Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Renewal for the New Heaven and the New Earth
 Revelation 21:1-15
Jesslette Anil

St. Thomas MTC, Lombard, IL

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.
 
The key to this passage is the word "new." It translates the Greek word "kainos", meaning brand new in quality. Here John is speaking of a renewed or restored earth, as fresh and wholesome as the Garden of Eden. The quality of it is completely different from that of the present.  The world, that God originally created, suffered the catastrophe of sin and all of its consequences. So John envisions that God will renew this world where sin will not dominate. The scriptures reveal that in Christ we become a new creation. This renewal comes out of God’s love for the world.
 
Now, in this final scene from John’s revelation, God will dwell with humanity for all eternity. It is a beautiful picture of the eternal life into which we are called as believers, an eternal award being given only to God’s children. The New Jerusalem mentioned in Rev 21:2, is a city of immense size and beauty, a place where God will dwell with His people forever. We will dwell forever with God in that holy city, which radiates the very being of God: His purity, His light, His grace, His protection, and His love. It’s going to be a place of unimagined blessing and the ultimate fulfilment of all God’s promises. 

 In the new heaven and the new earth, we will have the comfort from present life’s sorrows and pains. God Himself will wipe away all our tears. Also there will be no more death, no more mourning, and no more crying, for all that causes sadness will have passed away. We have the assurance that the sufferings of this present world are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. We are looking forward to this promise, guaranteed by God, that we will receive the eternal blessings, rewards and the rest for being faithful to Christ even through grief, pain, suffering, and death. Peter, the apostle of Jesus, says in 2 Peter 3:13 that we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. Finally, and most wonderful of all, as we dwell in the new heaven and new earth, we will dwell in the brightest light -the light of God’s glory- and the triune God will be our lamp and we shall rejoice in His radiance forever.

PRAYER

Gracious Lord, we know that time is short and that You will come soon to establish Your Kingdom on this earth. Guide us in Your truth and prepare our hearts to receive You and meet You. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
  Meet the uncertainties of this present world with the certainties of the coming new world promised by our Lord Jesus Christ.


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