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, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live 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." Revelation 21:1-4
Footnote: The earth as we know it will not last forever, but after God's great judgment, he will create a new earth. God had also promised Isaiah that he would create a new and eternal earth. The sea in John's time was viewed as dangerous and changeable. It was also the source of the beast. We don't know how the new earth will look or where it will be, but God and his followers -- those whose names are written in the book of life -- will be united to live there forever. Will you be there?
Have you ever wondered what eternity will be like? The "Holy City, the new Jerusalem" is described as the place where God will "wipe every tear from their eyes." Forevermore, there will be no death, pain, sorrow, or crying. What a wonderful truth! No matter what you are going through, it's not the last word -- God has written the final chapter, and it is about true fulfillment and eternal joy for those who love him. We do not know as much as we would like, but it is enough to know that eternity with God will be more wonderful than we could ever imagine.
He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this and I will be his God and he will be my son. Revelation 21:6,7
Footnote: People who overcome "Stand firm to the end" (Mark 13:13). They will receive the blessings that God promised:
1. eating from the tree of life (2:7),
2. escaping from the lake of fire (the "second death," 2:11),
3. receiving a special name (2:17),
4. having authority over the nations (2:26),
5. being included in the book of life (3:5),
6. being a pillar in God's spiritual temple (3:12), and
7. sitting with Christ on his throne (3:21).
Those who can endure the testing of evil and remain faithful will be rewarded by God.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen. Revelation 22:21
Footnote: Revelation closes human history as Genesis opened it -- in paradise. But there is one distinct difference in Revelation -- evil is gone forever. Genesis describes Adam and Eve walking and talking with God; Revelation describes people worshiping God face to face. Genesis describes a garden with an evil serpent; Revelation describes a perfect city with no evil. The Garden of Eden was destroyed by sin; but paradise is re-created in the new Jerusalem.
The book of Revelation ends with an urgent request: "Come, Lord Jesus." In a world of problems, persecution, evil, and immorality, Christ calls us to endure in our faith. Our efforts to better our world are important, but their results cannot compare with the transformation that Jesus will bring about when he returns. H alone controls human history, forgives sin , and will re-create the earth and bring lasting peace.
Revelation is, above all, a book of hope. It shows that no matter what happens on earth, God is in control. It promises that evil will not last forever. And it depicts the wonderful reward that is waiting for all those who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
Congratulations!!!!!
This completes THIS Bible Challenge! 365 days of reading God's Word! You did it! You made a commitment, you persevered, you ran the race, you crossed the finish line! Praise God, for we know that we do nothing in our own strength and that it is only God's grace that has allowed us to complete this challenge. We are the true winners here.....we will never be able to measure the fruit in our lives from spending time in the scriptures. God's word NEVER returns void!
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Never stop reading God's Word!
Never stop reading God's Word!
All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV
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