Podcast Summary: Thru the Bible — Revelation 20:14—21:2

Host: Jason Collins (with the teaching of Dr. J. Vernon McGee)
Episode Date: March 26, 2026

Episode Theme & Purpose

This episode completes the journey through Revelation 20 and begins Revelation 21. Dr. J. Vernon McGee leads listeners through a sobering look at the "second death"—the eternal separation from God for those not found in the Book of Life—and then shifts to the glorious prophetic vision of the new heaven, new earth, and New Jerusalem for God’s redeemed. The episode aims to balance biblical warning with hope, offering deep comfort to believers in Christ while underscoring the seriousness of eternal destiny.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Second Death and Lake of Fire

(Starts ~05:33)

• Text Focus: Revelation 20:14-15—Death and Hades are cast into the lake of fire.
  • Dr. McGee clarifies terms: The word translated "hell" in the King James Bible actually refers to "Hades" (the place of the unseen dead), not the final place of punishment.
  • Paradise (the comfort of the righteous dead before Christ) is no longer in Hades; Christ took those saints to heaven at His ascension (Eph 4, explained at 06:24).
  • Only those whose names are not found in the Book of Life are cast into the lake of fire; all at the Great White Throne judgment are unsaved.
  • This "second death" is not just literal fire but, more importantly, "eternal separation from God."
  • Quote:
    “The second death means eternal and absolute separation from God.” — Dr. J. Vernon McGee (07:37)

2. Transition to Glory — New Heaven, Earth, and Jerusalem

(Begins ~09:27)

• The study shifts to Revelation 21—heralding ultimate hope.
• Eternity Unveiled: Eternity now opens up to view, as John becomes a witness to the coming new creation.
• A new world order is coming: a new heaven, new earth, and the New Jerusalem.

3. Radical Changes in the New Creation

(10:45–13:55)

• Dr. McGee lists six radical differences between the current creation and what’s to come:
  1. Total absence of sin and temptation.
  2. The New Jerusalem will be the center, not Earth. All creation will revolve around it.
  3. The Law of Gravity Revised: Those in the Church—dwelling in the New Jerusalem—can travel freely, unbound by earthly physics.
  4. No Need for the Sun: “God Himself will supply it [light] directly to the universe… There is no night there, because we just won’t need that time to rest because we’ve got new bodies.”
  5. No More Sea: The earth’s geography and climate will be completely transformed—more land, new conditions; humanity’s diet returns to something like Eden (vegetarian).
  6. Visible Presence of God and Christ: God’s throne is physically with humanity.
  • Quote:
    “Fruit is the only diet of the eternal man.” — Dr. J. Vernon McGee (13:24)

4. The New Jerusalem — A Place Prepared for the Redeemed

(15:55–21:50)

• John repeatedly says, “I saw,” emphasizing his role as witness to the final, eternal state.
• Scripture assures that the old creation will “pass away” (Matt. 24:35, Isa. 65:17, 2 Peter 3:7–13).
• Direct fulfillment of promises to Abraham, David, and Daniel about a kingdom and land that will last forever.
• Notable Explanation:
  The “holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven… as a bride adorned for her husband.”
  - This city is not to be confused with the current, earthly Jerusalem. - McGee shares a touching analogy: brides on their wedding day, radiant and transformed, just as the New Jerusalem will be for Christ’s people.
  • Quote:
    “I have never seen an ugly bride. They're always lovely at the wedding…God gives to them at that time a radiance and a beauty. And...I think the reason He does it is because the New Jerusalem…is like a bride adorned for her husband.” — Dr. J. Vernon McGee (20:46)
  • Christ has been preparing this home (“a place for you,” John 14) for the church since His ascension.
  • God’s people are “pilgrims and strangers down here. Now we got a permanent home over there.” (22:47)

5. Encouragement for Believers

(24:17–25:28)

• Host Jason Collins (and later Steve Schwetz) encourages listeners:
  “If you know the Lord Jesus, be encouraged that you’re not home yet. The Lord is preparing that place for us as He promised in John 14.”
• Listeners are told to hold on to hope, knowing that their eternal home is yet to come.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is dead.” — Dr. J. Vernon McGee, quoting 1 Cor 15:26 (07:03)
• “If man will not accept the life of God, he must accept the only other alternative…God never created man to be put in this place, but there’s no other place for him.” (08:41)
• “Heaven is a place, a very definite place. You’ll have an address there. A name is going to be put on you when you wander around through eternity into outer space, because you might get lost. Some angels have to bring you home and you’ll have a home.” (10:08)
• “Eternity is unveiled here in chapter 21… We’ve moved not only from time to eternity, but to a new creation, a new heaven, a new earth, a new Jerusalem greet us. And the redeemed have previously received glorified bodies like Christ. All things have become new.” (09:35)
• “When you talk about going to heaven, what do you think about?...It’s a city called the New Jerusalem. It’s a planet within itself.” (18:45)

Key Timestamps

• [05:33] — McGee’s teaching begins on Revelation 20:14–15; explanation of Hades, hell, and final judgment.
• [07:10] — “The second death means eternal and absolute separation from God.”
• [09:27] — Transition to Revelation 21 and the hope of the new creation.
• [10:45–13:55] — Six big changes in the new creation.
• [15:55] — What Scripture says about heaven and earth passing away.
• [18:45–21:50] — New Jerusalem described as a prepared bride; analogy of wedding days.
• [24:17] — Encouragement from host and summary of future hope.

Listener Engagement & Community

• Stories from truckers and regular “Bible Bus” riders highlight the deep impact of Thru the Bible on everyday lives.
  • Listener Blair: “He brings humanity to the people that was there. The people we read about…sometimes we read about them thinking that they were so much better than we would. Oh, he opens it up and says, no, they were just following God and I love to hear that. And they make mistakes. I love to hear that…it just makes me feel like I'm least trying.” (02:28)

Conclusion

This episode brings listeners to the threshold of eternity’s hope—a future without death, sin, darkness, or sorrow, but filled with God’s presence and the eternal home Christ is preparing. Dr. McGee’s teaching is both clear-eyed about the sobering reality of judgment and joyous about the future that awaits Christ’s followers. Listeners are encouraged to remain faithful, looking forward to the “blessed hope” of life with God forever.

For deeper study, stay on the Bible Bus as it starts over in Genesis after Revelation, ensuring no part of God’s Word is missed.