“God will make heaven and earth new!”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today –April 11, 2023
Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this. Revelation 4:1
Revelation. When you hear the name of this popular New Testament book, perhaps dread or fear enters your heart. Maybe the first word that comes to mind is “Tribulation” or “Judgment.” But have you considered that Revelation holds out blessed hope—and even joy—to believers?
Today I’d like to share 3 reasons to rejoice about what’s in the apostle John’s Book of Revelation.
First, the Lord is still on the throne. Over the last three years, I have been shocked by the increasing state of sin and degradation in our world. I would have never believed that I would live during such a time. I have grieved for humanity and sometimes feared the future. But there is hope!
In Revelation 4:1-2 John says:
After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.
A throne in heaven with someone sitting on it! That Someone is the Lord! The One who is the Great I Am. The Sovereign Lord! The Creator of All That Is! No matter what happens on the earth, no matter how dark things become, Christ is still on the throne! He is sovereign and all things are working out to His desired, good end. In the same way God took the horror of the cross and turned it into a blessed redemption, all powers, rulers, authorities, and principalities are under His control even now.
Next, all things will be made new! When Adam and Eve sinned, humanity was cut off from the full life and perfection of heaven. This is obvious as we look around at our world: lawlessness, sexual sin, deception, natural disasters, selfishness, murder, pandemics, and greed are increasing.
But as the final days of earth close in and the Tribulation nears, we can rejoice in the blessed truth that God will make heaven and earth new! We will live in paradise with Christ—and the perfection of a sinless creation will be restored.
In Revelation 21:1-5, John recorded the words of the Lord:
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. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 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. 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.”
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.”
That deserves a “Praise God!”
Finally, God wants to give every person the opportunity to come to Him. One morning, I listened to the Book of Revelation and was struck by something—and it wasn’t the terror of the seven-year Tribulation. Instead, it was how many opportunities the Lord will give those who are still on the earth the opportunity to repent and come to Him. With each wrathful event that is poured out in discipline, the Lord is saying, “You can still come to Me. My arms are open. Give me your heart.” During the Tribulation, all of humanity will be called to repentance and to worship Him. This is God’s glorious mercy to give everyone an opportunity to be saved—and this is the blessed hope for believers who have unsaved loved ones.
When the days seem dark, remember that these things must take place according to Scripture, that the Lord is in control and on the throne, that He loves those you love and wants them to come to Him, and all things will be made new!
“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband” (Revelation 21:2).
Prayer
Lord, how I praise you that you are the sovereign Lord over all. All things are working for your desired, good end. Nothing can stop your full redemption of humanity, heaven, and the earth. How I praise you for the glory that is yet to come. I can’t wait to see your face and live with you forever in paradise! Thank you, Jesus! Amen!
Application
Pray for your loved ones today that they will come to Christ.
Related Reading
Revelation 20:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Hebrews 11:10
Worship Resource
Hillsong Worship: God He Reigns
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