ALL THINGS NEW
Revelation 21:1-5 NKJ
1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
5 Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."
There are going to be some interesting things going on with the earth as we know it. Evidently, there will be a new heaven and a new earth. This is congruent with 2 Peter 3:10-13. Peter describes the heavens passing away with a great noise. And the earth and works will be burned up. Talk about global warming! But Peter sums up these dramatic events by saying that we look for new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells. So, it's all going to turn out well. Although Revelation says there is no more sea, and I love the beach.
But I say that in jest. When God makes a new heaven and new earth where there is no longer the curse and no more Satan and darkness, I will not be missing the beach. And the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will be with us, and considering how awesome He is, we will not be conscious of any kind of lack.
Verse four is a wonderful promise of God. He will wipe away every tear from our eyes. I trust that when God wipes away our tears, they are gone for good. And there will be no more death. No more fear of death and being separated from loved ones. No more funerals. Oh, happy day. But wait, there's more—no more sorrow or crying. We have lived with a given that sorrow and crying are part of this life, but on that day, sorrow will be no more. No more crying over traumatic situations because trauma will be no more. This is going to be good. And there will be no more pain. We can all appreciate that. All of these, death, sorrow, crying, and pain, are the former things that will have passed away.
Then, God will declare that He makes all things new. Our ability to grasp what "all things new" means is somewhat limited. But we know that we are living in a pain-free world where righteousness, not sin, is dominating the environment. God is dwelling among His people who live on a new earth surrounded by new heavens. This is going to be great.
There are definitely some scary parts of the Book of Revelation. I know I do not want to be around when the wrath of God is poured out. But I know that because I have put my trust in Jesus as my Lord and Saviour, I will be there when all these marvelous things take place. I have seen the old; I am looking forward to the new.
PRAYER
Father, thank You for the promises of new heavens and a new earth. Thank You that on that day, there will be no more crying, sighing, and sorrow. Thank You that the promise of eternity looks far better than anything I have seen so far, as You make all things new!