You asked

does the new testament present a similar vision of universal peace and justice, or does it focus elsewhere?

Adds the setting and its conversation across both testaments.

Revelation 21:3-4

“I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, God’s tabernacle is with people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away.””

This passage is from the Book of Revelation, a vision given to John while exiled on the island of Patmos. It's a symbolic prophecy describing the culmination of God's redemptive work, envisioning a new heaven and a new earth where God's presence is fully restored among humanity, bringing an end to suffering and evil.

What does a vision of future peace and justice ask of our present actions, especially when facing deep-seated problems?

Then — the setting

Revelation was written around the end of the first century CE, during a period of Roman imperial dominance and occasional persecution of early Christians. John, the author, was exiled for his faith (Revelation 1:9). The book uses highly symbolic language, drawing heavily on Old Testament prophetic traditions (especially Ezekiel and Daniel) to offer hope and reassurance to communities facing tribulation. Its vision of a new creation and a new Jerusalem provided a powerful counter-narrative to the oppressive realities of the Roman Empire, envisioning a future where God's justice and peace would ultimately prevail over all earthly powers and suffering.

Across the Testaments

The Old Testament is rich with visions of universal peace and justice, often tied to a messianic king or a new covenant, where God's rule extends over all nations and creation itself is restored (e.g., Isaiah 2:2-4, 11:6-9; Micah 4:1-4; Zechariah 8:20-23). While these visions frequently maintain a strong Israelite particularity, they also expand to include Gentiles and cosmic renewal. The New Testament, particularly in Revelation, echoes and amplifies these themes, presenting a definitive and ultimate fulfillment in a 'new heaven and new earth.' It explicitly connects the universal peace and justice to the presence of God dwelling directly with all 'peoples' (implying all humanity, not just Israel), fulfilling and expanding the prophetic hopes of the Old Testament within a distinctly Christian eschatological framework.

Keep thinking

Read alongside it

Isaiah 11:6-9
Describes a future messianic kingdom where natural enemies live in peace, and the earth is full of the knowledge of God.
Micah 4:3-4
Envisions a time when nations will beat swords into plowshares, learn war no more, and live securely under their own vine and fig tree.
Romans 8:19-23
Speaks of creation groaning in anticipation of liberation from corruption, connecting human redemption with cosmic restoration.

Ask your own follow-up