Daily Bread 2011 - Revelation 21
A New Heaven and a New Earth
1 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. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘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.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.
What Does This Mean?
After all the negative calamity and judgment of the preceding chapters, we are now given the hope of the restoration of all things through the new heaven and earth that comes down from heaven. Notice too there is no longer any sea. Water is also a motif for judgment in the bible, and now there is no longer any judgment.
We also see the physical reality of heaven as the Holy City, called the “New Jerusalem”, which comes down out of heaven prepared for her husband. And in this new reality God has a different relationship with His Bride, the Church. While we worship God now by faith because He is out of sight, then God himself will be with us and will be our God. In the new order and new Creation there are no more tears, crying, or pain. Everything is made new, truly new. The passage ends signaling this is the final scene in God’s salvation history, and shows that God is the author and perfecter of all things. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.
What Does This Mean For Us?
This is the hope we have as believers that despite our current struggles and pains, that one day all sickness, pain and mourning will be wiped away, and we will be in God’s presence forever. If anyone has had a glimpse of God’s presence or felt the power of the Holy Spirit in this life, one can only imagine what it will be on that day.
Though we will all have an end to our mortal lives, there is a bigger, grander story that is being played out. For those whose names are written in the book of life, for those who have trusted in the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, this is what we have to look forward to. For all who suffer in this life it gives you hope that your suffering will not last forever, but one day you will be out of pain and you will enjoy life and God as they were meant to be enjoyed.
If for some reason you do not know if your name is written in the book of life, or do not have confidence in this, believe in the Good News and trust in Jesus as Your Savior. Jesus has already done everything you need to be made right in God’s eyes, believe in the truth that sets you free both in this life and the life to come.
Jesus, we thank you for the precious gift you gave us by coming to earth and dying for our sins. As we look forward to that day when all tears and mourning will pass away and a new heaven and earth will be ours as we will dwell with you and the Father forever. We are encouraged by this great hope we have in Christ to persevere despite our light and momentary afflictions. Amen.
1 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. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘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.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.
What Does This Mean?
After all the negative calamity and judgment of the preceding chapters, we are now given the hope of the restoration of all things through the new heaven and earth that comes down from heaven. Notice too there is no longer any sea. Water is also a motif for judgment in the bible, and now there is no longer any judgment.
We also see the physical reality of heaven as the Holy City, called the “New Jerusalem”, which comes down out of heaven prepared for her husband. And in this new reality God has a different relationship with His Bride, the Church. While we worship God now by faith because He is out of sight, then God himself will be with us and will be our God. In the new order and new Creation there are no more tears, crying, or pain. Everything is made new, truly new. The passage ends signaling this is the final scene in God’s salvation history, and shows that God is the author and perfecter of all things. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.
What Does This Mean For Us?
This is the hope we have as believers that despite our current struggles and pains, that one day all sickness, pain and mourning will be wiped away, and we will be in God’s presence forever. If anyone has had a glimpse of God’s presence or felt the power of the Holy Spirit in this life, one can only imagine what it will be on that day.
Though we will all have an end to our mortal lives, there is a bigger, grander story that is being played out. For those whose names are written in the book of life, for those who have trusted in the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, this is what we have to look forward to. For all who suffer in this life it gives you hope that your suffering will not last forever, but one day you will be out of pain and you will enjoy life and God as they were meant to be enjoyed.
If for some reason you do not know if your name is written in the book of life, or do not have confidence in this, believe in the Good News and trust in Jesus as Your Savior. Jesus has already done everything you need to be made right in God’s eyes, believe in the truth that sets you free both in this life and the life to come.
Jesus, we thank you for the precious gift you gave us by coming to earth and dying for our sins. As we look forward to that day when all tears and mourning will pass away and a new heaven and earth will be ours as we will dwell with you and the Father forever. We are encouraged by this great hope we have in Christ to persevere despite our light and momentary afflictions. Amen.
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