Devotional - John Davis
Rev 21:1-4 – Eternal hope for those in Christ
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[a] 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.”
This passage speaks of a future hope, eternal and perfect life, no more pain, suffering, mourning or tears. There is a genuine and permanent resolution to all our pain and suffering as I meditate on this passage. God promises to restore this perfect life that existed prior to the Fall. This restoration will be complete and perfect. A restoration that, I believe, all would desire and embrace. However, this future hope is reserved for only those in Christ, whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life as the verse just before this passage alludes to (Rev. 20: 15).
I focus on the last verse in this passage, Rev. 21:4. This September has been hard for me. My second son was born on Sep 2 but last year died on Sep. 25. However, the Lord is faithful and carries me through these difficult times. Although I still mourn this loss, I know that some glorious day the Lord will wipe away these tears and mourning from me. I will forever be at peace with the Lord and with His saints. For now, the Lord is carrying me though this difficult time. I draw strength and comfort from Him.
There are many who still have no hope, are fearful of dying without any hope or assurance. COVID-19 virus has amplified this fear. The solution is simple and is available for all. John 3:16-18 provides the simple solution. Just believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and we will have eternal life. Our names will be written in the Lamb’s book of Life and we will be with the Lord in the New Heaven and New Earth forever. It is simply a choice we need to make. We do not need to change our lifestyle first then God will accept us. No, we simply chose to believe and follow the Lord Jesus and God will begin to change us into His image.