RJ,
   Your question about the statement in Revelation 21 that there will be no more sea is an interesting one. For those who take everything in Revelation literally, this would be rather frightening. In fact, if we were to take this verse absolutely literally, we have more problems than just a lack of seas — we would also have the earth that we live on going into oblivion and a new earth being created, but, heaven forbid, we would also have the heaven going into oblivion and the creation of a new heaven. And if this is true, then King Solomon lied when he said “The earth abideth forever” (Ecclesiastes 1:4), and the Apostle Paul lied when he said “World without end” (Ephesians 3:21). So let’s back-track and take a closer look. Let’s start with the very first verse of Revelation. “The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John.”  This word “signified” used in this verse means to reveal by signs. We seem to lose the meaning of the word by the way in which we pronounce it. So let’s pronounce it sign-i-fied, and we get the idea. Jesus was revealing future events to John by the use of signs.
   Seas are often used in the Bible to represent the restless masses of the people who are like the tempest in the ocean, unstable and unorganized. This condition of mankind will cease to exist when Christ’s Kingdom is fully set up and its laws are put into motion throughout the earth. Mankind will no longer be as the raging sea, but they will be stable, peaceful, and abiding under a righteous government. In fact, the people will be learning the beauty of righteousness. Isaiah said “When the judgments of the Lord are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” This means that they won’t just be outwardly obeying the laws of that Kingdom, but they will be practicing righteousness from the heart.
   So what about the new earth and the new heaven that Jesus told John would exist at the same time when there is no more sea? These too are “signs” and not to be taken literally. They speak of the earthly and heavenly rulership of earth. The old earth and old heavens have been the ruling factor in the whole history of man. And look at what a mess they made of it. Today the whole system is on the brink of collapse, due to man’s greed, his selfishness, and his lust for power. And the responsibility for this is not just laid in the lap of man — there are spiritual powers under the direction of Satan who are the real “rulers” behind these beast-like governments of earth, as well as behind the many many false religions and power/money-greedy church systems.  That old system of rulership will perish as the new laws of the Kingdom of Christ will be enforced throughout the world. Yes, the old heavens and the old earth will indeed pass away, and in its place will be established divine government that will rule in righteousness.
   Isaiah had a clear insight into the workings of that new heaven and new earth, and he put it into beautiful poetic language when he described it to us. “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.” (Isaiah 32:16-17) This peaceful scene does not include a restless turbulent sea, but calm, quiet, peaceful water, reflecting the light of the heavens above. Mankind will dwell in peace — “there will be no more sea.”

Bonnie Gaunt