December 8, 2014
IT IS DONE.
Revelation 21:1-8
Barbara Caughran
Central Truth
From what God has taught me, He does not want me living for this world. I must set my mind and heart on heaven. This is so temporal here on earth. He just simply wants me to rest in Him.
Key Verse | Revelation 21:5–6
And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment." (Revelation 21:5-6)
Revelation 21:1-8
The New Heaven and the 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 the sea was no more. 2 And I 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 the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place 1 21:3 Or tabernacle of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, 2 21:3 Some manuscripts peoples and God himself will be with them as their God. 3 21:3 Some manuscripts omit as their God 4 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.”
5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
Dive Deeper | Revelation 21:1-8
John sees a new heaven and earth; the old is no more. Jerusalem, a new holy city, comes down from heaven. God will now dwell among His people. God has removed evil from humanity, separating out the good for Himself. There will be total transformation.
God brings peace and a future to those in Him. God is among us. He is our Lord, Protector, and King. He will remove evil; for those who are in Him, "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." (Revelation 21:4) This will be the ultimate fulfillment of Matthew 11:28: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
This causes me to trust in Christ for all things and in all situations. Jesus has been teaching me a valuable lesson this year -- that I didn't trust HIM, that He didn't want me to do anything, say anything, or help Him with anything. He wants me to trust in Him -- in all ways. You get the picture. What He wanted from me was total submission to Him. To be quiet; to just spend time with Him, relying only on God to dwell inside of me. He was letting me know that, while I'm here on earth, He is transforming me into His image, preparing me for my eternal home. He's showing me how important it is to abide in Him, not with Him. There's a difference.
Those in Christ are His for all time; there is no fear or dread when we are with our Lord King. The goal in my walk with Christ is to be apart from sin and not to allow myself to be swayed from my faith and life in Christ. What amazing hope to not be of this world, but to have such joy for our home to come.
Discussion Questions
1. What does this passage mean to you?
2. How are you encouraged or strengthened?
3. Is there sin in your life for which confession and repentance is needed?
4. How can you be changed so you can learn and grow?