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[[Revelation 21|The twenty-first chapter]] of the [[Book of Revelation]] introduces the final state of perfection where, according to one commentator, "cosmic time has been turned into eternity."<ref>[[Simon J. Kistemaker]], ''Exposition of the Book of Revelation'' (New Testament Commentary; Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 2001), 554.</ref> In symbolic and visual language, God allows John to see the glory and beauty of the inheritance of His people. The first thing the reader notices about this vision is that it includes a "new heavens and a new earth" ([[Revelation 21:1|21:1]]). To understand what the Bible teaches about eternity, the reader of the Apocalypse must understand the New Testament doctrine of the "[[New Heaven and New Earth|New Heavens and the New Earth]]."<ref>[[Jack Cottrell]], ''The Faith Once for All: Bible Doctrine for Today'' (Joplin, Mo.: College Press Pub., 2002), 564–572; David Martyn Lloyd-Jones, The Church and the Last Things (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 1998), 246–248; G. C. Berkouwer, The Return of Christ (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1972), 210-234.</ref>
[[Revelation 21|The twenty-first chapter]] of the [[Book of Revelation]] introduces the final state of perfection where, according to one commentator, "cosmic time has been turned into eternity."<ref>[[Simon J. Kistemaker]], ''Exposition of the Book of Revelation'' (New Testament Commentary; Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 2001), 554.</ref> In symbolic and visual language, God allows John to see the glory and beauty of the inheritance of His people. The first thing the reader notices about this vision is that it includes a "new heavens and a new earth" ([[Revelation 21:1|21:1]]). To understand what the Bible teaches about eternity, the reader of the Apocalypse must understand the New Testament doctrine of the "[[New Heaven and New Earth|New Heavens and the New Earth]]."<ref>[[Jack Cottrell]], ''The Faith Once for All: Bible Doctrine for Today'' (Joplin, Mo.: College Press Pub., 2002), 564–572; David Martyn Lloyd-Jones, The Church and the Last Things (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 1998), 246–248; G. C. Berkouwer, The Return of Christ (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1972), 210-234.</ref>


The basic difference with [[Mosaic covenant|the promises of the]] [[Old Testament]] is that in Revelation they also have an [[ontology|ontological]] value ({{bibleref2|Rev.|21:1;4|NIV}}: "Then I saw 'a new heaven and a new earth,' for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea...'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away") and no longer just [[gnosiology|gnosiological]] ({{bibleref2|Isaiah|65:17|NIV}}: "See, I will create/new heavens and a new earth./The former things will not be remembered,/nor will they come to mind").<ref>{{cite book |editor1=Joel B. Green |editor-link=Joel B. Green |editor2=Jacqueline Lapsley |editor3=Rebekah Miles |editor4=Allen Verhey |title=Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8fxBvvFu2l8C |year=2011 |publisher=[[Baker Publishing Group|Baker Books]] |location=[[Ada Township, Michigan]] |isbn=978-1-44123998-3 |page=[https://books.google.com/?id=8fxBvvFu2l8C&pg=PA190&dq=%22promise+of+a+renewal+of+all+creation,+a+hope+present+in+OT+prophetic+literature+(Isa.+65:17%22%22but+portrayed+most+strikingly+through+Revelation's+vision%22%22divine+king+of+creation+promises+to+renew+all+of+reality%22 190] |quote=This goodness theme is advanced most definitively through the promise of a renewal of all creation, a hope present in OT prophetic literature ({{bibleverse|Isaiah|65:17–25|KJV}}) but portrayed most strikingly through Revelation's vision of a "new heaven and a new earth" (Revelation 21:1). There the divine king of creation promises to renew all of reality: "See, I am making all things new" ([[Revelation 21:5]]).}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |editor1=Steve Moyise |editor2=Maarten J.J. Menken |title=Isaiah in the New Testament. The New Testament and the Scriptures of Israel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_MqRBQAAQBAJ |year=2005 |publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing]] |location=London |isbn=0-56761166-3 |page=[https://books.google.com/?id=_MqRBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA201&dq=%22Isa.+65:17%22%22John+emphasizes+the+qualitatively+new+state+of+affairs+that+will+exist+at+God's+new+creative+act.+In+addition+to+the+passing+of+the+former+heaven+and+earth,+John+also+asserts+that+the+sea+was+no+more+in+21:1c%22 201] |quote=By alluding to the new Creation prophecy of Isaiah John emphasizes the qualitatively new state of affairs that will exist at God's new creative act. In addition to the passing of the former heaven and earth, John also asserts that the sea was no more in 21:1c.}}</ref>
The basic difference with [[Mosaic covenant|the promises of the]] [[Old Testament]] is that in Revelation they also have an [[ontology|ontological]] value ({{bibleref2|Rev.|21:1;4|NIV}}: "Then I saw 'a new heaven and a new earth,' for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea...'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away") and no longer just [[gnosiology|gnosiological]] ({{bibleref2|Isaiah|65:17|NIV}}: "See, I will create/new heavens and a new earth./The former things will not be remembered,/nor will they come to mind").<ref>{{cite book |editor1=Joel B. Green |editor-link=Joel B. Green |editor2=Jacqueline Lapsley |editor3=Rebekah Miles |editor4=Allen Verhey |title=Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8fxBvvFu2l8C |year=2011 |publisher=[[Baker Publishing Group|Baker Books]] |location=[[Ada Township, Michigan]] |isbn=978-1-44123998-3 |page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=8fxBvvFu2l8C&dq=%22promise+of+a+renewal+of+all+creation,+a+hope+present+in+OT+prophetic+literature+(Isa.+65:17%22%22but+portrayed+most+strikingly+through+Revelation's+vision%22%22divine+king+of+creation+promises+to+renew+all+of+reality%22&pg=PA190 190] |quote=This goodness theme is advanced most definitively through the promise of a renewal of all creation, a hope present in OT prophetic literature ({{bibleverse|Isaiah|65:17–25|KJV}}) but portrayed most strikingly through Revelation's vision of a "new heaven and a new earth" (Revelation 21:1). There the divine king of creation promises to renew all of reality: "See, I am making all things new" ([[Revelation 21:5]]).}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |editor1=Steve Moyise |editor2=Maarten J.J. Menken |title=Isaiah in the New Testament. The New Testament and the Scriptures of Israel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_MqRBQAAQBAJ |year=2005 |publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing]] |location=London |isbn=0-56761166-3 |page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=_MqRBQAAQBAJ&dq=%22Isa.+65:17%22%22John+emphasizes+the+qualitatively+new+state+of+affairs+that+will+exist+at+God's+new+creative+act.+In+addition+to+the+passing+of+the+former+heaven+and+earth,+John+also+asserts+that+the+sea+was+no+more+in+21:1c%22&pg=PA201 201] |quote=By alluding to the new Creation prophecy of Isaiah John emphasizes the qualitatively new state of affairs that will exist at God's new creative act. In addition to the passing of the former heaven and earth, John also asserts that the sea was no more in 21:1c.}}</ref>


{{blockquote|But, in accordance with [[New covenant|his promise]], we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home ({{bibleref2|2 Peter|3:13|NRSV}}).}}
{{blockquote|But, in accordance with [[New covenant|his promise]], we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home ({{bibleref2|2 Peter|3:13|NRSV}}).}}
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That ''kainos'' should not be taken as something totally new can be seen in a passage like the following:
That ''kainos'' should not be taken as something totally new can be seen in a passage like the following:
{{blockquote|If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! (2 Corinthians 5:17)}}
{{blockquote|Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV)}}


Here the [[Apostle Paul]] uses ''kainos'' in the expression "new creation." Paul did not intend to convey the idea that this is a completely different individual. There is continuity between the old person and the new person to such an extent that it remains the same person, but renovated. The person is the same, but the quality of that person has been transformed.
Here the [[Apostle Paul]] uses ''kainos'' in the expression "new creation." Paul did not intend to convey the idea that this is a completely different individual. There is continuity between the old person and the new person to such an extent that it remains the same person, but renovated. The person is the same, but the quality of that person has been transformed.
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In the same way, the biblical concept of the New Earth is one of renovation and restoration. Either on this current earth or on a rebuilt new planet. This conclusion is supported by Peter's words in his public speech in the temple at Jerusalem.
In the same way, the biblical concept of the New Earth is one of renovation and restoration. Either on this current earth or on a rebuilt new planet. This conclusion is supported by Peter's words in his public speech in the temple at Jerusalem.


{{blockquote|Repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that he may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of the restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.<ref>{{bibleverse|Acts|3:19-21|KJV}}</ref>}}
{{blockquote|19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.


20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
This earth, however, will be either cleansed or destroyed by fire for the purpose of restoration as expressed in the following passage:

{{blockquote|But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? (2 Peter 3:10-12)}}
21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.<ref>{{bibleverse|Acts|3:19-21|KJV}}</ref>}}

This earth, however, will be either cleansed or destroyed by a very hot temperature of heat or a great fire, for the purpose of restoration as expressed in the following passage:
{{blockquote|10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? (2 Peter 3:10-12 KJV)}}

===Catholicism===

====Official teaching====
The [[Roman Catholic Church]] links New Earth with [[New Creation (theology)]], seeing them both signified in Baptism.<ref>[https://www.vatican.va/content/catechism/en/part_two/section_two/chapter_one/article_1/vii_the_grace_of_baptism.html Catechism of the Catholic Church 1265]</ref> Baptismal grace - in particular, the [[fruit of the Holy Spirit]] - is a foretaste of [[eternal life]] in [[Paradise]],<ref>[https://www.vatican.va/content/catechism/en/part_three/section_one/chapter_one/article_7/iii_the_gifts_and_fruits_of_the_holy_spirit.html Catechism of the Catholic Church 1832]</ref> which in turn is a foretaste of deified life in the New Earth on [[Judgment Day]].<ref>[http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a12.htm#1048 Catechism of the Catholic Church 1048]</ref>

On Judgment Day, Heaven will unite with the Universe via the [[Second Coming]], whereby the whole Universe and all angels and saints will be deified, just as Jesus' humanity was deified via his resurrection.<ref>[https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/catechism/index.cfm?recnum=3272 Catechism of the Catholic Church 1042]</ref> The Universe is unconditionally predestined for [[deification]],<ref>[http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1047.htm Catechism of the Catholic Church 1047]</ref> while angels' and persons' respective predestinations are both conditioned on moral behavior.<ref>[https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P1C.HTM Catechism of the Catholic Church 392]</ref>

Despite being resurrected unto immortality along with the saints, the damned - along with [[Satan]] and the rest of the demons - will forever be prisoners in [[hell]].<ref>[https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2O.HTM Catechism of the Catholic Church 1037]</ref> By rejecting God, they reject eternal deified life with God in the New Earth.<ref>[https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P1C.HTM Catechism of the Catholic Church 393]</ref>

The deified Universe, and all creatures therein, is collectively called the "New Jerusalem" or "Heavenly Jerusalem" because it is the definitive house and reign of God.<ref>[http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1027.htm Catechism of the Catholic Church 1027]</ref>

====Unofficial teaching====
Saint [[Thomas Aquinas]] argues that the new heavens and the new earth will include [[material]] components as well as a [[spirituality | spiritual]] ones.<ref>
{{cite book
|last1 = Brown
|first1 = Christopher M.
|date = 22 August 2021
|chapter = The Accidental Reward V: Nonhuman Material Beings in Heaven
|title = Eternal Life and Human Happiness in Heaven: Philosophical Problems, Thomistic Solutions
|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=x9dDEAAAQBAJ
|publication-place = Washington, D.C.
|publisher = The Catholic University of America Press
|page = 347
|isbn = 9780813234144
|access-date = 22 November 2024
|quote = [...] St. Thomas thinks that the fundamental material bodies that he calls ''elements'', for example, instances of earth, fire, and water, will exists in the new heavens and the new earth, and this for two reasons.
}}
</ref>
But in ''[[Summa Contra Gentiles]]'', he teaches that the New Earth will lack everything unnecessary: eating and [[defecation]], food and cooking, animals and plants, etc.<ref>[https://isidore.co/aquinas/ContraGentiles4.htm#97 ''Summa Contra Gentiles'' Q97 "The State of the World After the Judgment"]
</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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* [http://www.lamblion.com/articles/articles_revelation19.php Lamb & Lion: The New Earth]
* [http://www.lamblion.com/articles/articles_revelation19.php Lamb & Lion: The New Earth]
* [http://bible.cc/revelation/21-1.htm Parallel Translations of Rev 21:1]
* [http://bible.cc/revelation/21-1.htm Parallel Translations of Rev 21:1]
* [http://www2.luthersem.edu/ctrf/JCTR/Vol11/Middleton_vol11.pdf A New Heaven and a New Earth: The Case for a Holistic Reading of the Biblical Story of Redemption]
* [http://www2.luthersem.edu/ctrf/JCTR/Vol11/Middleton_vol11.pdf A New Heaven and a New Earth: The Case for a Holistic Reading of the Biblical Story of Redemption] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206030952/http://www.luthersem.edu/ctrf/JCTR/Vol11/Middleton_vol11.pdf |date=2009-02-06 }}
* [http://tourofheaven.com/eternal/new-earth.aspx Tour of Heaven: New Earth]
* [http://tourofheaven.com/eternal/new-earth.aspx Tour of Heaven: New Earth]
* [https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1159-what-are-the-new-heavens-and-new-earth What are The New Heavens and New Earth]
* [https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1159-what-are-the-new-heavens-and-new-earth What are The New Heavens and New Earth]

{{Global catastrophic risks}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


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[[Category:Book of Revelation|New Earth]]
[[Category:Book of Revelation|New Earth]]
[[Category:Christian terminology|New Earth]]
[[Category:Christian terminology|New Earth]]
[[Category:Earth]]
[[Category:Biblical cosmology]]
[[Category:Biblical cosmology]]
[[Category:Nicene Creed]]
[[Category:Book of Isaiah]]
[[Category:Book of Isaiah]]
[[Category:Second Epistle of Peter]]
[[Category:Second Epistle of Peter]]

Latest revision as of 03:48, 22 November 2024

Revelation 21:1: A new heaven and new earth, Mortier's Bible, Phillip Medhurst Collection

The New Earth is an expression used in the Book of Isaiah (65:17 & 66:22), 2 Peter (3:13), and the Book of Revelation (21:1) in the Bible to describe the final state of redeemed humanity. It is one of the central doctrines of Christian eschatology and is referred to in the Nicene Creed as the world to come.

Biblical references

[edit]

The twenty-first chapter of the Book of Revelation introduces the final state of perfection where, according to one commentator, "cosmic time has been turned into eternity."[1] In symbolic and visual language, God allows John to see the glory and beauty of the inheritance of His people. The first thing the reader notices about this vision is that it includes a "new heavens and a new earth" (21:1). To understand what the Bible teaches about eternity, the reader of the Apocalypse must understand the New Testament doctrine of the "New Heavens and the New Earth."[2]

The basic difference with the promises of the Old Testament is that in Revelation they also have an ontological value (Rev. 21:1;4: "Then I saw 'a new heaven and a new earth,' for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea...'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away") and no longer just gnosiological (Isaiah 65:17: "See, I will create/new heavens and a new earth./The former things will not be remembered,/nor will they come to mind").[3][4]

But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home (2 Peter 3:13).

Interpretation

[edit]

In Koine Greek, there were two words that are translated as "new" in the English Bible; neos and kainos. One Greek resource states:

As distinct from néos, "new in time," kainós means "new in nature" (with an implication of "better"). Both words suggest "unfamiliar," "unexpected," "wonderful," and the distinction fades with time.[5]

That kainos should not be taken as something totally new can be seen in a passage like the following:

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV)

Here the Apostle Paul uses kainos in the expression "new creation." Paul did not intend to convey the idea that this is a completely different individual. There is continuity between the old person and the new person to such an extent that it remains the same person, but renovated. The person is the same, but the quality of that person has been transformed.

In the same way, the biblical concept of the New Earth is one of renovation and restoration. Either on this current earth or on a rebuilt new planet. This conclusion is supported by Peter's words in his public speech in the temple at Jerusalem.

19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.[6]

This earth, however, will be either cleansed or destroyed by a very hot temperature of heat or a great fire, for the purpose of restoration as expressed in the following passage:

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? (2 Peter 3:10-12 KJV)

Catholicism

[edit]

Official teaching

[edit]

The Roman Catholic Church links New Earth with New Creation (theology), seeing them both signified in Baptism.[7] Baptismal grace - in particular, the fruit of the Holy Spirit - is a foretaste of eternal life in Paradise,[8] which in turn is a foretaste of deified life in the New Earth on Judgment Day.[9]

On Judgment Day, Heaven will unite with the Universe via the Second Coming, whereby the whole Universe and all angels and saints will be deified, just as Jesus' humanity was deified via his resurrection.[10] The Universe is unconditionally predestined for deification,[11] while angels' and persons' respective predestinations are both conditioned on moral behavior.[12]

Despite being resurrected unto immortality along with the saints, the damned - along with Satan and the rest of the demons - will forever be prisoners in hell.[13] By rejecting God, they reject eternal deified life with God in the New Earth.[14]

The deified Universe, and all creatures therein, is collectively called the "New Jerusalem" or "Heavenly Jerusalem" because it is the definitive house and reign of God.[15]

Unofficial teaching

[edit]

Saint Thomas Aquinas argues that the new heavens and the new earth will include material components as well as a spiritual ones.[16] But in Summa Contra Gentiles, he teaches that the New Earth will lack everything unnecessary: eating and defecation, food and cooking, animals and plants, etc.[17]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Book of Revelation (New Testament Commentary; Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 2001), 554.
  2. ^ Jack Cottrell, The Faith Once for All: Bible Doctrine for Today (Joplin, Mo.: College Press Pub., 2002), 564–572; David Martyn Lloyd-Jones, The Church and the Last Things (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 1998), 246–248; G. C. Berkouwer, The Return of Christ (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1972), 210-234.
  3. ^ Joel B. Green; Jacqueline Lapsley; Rebekah Miles; Allen Verhey, eds. (2011). Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics. Ada Township, Michigan: Baker Books. p. 190. ISBN 978-1-44123998-3. This goodness theme is advanced most definitively through the promise of a renewal of all creation, a hope present in OT prophetic literature (Isaiah 65:17–25) but portrayed most strikingly through Revelation's vision of a "new heaven and a new earth" (Revelation 21:1). There the divine king of creation promises to renew all of reality: "See, I am making all things new" (Revelation 21:5).
  4. ^ Steve Moyise; Maarten J.J. Menken, eds. (2005). Isaiah in the New Testament. The New Testament and the Scriptures of Israel. London: Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 201. ISBN 0-56761166-3. By alluding to the new Creation prophecy of Isaiah John emphasizes the qualitatively new state of affairs that will exist at God's new creative act. In addition to the passing of the former heaven and earth, John also asserts that the sea was no more in 21:1c.
  5. ^ G. Kittel, G. Friedrich, G. W. Bromiley (1995, c1985). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Translation of: Theologisches Wörterbuch zum Neuen Testament (Grand Rapids, Mich.: W. B. Eerdmans), 388.
  6. ^ Acts 3:19–21
  7. ^ Catechism of the Catholic Church 1265
  8. ^ Catechism of the Catholic Church 1832
  9. ^ Catechism of the Catholic Church 1048
  10. ^ Catechism of the Catholic Church 1042
  11. ^ Catechism of the Catholic Church 1047
  12. ^ Catechism of the Catholic Church 392
  13. ^ Catechism of the Catholic Church 1037
  14. ^ Catechism of the Catholic Church 393
  15. ^ Catechism of the Catholic Church 1027
  16. ^ Brown, Christopher M. (22 August 2021). "The Accidental Reward V: Nonhuman Material Beings in Heaven". Eternal Life and Human Happiness in Heaven: Philosophical Problems, Thomistic Solutions. Washington, D.C.: The Catholic University of America Press. p. 347. ISBN 9780813234144. Retrieved 22 November 2024. [...] St. Thomas thinks that the fundamental material bodies that he calls elements, for example, instances of earth, fire, and water, will exists in the new heavens and the new earth, and this for two reasons.
  17. ^ Summa Contra Gentiles Q97 "The State of the World After the Judgment"
[edit]