This is a reference to the apostle John (Revelation 1:4, Revelation 1:9). During his imprisonment on Patmos Island the Lord showed him many things that were to take place in John’s future (Revelation 1:1; Revelation 4:1), visions John was to write down and send to the seven churches (Revelation 1:11) for their edification—details that were to occur in the church’s present (that is, throughout the new dispensation). This includes the vision described in the present paragraph. As it is, the present vision has the church look into her future to foresee what the Lord has planned after the present earth and heaven have passed away.
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.