Your question, What did God mean when he said he will create a new heaven and earth? Let’s just see what the scriptures reveal about your question. Let’s see what Peter wrote. 2 Peter 3:10 “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. Now where did Peter get his information from? The next thing we read is in Revelation. Revelation 20:11 “And 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.” Then we see. Revelation 21:1 “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” Then we see Christ saying. John 14:2 “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. Knowing these things let God be true as it is written. Romans 3:4 “let God be true, but every man a liar;”