Tag: New heaven and New earth
All things made new
Scripture reading for December 30th: Revelation 21
Key Scriptures: Revelation 21:1-5 “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 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.” 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.”
John next viewed a great transformation of the heavens and the earth. The old passed away and a new heaven appeared and the earth appeared without a sea to divide it. The holy city, the new Jerusalem, came down from heaven and rested on the new earth and heaven and earth were joined together as never before. God was now dwelling in the midst of His people and they experienced His great mercy, provision and renewal in every aspect of their lives. This was a vision of the future that John saw as a gift of God’s grace to write down for all who would read and heed and believe and receive! Beware! Some will be left out because of their failure to repent and choose Jesus Christ.
Revelation 21:6-7 “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. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be My son.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, thank You for these great Words of truth that inspire me with a vision of the future of Your people and their inheritance. I look forward to living in the new heaven and new earth and seeing Your will fully done on earth as in heaven. I long for Your coming and the completion of Your great plan of salvation. Give me opportunity to share this plan with those outside of Your grace that none may perish!
Revelation 21:8 “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.”
The overcomer’s inheritance!
Scripture reading for December 30th: Revelation 21:1-27
After the punishment of the wicked in the lake of fire, John watched the passing away of the first heaven and earth and a new heaven and earth appeared! What an experience that must have been! The view from heaven of this drama unfolding must have amazed and frightened John.
“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully adorned 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.” God’s desire has always been to dwell in the midst of His people. Sin brought separation of man from God, but God’s Son overcame and holds the key of death and Hades! (Revelation 1:18)
Now John sees a new heaven and earth and a Holy City, the new Jerusalem. This place will be the dwelling place of man with God Himself as all he needs. Death, sin, crying, and pain will be gone forever! God will wipe away all tears and fill each one with eternal joy in His presence! “You have made know to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.” (Psalm 16:11)
“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. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolater, and all liars–their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”” (Revelation 21:6-8) There are two possible outcomes for any man. Those who overcome Satan and his lies will inherit the new Jerusalem and new heaven and earth. Those who don’t believe will get the lake of fire!
The Bride’s Eternal Home!
Scripture reading for December 31st: Revelation 20-22
During the last supper, Jesus encouraged His disciples about coming events. He told them that He was going away and preparing a place for them so that where He was they could be with Him. He promised to come back for them to take them to this place. (John 14:1-3) He prayed in John 17: 24, “Father, I want those you have given Me to be with Me where I am, and to see My glory, the glory You have given Me before the creation of the world.” These were the words of the Heavenly Bridegroom speaking to His bride!
What Jesus starts, He finishes! He is the way, truth and life! In Revelation 20-22 we find John’s description of the crushing of the serpent’s head and of the place Jesus has prepared for us to spend eternity with Him. Man started in a garden, walking with God. He will end in a heavenly city prepared by God just for him! The serpent that deceived man will be crushed for ever. “And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10)
Men and women who have refused salvation by faith will stand before a great white throne of judgment and receive justice for their evil deeds of breaking God’s laws of love. No one will escape or be able to bargain for a lighter sentence. “Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:14-15) This is not God’s will for any man, but comes from his refusal to repent.
“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 voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. The will be His people and God Himself will be with them and be their God.” (Revelation 21:3) The new Jerusalem is a cube just like the Holy of Holies in the temple or tabernacle. God dwelt there among His people. Now His bride the Church will dwell in the new Jerusalem and He will be their light and life and all will see His face! Jesus is coming soon! (Revelation 22:7, 12, 20) Are you ready!