He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, anymore. The first things have passed away. Revelation 21:4 WEB
The revelation John received on the island of Patmos concerns events that are yet to come. As mature Christians we understand that our lives are subject to good times and bad. We encounter our fair share of trials and tribulations in addition to the blessings and comforts of the Lord. We have pain and tears, death and mourning but we look past these things to the promise of our eternal reward in heaven.
Chapter twenty-one of Revelation begins with a vision of a new heaven and a new earth. John sees the Holy City, the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven like a bride prepared for her wedding. The vision promises a new world ruled by Chris that is free from pain, sorrow, and death.
Pain, death, tears, and sorrow are inevitable in our current lives. Christ makes it clear that following him not only comes with these natural discomforts, but also that Christians sometimes suffer additional problems because of our faith. Jesus says to his disciples in Matthew 24:9, ‘Then they will deliver you up to oppression, and will kill you. You will be hated by all of the nations for my name’s sake. WEB” However, in the New Jerusalem, Jesus will wipe away every tear from our eyes.
Jesus Overcame The World
Christ says in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world. WEB” Jesus was explaining the difficulties that his followers would encounter after he was taken away to be crucified. The Lord encourages his followers to endure the difficulties of this world knowing that we receive an eternal reward for standing firm in faith.
Chapter twenty in Revelation describes the final defeat of sin and wickedness. Chapter twenty-one gives a glimpse of what the new reality will be like after God’s justice is served on the agents of evil. The righteous are reconciled to God in Christ. Sin is covered by the blood of Christ or judged in those who reject him. Evil is cast into the fire and all suffering that results from sin is over.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for making a way for my sins to be forgiven. Thank you for my salvation in Jesus Christ. I look forward to the day when he will wipe away every tear. Give me strength to endure the trials of this life on the way to the eternal reward of heaven secured by the sacrifice of Christ. In Jesus name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Humility
