“When is the sun replaced by the light of God’s glory on the new earth?”

“And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did light it, and the Lamb is the light thereof” (Rev. 21:23).

The sun isn’t going anywhere. Revelation 21:23 does not mean that there will be no more sun or moon in the new heaven and new earth, as is commonly taught. Like earth (Psa. 104:5), the sun and the moon will endure forever: “Praise ye Him, sun and moon: praise Him, all ye stars of light…He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: He hath made a decree which shall not pass” (Psa.148:3,6).

Further, a careful reading of Revelation 21:23 shows that it only pertains to the light within the new Jerusalem: “And the city has no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it….” Revelation 22:5 adds that, in the city, “there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light.”

The Apostle John is simply pointing out that the light of the sun and the light of the moon are not needed to illumine that great city because the glory of God is its brightness and light forever (Isa. 60:19). In the new Jerusalem, the glory of God shines brightly for all to see clearly and will outshine the natural lights of the sun and moon, but the sun and the moon will continue to server their purposes as ordained by God to provide their light to the rest of the new earth.

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