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Q&A: Does the Book of Revelation Hint at a Multiverse?

From Jeremiah in Vancouver, Washington

Hello Reasons staff,

Revelation 21:1 says, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away” (NIV). Do you think that this could be hinting at the possibility of a multiverse?

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Great question, Jeremiah! I think the “new heaven and new earth” shows that the present universe is not the only physical realm contained in God’s plan. Revelation 20–21 and other biblical descriptions of the forthcoming creation imply a new physical realm with some new physics not at work in the current universe.

For example, New Jerusalem is described as a cube measuring 12,000 stadia (about 1,400 miles) on each side. Such a structure cannot exist in the present universe because gravity would force something that size into a sphere. Thus, it appears that the new creation must exhibit some different form of gravity.

I find it entirely plausible in reading the Bible (partially based on the passage you mention) that God might have created a multiverse. However, just because God will create a universe, different from the present one, for redeemed humanity to inhabit forever does not mean that he did create a multiverse that contains the current cosmos.

From an apologetics perspective, research into the multiverse seems to reinforce the necessity for both a Beginner and a Designer.

For more information on the multiverse, visit our Multiverse web page.