Jesus, early in his Sermon on the Mount discourse, made an incredibly revealing prophetic statement the ramifications of which are truly mind blowing! In a single verse, he informs us not only about the fate of our vast universe, but also about when all things (all God's plans and promises) will be fulfilled. His statement also discloses when God's law will "pass away" or no longer be needed!
For truly I say to you, until the heaven and the earth shall pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no way pass from the Law until everything has been fulfilled (Matthew 5:18, HBFV throughout).
The one key event that must occur before everything is fulfilled is the destruction (recreation) of the universe!
Recap
As stated in the previous end time timeline, one of God's goal is to cleanse all that exists from sin and its destructive effects. Toward this objective, up to this point in prophetic history, he has offered salvation to all humans. Those who chose to repent and obey him received the gift of eternal life. Those who refused repentance and willfully rejected him, however, were put out of existence through the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11 - 15).
Additionally, Satan the devil and all other demons who had sealed themselves to do evil were also exterminated in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10). All this means that the only beings in existence, at this point of prophetic history, will be those sealed righteous and incapable of sinning.
Temporary Universe
The Bible reveals that all that exists (e.g. the heavens and the earth) is only temporary. God, when they have fulfilled their purpose, will simply replace them as easily as a person changes their clothes.
Of old You (God) have laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They shall perish, but You shall endure; yea, all of them shall become old like a garment; like a vesture You shall change them, and they shall be changed (Psalm 102:25 - 26, see also Isaiah 51:6).
Looking forward to and striving for the coming of the day of God, during which the heavens, being on fire, shall be destroyed, and the elements, burning with intense heat, shall melt . . . (2Peter 3:12).
Created Anew
God will either destroy all that exists and re-create everything or cleanse them with fire and renew them. In both cases, the result is that everything will be new!
For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth. And the former things will not be remembered, nor come to mind (Isaiah 65:17, see also 66:22 and 2Peter 3:13).
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away . . . And I, John, saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven . . . (Revelation 21:1 - 2).
A new and perfect heaven, earth and a brand new Jerusalem are needed in preparation for all those given eternal life to reign forever (Revelation 21:7, 22:5).
Prophecy Fulfillment
God, after all things are made new, will live among those he created (Revelation 21:2, 5, 22:4). All those difficult experiences so familiar to humans, such as crying, death, sorrow and pain, will be gone and never return (21:4). Jesus then makes an incredibly important but often overlooked statement.
IT IS DONE. I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End . . . (Revelation 21:6).
Revelation 21:6 is the last Biblical declaration proclaiming something has completed or been accomplished. At this point in history, all prophecy has been fulfilled and all of the Lord's promises have been fully kept. God's great plan of salvation has now been successfully completed!
Everything is Completed
Revelation 21 also marks another important milestone. God's law was meant to act like a tutor who would help instruct us in holiness and godly living (Galatians 3:24). It was written down, studied, explained to others and so on all with the goal to imbed it into our character (Jeremiah 31:33, 32:40, Romans 8:1, Hebrews 8:10 - 11).
Jesus statement in Revelation 21:6 signals the perfect prophetic fulfillment of his words in Matthew 5:18. We have finally arrived at the time when there will no longer be the need for even the smallest "jot or tittle" of God's laws. Why is this the case? It is because people will have the law and its spiritual intent written on their hearts and part of the fabric of their character!
And they (all those given salvation) shall see His face; and His name (His character) is in their foreheads (Revelation 22:4).
It is at this point in history that ALL THINGS, all prophecy, have been fulfilled! Eternity now waits for the sons and daughters of God to decide what will happen next.