There is a difficulty, to my own mind, at least, as one inquiring into prophetic subjects, upon this, viz., as to the time of the change taking place.
I might state my difficulty thus:-In Rev. 20:1111And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. (Revelation 20:11), it is written, " And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and he heaven fled away, and there was found no place for them." This, apparently, is after the loosing of Satan, and, therefore, after the close of the Millennium. Perhaps, corroborative of this, is chapter 21:1, in which the naming of the new heaven and new earth (in which there is no more sea-which, if it is to be taken literally, points to something post-Millennial-for there is sea in the Millennial earth) immediately precedes the description of the descent of the tabernacle of God to be with men. But (as most are agreed) 21:9 onward, shows the New Jerusalem to be in the heavenlies during the thousand years.
Now (query) is the change of the heavens not synchronous with that of the earth; or is the New Jerusalem let down into the present heavenlies; Satan and his powers being chased first; out of them (Rev. 12) and then out of the earth (19 and 20).
The character of the Millennium as on earth, has, I confess, changed much its aspect to me; I used to consider it to be the Adamic possession of the earth, fulfilled in the second Adam. Now; it seems to me, rather, the Noachic possession made good in Christ. That is, it is the sword, or power of government, wielded by Christ through this earth in God's name,-a king reigning in righteousness. It is a dispensation put into the Son of Man's hand, a deposit entrusted to Him, in which many a contrast will be taught between men and Himself, as entrusted by God. Satan removed, the world subjected, the earth filled with blessing. He will yet allow man to show out his difference from Himself. And, perhaps; man never shows out more strongly what man is, than in the winding up of the Millennium.
If the change of the heavens is post-Millennial, my difficulty ceases; but then I have a new phase of the Millennium as to its heavenly glory to that which I have had; namely, it is the glory of God let down into the heavens which are. As the entire separateness of the city is marked,-it is a walled city-it may be so. The bearing of this upon "God's testimony of grace" important.
I should be really thankful for help on this subject from any one taught thereon. I only state my difficulty as one inquiring into matters which are all settled of God and are revealed for our learning; but as to which it better to be an inquirer than, hastily, or wrongly, to decide without the full support of the word of the Lord.