S17P7 – When Jesus walked in: a new home

Rev. 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 there was no longer any sea. 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 loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell 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.”

The earth on which we reside today is far from perfect. From earthquakes to tornadoes to hurricanes, it can be a dangerous and unforgiving place. In this order of things, that is par for the course. Jesus spoke of these such things as birth pains [Matt. 24:8], which signal delivery, birth, the coming of something new. That new thing is the new order of things, which brings with it a new environment worthy of being God’s dwelling place. One day, the curse that rests over the earth will be no more, and perfection will arise [Rev. 22:3].

Today’s scripture tells us that God will one day live with us and among us on earth in his Holy City. In order for that to be possible, the environment in which God is to dwell must be worthy of his presence. The imperfect and corrupt creation that surrounds us today simply will not cut it. God’s solution is to create a new heavens and a new earth. That which we see today that causes us to be filled with awe and wonder, incredible landscapes and seascapes, little pieces of paradise on earth, pale in comparison to what God has in store for us in the next order of things. Even the beautiful heavens with their myriad constellations and systems will be replaced with something more magnificent and perfect. The Father will spare nothing from consideration when ushering in the perfect environment that will be our and his eternal home [Rev. 22:5].

We serve a God of newness who desires to renew and replace every imperfect part of our current world. One day we will see this world and these heavens pass away, and a creation for God himself to dwell within will appear around us. That will be our home. The evils of this world, the pain and tears, the fear and danger, will be no more. We will live in perfect peace with our Father among us in a true kingdom fit for the only true king. Father, keep our eyes on the prize, anticipating in faith the day when You will bring about this glorious vision and reside with us eternally in perfection.