Revelation 21:1-4
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, because the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. And the sea no longer existed. And I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And from the throne I heard a loud voice that said, “Look! God’s dwelling is with people. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them, and he will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain, because the former things have passed away.”
Applying God’s Word for today: In the new heaven and earth, God dwells with his people
As we look at these words, the imagery John gives us paints a picture of the events at the end of this world as we now know it and of how everything will be new. We can get wrapped around the axle over the new heaven and earth, trying to decipher what this imagery means. But let’s not lose sight of what is important: God dwells with His people, believers!
In our heavenly, permanent home, it will be unrecognizable compared to this world. The new heaven and earth will be perfect and beautiful. The church is pictured as a bride who has prepared herself for that wedding. The Groom Himself has prepared the church for this wedding. He has given us the jewels of baptism, in which we have been washed in His blood to receive the forgiveness of sins and to have faith instilled in us by the Holy Spirit. The gift of faith enables you to receive the gifts from your Groom, Jesus, our Savior. He gives us His body and blood in His Holy Supper, for the assurance of His forgiveness and to strengthen our faith. Moreover, as the new Jerusalem, we are adorned in His perfection. The former things, our suffering and sin, are gone; there is no more pain from our guilt, no more physical pain from our bodies going awry, nor will we have any sadness from sin being let down or from losing those close to us. Sin will be gone, and all this is for each person by faith in Jesus, who suffered death for our salvation.
Dear Lord, let us focus on the salvation that is ours by faith in Jesus, our Savior. Grant us peace and help us bear the weight of our crosses as we sojourn in this wilderness of life until that marvelous day when we will dwell with You in heaven. Let our eyes be fixed on our Lord and Savior, who reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.
The pain and suffering of this world are only temporary; heaven is permanent for all who believe and trust in him. In heaven, what we know now, including the aches and pains, the guilt and shame, and the sin and temptation, will be gone as we live with God eternally.