Revelation 21:1-5 (ESV)
The New Heaven and the New Earth
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Have you ever given thought to what your life will be like once your time on earth is complete? I do not spend a great deal of time imagining it myself, but I do know this. John’s description of what is to come in the book of Revelation is breathtaking. So breathtaking, in fact, that he often struggles to find words adequate enough to describe the glory of eternity.
I am sure I am not alone in finding the book of Revelation challenging to interpret at times. Yet one thing is clear. Revelation is a book about the glorious and victorious Jesus Christ, who will defeat Satan once and for all and who will ultimately make all things new.
As we begin a new year, perhaps you are longing for something new in your own life. Maybe you are already reflecting on the changes that need to be made in order to recenter your heart on the Lord. Let me encourage you with this. Place your trust in the Lord, who is in the business of newness.
This Sunday, we will explore the promise of an everlasting covenant. A covenant that will endure for all eternity. A covenant in which God Himself will dwell with His people in the new creation. My prayer is that as you step into this new year, your greatest desire would be to draw nearer to the One who is making all things new.
In Christ,
Pastor Blake
The New Heaven and the New Earth
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Have you ever given thought to what your life will be like once your time on earth is complete? I do not spend a great deal of time imagining it myself, but I do know this. John’s description of what is to come in the book of Revelation is breathtaking. So breathtaking, in fact, that he often struggles to find words adequate enough to describe the glory of eternity.
I am sure I am not alone in finding the book of Revelation challenging to interpret at times. Yet one thing is clear. Revelation is a book about the glorious and victorious Jesus Christ, who will defeat Satan once and for all and who will ultimately make all things new.
As we begin a new year, perhaps you are longing for something new in your own life. Maybe you are already reflecting on the changes that need to be made in order to recenter your heart on the Lord. Let me encourage you with this. Place your trust in the Lord, who is in the business of newness.
This Sunday, we will explore the promise of an everlasting covenant. A covenant that will endure for all eternity. A covenant in which God Himself will dwell with His people in the new creation. My prayer is that as you step into this new year, your greatest desire would be to draw nearer to the One who is making all things new.
In Christ,
Pastor Blake
No Comments