And if He is with us, we do not need to fear.
“The great lesson here taught is for all time. Often the Christian life is beset by dangers, and duty seems hard to perform. The imagination pictures impending ruin before and bondage or death behind. Yet the voice of God speaks clearly, ‘Go forward.’ We should obey this command, even though our eyes cannot penetrate the darkness, and we feel the cold waves about our feet. The obstacles that hinder our progress will never disappear before a halting, doubting spirit. Those who defer obedience till every shadow of uncertainty disappears and there remains no risk of failure or defeat, will never obey at all. Unbelief whispers, ‘Let us wait till the obstructions are removed, and we can see our way clearly;’ but faith courageously urges an advance, hoping all things, believing all things.” – Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 290
God fought for the Israelites that day. He divided the sea and opened a way for them. He even swallowed up the Egyptian armies, the strongest in the world at that time, under the sea.
Moses wrote a song praising God’s power to celebrate this great victory. And that is how “the song of Moses” was written. “Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and song, and He is become my salvation: He is my God, and I will prepare Him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is His name. Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath He cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red Sea. The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power: Thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.” Exodus 15:1–6. I strongly recommend you meditate on the whole song written in Exodus 15:1–19. This song is characterized by returning all merit and glory of victory to God without giving any to people. How will this song be the song of the 144,000 in heaven?
Every song is an experience or a testimony. In other words, the experience of Moses at the Red Sea would be ours as well. It is prophesized that the remnant church will face the Red Sea. Spiritual Egyptians (Babylon) will block all our escape routes and come after our lives as we refuse to receive the mark of the beast and worship his image. However, when the Red Sea—the obstacles, death, and danger—blocks our way, let us not forget that God can always divide the sea for us. God will manifest His power and win a victory over the Egyptians. And let us remember that when we reach heaven, there will be no more sea! There will be no more danger, no more obstacles, and no more death for us. There will be only the sea of crystal, the reflection of His glory, where we will give all merits of victory to Him. So, my dear brothers and sisters, we have good news: There shall be no more sea.
The Origin of Sea
As we can see, the sea is the symbol of obstacles, danger, and death. Indeed, the sea did not exist as we know it until sin got involved. Though the sea was created in the beginning, we can easily imagine that it was quite different from the one we know now.
In the beginning, when God created the sea, He moved much water above the firmament. “And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.” Genesis 1:6–7. Also, much water was stored in deep places. All this water burst toward the surface of the earth at the flood. “In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.” Genesis 7:11. Therefore, we can see from these that the sea before the flood did not contain as much water as it does now.
Also, we can see from the description in the Spirit of Prophecy that there were no high mountains before the flood, meaning that there was more soil and rocks in the sea and thus, it was not as deep as post-flood.
“The entire surface of the earth changed at the Flood. A third dreadful curse rested upon it in consequence of sin. As the water began to subside, the hills and mountains were surrounded by a vast, turbid sea. Everywhere were strewn the dead bodies of men and beasts. The Lord would not permit these to remain to decompose and pollute the air, therefore He made of the earth a vast burial ground. A violent wind which was caused to blow for the purpose of drying up the waters, moved them with great force, in some instances even carrying away the tops of the mountains and heaping up trees, rocks, and earth above the bodies of the dead. By the same means the silver and gold, the choice wood and precious stones, which had enriched and adorned the world before the Flood, and which the inhabitants had idolized, were concealed from the sight and search of men, the violent action of the waters piling earth and rocks upon these treasures, and in some cases even forming mountains above them. God saw that the more He enriched and prospered sinful men, the more they would corrupt their ways before Him. The treasures that should have led them to glorify the bountiful Giver had been worshiped, while God had been dishonored and despised.
“The earth presented an appearance of confusion and desolation impossible to describe. The mountains, once so beautiful in their perfect symmetry, had become broken and irregular. Stones, ledges, and ragged rocks were now scattered upon the surface of the earth. In many places hills and mountains had disappeared, leaving no trace where they once stood; and plains had given place to mountain ranges. These changes were more marked in some places than in others. Where once had been earth’s richest treasures of gold, silver, and precious stones, were seen the heaviest marks of the curse. And upon countries that were not inhabited, and those where there had been the least crime, the curse rested more lightly” – Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 107–108
Therefore, the sea existing now was formed at the flood due to enormous sins that required God to destroy the whole earth. The deep dark sea we have now is the result and the reminder of our sins. Indeed, the sea has been dividing humanity. On top of the division of language at the tower of Babel, the differences between cultures, nations, and languages have deepened as they were separated for a long time due to the sea dividing them. This division and differences led to so many sad histories being repeated, including racism, wars, etc. Up to this date, the sea is still dividing families and friends. They can see each other only when they can afford time and money for a trip. Before the airplane was invented, separation was even worse.
“The sea divides friends. It is a barrier between us and those whom we love. Our associations are broken up by the broad, fathomless ocean. In the New Earth there will be no more sea, and there shall pass there ‘no galley with oars.’ In the past many who have loved and served God have been bound by chains to their seats in galleys, compelled to serve the purpose of cruel, hardhearted men. The Lord has looked upon their suffering in sympathy and compassion. Thank God, in the earth made new there will be no fierce torrents, no engulfing ocean, no restless, murmuring waves.” – Maranatha, p. 351
Therefore, God has promised us that there shall be no more sea on the new earth. There will not be a reminder of our sins. There will not be any more separation. There will be only the union between God and us. Only the union among families and friends will be there in the new earth and new heaven.
Song of the Lamb: A Storm at the Sea of Galilee
Now, let us think about the song of the Lamb. The Bible does not talk about any specific song that Jesus wrote on this earth, like Moses. However, as we mentioned earlier, a song is a testimony and an experience. So we can meditate on an experience of Jesus related to the sea.
“ And the same day, when the even was come, He saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took Him even as He was in the ship. And there were also with Him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say unto him, Master, carest Thou not that we perish? And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” Mark 4:35–41
We can learn the same lesson here as the song of Moses. The disciples sailed the sea as Jesus told them to do. They met the strongest storm in their life there. The same thing happens to us. When we follow the guidance and instruction of Jesus, we often meet the storm of our lives. Then we often rely on our own strength, just as the disciples tried to escape the storm, relying on their experiences as fishermen. But we find
ourselves powerless. The disciples even forgot that Jesus was with them—so do we. How often do we forget that there is nothing Jesus cannot do when we face difficult situations?
In times of trouble, let us remember that Jesus is with us. He is waiting for us to come to Him and ask for help. Also, Jesus’ presence is not only the promise to calm that sea but also the promise of our comfort. Jesus was sleeping in the boat—very uncomfortably. When the boat was tossed to the right, His body was tossed too. When the water came in, He got soaked too. It would have been such an uncomfortable sleep. Maybe He could have levitated Himself in the air and slept more comfortably. But He went through the storm just as His disciples did, except the fact that He did not fear as He trusted His father. The fact that Jesus was on the same boat as the disciples is His promise of compassion and empathy. When we suffer, He will suffer with us. When we cry, He cries with us. When we rejoice, He rejoices with us.
Let us think about when Jesus was on the cross. It is written that the Father was with Jesus, suffering together, even though Jesus could not feel His presence.
“In that thick darkness God’s presence was hidden. He makes darkness His pavilion, and conceals His glory from human eyes. God and His holy angels were beside the cross. The Father was with His Son. Yet His presence was not revealed. Had His glory flashed forth from the cloud, every human beholder would have been destroyed. And in that dreadful hour Christ was not to be comforted with the Father’s presence. He trod the wine press alone, and of the people there was none with Him.
“But God suffered with His Son. Angels beheld the Saviour’s agony. They saw their Lord enclosed by legions of satanic forces, His nature weighed down with a shuddering, mysterious dread. There was silence in heaven. No harp was touched. Could mortals have viewed the amazement of the angelic host as in silent grief they watched the Father separating His beams of light, love, and glory from His beloved Son, they would better understand how offensive in His sight is sin.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 753, 693
God knows the beginning from the end (Isaiah 46:10). He knows the future and knew that Jesus would win the victory. He knew His beloved Son would be resurrected and come back to Him. Still, just because God knew the future does not mean He was not compassionate for what Jesus felt in the moment. And so also, since He knows the future, He knows what we go through and the same compassion and empathy is promised to us. When the boat tosses to the left, He will be tossed to the left with us. When the wave breaks into the boat, and we get wet, Jesus will get soaked with us. Jesus knows how it feels to face the tempest. And though He knows that He prepared the future of a calm sea for us, He still comforts us by understanding what we are going through now.
The Song of the Lamb: The Third Angel’s Message
However, this is not the end of the song of the Lamb: “There is another spiritual lesson in this miracle of the stilling of the tempest. Every man’s experience testifies to the truth of the words of Scripture, ‘The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest…. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.’ Isaiah 57:20–21. Sin has destroyed our peace. While self is unsubdued, we can find no rest. The masterful passions of the heart no human power can control. We are as helpless here as were the disciples to quiet the raging storm. But He who spoke peace to the billows of Galilee has spoken the word of peace for every soul. However fierce the tempest, those who turn to Jesus with the cry, ‘Lord, save us,’ will find deliverance. His grace, that reconciles the soul to God, quiets the strife of human passion, and in His love the heart is at rest. ‘He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so He bringeth them unto their desired haven.’ Psalm 107:29, 30. ‘Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ ‘The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.’ Romans 5:1; Isaiah 32:17.” – The Desire of Ages, p. 336
The tempest does not come only from outside. Our fight is not only about external trials and persecution. Babylon does not approach us only by the threat of death. Babylon will try to take us down with spiritual temptation. The tempest arises in our hearts as well. It is called our sinful nature. Our sins destroy the peace in our hearts. And often, we try to calm it down with our own strength. But again, we are totally powerless. We can never defeat the storm with our work. Only when we come to Jesus and ask for help by faith we will overcome the tempest.
This is also the same lesson we can find in the song of Moses. When the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, they left the Egyptians behind and started a new journey. We are called to repent and be separated from our sins and sinful life, just as the first and second angel is calling us: “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” Revelation 14:6–8
Indeed, this would be the last battle between Babylon and the remnant people. In other words, this would be the last sea and tempest we would face as the remnant church. Satan’s argument in the Great Controversy always has been, “It is impossible for humans to be perfect.” And the true fight behind the test on the Sabbath and Sunday law is, “Can humans really keep the law of God and thus be perfect?” We are powerless in this matter. If we try to overcome our sinful nature and be like the Father in our own strength (Matthew 5:48), we will fail just as the disciples started sinking into the sea. Only by faith in Jesus’ power, can we be perfect and thus have peace.
This is the Third Angel’s message: the centre of the present truth. “And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:9–12
The Third Angel presents the last battle between Babylon and the faithful remnant. Babylon will cause a big storm and try to make us commit sin. She will preach the doctrine of salvation by works so that we will try to fight the storm with our own strength. However, the third angel is telling us to have “the faith of Jesus.” How did Jesus calm the sea? How was Jesus so peaceful amid the storm? It was not because He was the Son of God. As reflected in the words of the disciples (Mark 4:41), Jesus was as peaceful and powerful as the son of man. His secret was His faith and trust in His Father. Jesus never used His divine power against temptation so that He could be our perfect example. “And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of Man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” Mark 4:41 (Hebrews 4:15)
By faith, Jesus was at peace with God. By faith, Jesus overcame the sea. By faith, Jesus fought against temptation. By faith, Jesus calmed the sea. By faith, Jesus remined perfect as the Father. “When Jesus was awakened to meet the storm, He was in perfect peace. There was no trace of fear in word or look, for no fear was in His heart. But He rested not in the possession of almighty power. It was not as the ‘Master of earth and sea and sky’ that He reposed in quiet. That power He had laid down, and He says, ‘I can of Mine own self do nothing.’ John 5:30. He trusted in the Father’s might. It was in faith—faith in God’s love and care—that Jesus rested, and the power of that word which stilled the storm was the power of God.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 336
This is the faith of Jesus. And this is the testimony of Jesus Christ (Revelation 12:17). The Third Angel calls us to have the same faith so that we can overcome the tempest, “keep the commandments of God” and thus be perfect. Yes, the fight will not be an easy one. The storm is powerful. But let us never forget, Jesus is with us.
This is why people who accept the Third Angel’s message will sing the song of the Lamb beside the sea of crystal. We will have the testimony of Jesus—in other words, the experience or the song of Jesus. But we have no merit for the victory. It was God who gave us the power. So we will stand by the sea of the reflection of His glory and share our experiences, giving the honour to God.
New Song
My dear brothers and sisters, my dear readers, we will face the sea on this earth. We will face the Red Sea. We will face the storm of Galilee. We will be chased by Babylon. We will be tossed by the tempest. We will be tested both externally and internally. It will not be an easy experience. But, let us remember. Our Emmanuel—God with us—will make us stand on the rock. He will lead our way. And He will give us a new song, experience, and testimony that only the 144,000 will know.
“I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:1–3
My dear friends, we have good news. There shall be no more sea. There shall be no more suffering, no more curse, no more sins, no more night, no more death, no more separation, and no more tears. Instead, we will stand at the beautiful river and on the sea of crystal, which reflects the power and glory of our God who saves us from all the seas in our lives.
“And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 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: And they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. And He said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to shew unto His servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” Revelation 22:1–7
May God strengthen you and bless you until we shall meet again at the shore of this beautiful river, Amen.
Makoto Matsumoto