Will the whole universe be destroyed before the new heavens and earth, not just the earth?
Yes. The teaching indicates that after the millennial reign, there will be a total destruction of the whole universe, not just the planet. Then God will create a whole new creation—new heavens and a new earth—that will remain for all eternity.
Les explains that after the millennial reign, the total destruction will not be limited to the planet Earth; he says he thinks of “this whole universe, not just the planet.” Even though “this is all going to be destroyed,” God promises to create new heavens and a new earth for all eternity. He connects Isaiah’s statement about the new heavens and new earth to Revelation 21 and 22, noting that Isaiah refers to the same event. Following that destruction comes a whole new creation. Israel’s seed and name will remain before the Lord, and Israel will still have a unique position even in the eternal state.