R. Huna says in the name of R. Eliezer the son of J. Jose the Galilean: He created the new heavens and the new earth ahead of time. Thus it is stated (in Is. 66:22): FOR AS THE NEW HEAVENS AND THE NEW EARTH WHICH I MAKE REMAIN BEFORE ME. David said to the Holy One: Sovereign of the World, I offer you praise for the wonders which you have done in the world. It is so stated (in Ps. 104:1): BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL. O LORD, MY GOD, YOU ARE VERY GREAT. YOU HAVE PUT ON HONOR AND MAJESTY. How do the great ones of the world expound this verse? R. Eleazar and R. Joshua: You were great before you created, but you became very great after you created your world. YOU HAVE PUT ON HONOR AND MAJESTY.
The New Heavens Already Existed Before the Old Ones
Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Bereshit 9:1