Revelation 21:1-4 - 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.'

Revelation 21:1-4 presents a breathtaking vision of the future that God has prepared for those who love Him. In this passage, John sees a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away. The holy city, the new Jerusalem, descends from heaven, adorned as a bride ready for her husband. This city represents the dwelling place of God among His people. A loud voice from the throne declares that God Himself will dwell with them, and they will be His people. In this glorious future, God will personally wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death, mourning, crying, and pain will be no more, for the former things have passed away. This incredible promise speaks of a new reality, where the sin, brokenness and suffering that have marred our current world will be gone forever. The new heaven, new earth and new Jerusalem symbolize the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The beauty of the city, prepared as a bride, points to the intimate relationship between God and His people. The absence of the sea, which represented chaos and separation, shows that nothing will divide God from His children. His presence will permeate every aspect of this new creation. This vision of the future is meant to fill believers with hope, knowing that our present sufferings are temporary in light of eternity. It is a reminder that God is making all things new. One day, we will experience life as God intended, in perfect fellowship with Him, free from the consequences of sin. The promise of a new heaven and earth encourages us to persevere in faith, fixing our eyes on the unseen glory yet to come.

The promise of a new heaven, new earth and new Jerusalem in Revelation 21:1-4 is a powerful reminder of the hope that we have as believers in Jesus Christ. In the midst of the trials, pain and brokenness of this world, it can be easy to lose sight of the incredible future that awaits us. Yet this passage calls us to lift our eyes above our present circumstances and fix them on the eternal glory that God has prepared. One of the most striking aspects of this new creation is the complete absence of sin and its consequences. In this life, we are all too familiar with the reality of death, mourning, crying and pain. These things are the result of living in a fallen world, marred by sin and rebellion against God. Yet in the new heaven and earth, these former things will have passed away forever. Can you imagine a world without death, without sorrow, without suffering? This is the future that God has promised to those who put their faith in Christ. Another beautiful aspect of this vision is the intimacy that we will enjoy with God. The loud voice from the throne declares that the dwelling place of God will be with man. He will live with us, and we will be His people. In this life, we can experience the presence of God, but there is always a sense of distance due to our sin. But in the new creation, we will know perfect fellowship with our Creator. We will see Him face to face, and He will wipe away every tear from our eyes. As we reflect on this promise, it should fill us with hope and purpose. No matter what challenges or difficulties we face in this life, we know that they are temporary. Our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18). This hope should also motivate us to live for Christ, knowing that our labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). At the same time, this passage should also challenge us to examine our priorities. Are we living for the things of this world that are passing away, or are we investing in the eternal kingdom of God? Are we clinging to the fleeting pleasures of sin, or are we pursuing holiness and righteousness? The promise of a new heaven and earth reminds us that this world is not our ultimate home. We are citizens of a heavenly city, whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:10). As we navigate the challenges and trials of this life, may we keep our eyes fixed on the glory yet to be revealed. May the promise of a new heaven, new earth and new Jerusalem fill us with hope, purpose and perseverance. And may we live each day in light of eternity, knowing that the best is yet to come for those who belong to Christ.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the incredible promise of a new heaven, new earth and new Jerusalem. In a world filled with so much pain, suffering and brokenness, this vision of the future fills us with hope. We long for the day when You will wipe away every tear from our eyes, and death, mourning, crying and pain will be no more. Lord, help us to keep this eternal perspective in the midst of our daily lives. When we face trials and difficulties, remind us that they are temporary in light of the glory yet to come. Give us strength to persevere in faith, knowing that our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the joy that awaits us in Your presence. Forgive us for the times when we have become too attached to the things of this world. Help us to hold loosely to the fleeting pleasures of this life, and to invest our time, talents and treasure in the eternal kingdom. May we live each day in light of eternity, seeking first Your kingdom and Your righteousness. Thank You for the promise that one day, You will dwell with us and we will be Your people. We long for the perfect fellowship that we will enjoy with You, face to face. Until that day, help us to walk closely with You, depending on Your grace and power each step of the way. We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our risen Savior and coming King. Amen.