I Give You Hope

Context

Series. This is #12 of 12. A full trip through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. God’s promises throughout.

Final Promise: I Give You Hope.

Illustration comes from the book of Revelation.

About this book

Author: John. The Beloved Disciple. Witness to the Supper, death and resurrection and ascension.

Was not martyred. Lived to a senior age.

In exile on Patmos for his witness.

Time 90s. 60 years after Jesus’ resurrection.

Context: Persecution of Christians. Emperor Domitian.

Famous for doom and gloom. But really about hope. Hope beyond the suffering of the present age rooted in the trust that God’s kingdom will come, evil will be vanquished, and God’s people vindicated and comforted.

Second to last chapter of the last book of the Bible: Rev. 21:1-7.

Text

Revelation 21:1–7 ESV

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.” 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.

Introduction

Example from D.L. Moody’s death. (— Jones, G. Curtis.)

Shortly before Dwight L. Moody died, he spoke these words: “Earth recedes; heaven opens before me.” This statement has become famous around the world.

Moody’s son, William L. who was with his father, testified that the evangelist continued: “No, this is no dream, Will. It is beautiful. It is like a trance. If this is death, it is sweet. There is no valley here. God is calling me, and I must go.” Soon the rest of the family was assembled. Only recently, the evangelist and the family had lost two of the grandchildren, Dwight and Irene.

Moody’s face suddenly lit up, and he exclaimed: “Dwight! Irene! I see the children’s faces!”

Heaven: with God, with each other, sorrows replaced by joy!

Expands our vision of reality. There is more than just this world. The vision of the next world as a place of life, joy, reunion, with loved ones, with God, puts our current life into perspective, a perspective that is impossible apart from revelation. As Moody’s. As John’s.

Exegesis

The first century. Christianity a new religion. A unique claim, growing out of the Jewish religion:

Its claim that the one God, became human, Jesus, and died on a cross and rose again bodily from the grave and went to heaven, and will one day come again. And that by placing faith in him and in him alone, anyone could share in his resurrection and eternal life.

God would never become man.

A Lord would never be crucified.

The claim of resurrection of the dead was preposterous.

There is not just one truth, one savior, one lord, for all people everywhere.

So there was often persecution. Stamp out this religion that was obsessed with Jesus.

Examples of suffering and questioning in John’s day.

verbally maligned. Socially ostracized. (Smyrna)

possessions seized. (Smyrna)

thrown in jail. (Smyrna)

Christians killed with the sword. Or given to wild beasts. A disciple called Antipas is specified. (Pergamum)

As Christians endured these adversities, it was natural that they should sometimes struggle with doubt.

Is it worth suffering like this for Jesus’ name?

Even if we do maintain our faith…what essential difference will that make. Won’t everyone have an afterlife. Why cling to Jesus and his strict way of love, mercy, and self-sacrifice?

Revelation comes to meet this need.

The revelation acknowledges all the suffering, the persecution, the losses of the faithful Christian community.

Links it all to the experience of Jesus himself.

Jesus who suffered. Lamb of God. Who suffered: the first witness (Martyr).

That is what is happening to you. Be faithful, Jesus has gone ahead of you.

When with his disciples, Jesus said If the world hates you, do not be surprised, know that it hated me before it hated you.

in this world you will have tribulation, but fear not for I have overcome.

Sermon on the Mount: Blessed are you when you are persecuted and insulted for my name, rejoice and be glad for your reward in heaven is great, for so they treated the prophets before you.

The next step, what is not yet visible, links the future to what happened in Jesus.

Jesus who was raised. Enjoyed vindication. New life. Beyond the reach of death, sorrow. In glory with God.

That is what is going to happen to the Christian community.

When Jesus comes, the Christian faithful will share in the resurrection. beyond death and sorrow. Glory and unity with God.

Culmination picture in ch. 21.

A new heavens and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth had passed away.

Old creation passed away, a new creation comes

Like Jesus. His body. And yet not his old body. No longer mortal. The way it was intended to be.

the sea was no more. Symbolic of chaos and evil.

like the grave clothes left behind.

A whole new setting. A whole new context of reality.

Into this reality comes the holy city. The new Jerusalem. Like a bride adorned for her husband.

image of a wedding. The space is created. Then bridegroom is ready. The congregation is waiting.

Then the bride comes in. Full glory of beauty and joy.

Starting a new life. No longer separate but husband and wife. One.

That is what John sees. God’s people, symbolized by the Holy City, like a bride, and God the Son, like a groom receiving. God the Father - making the announcement of a new, unified, inseparable life:

Behold the dwelling place of God is with man.

Great joy: The husband and wife are finally together!

All that God has wanted

in the first Garden of Eden. With man. But separated by sin.

in earthly temple. With man. But separated by sin.

in Christ bodily....temporarily…and now finally!

In this new relationship

All tears are wiped away. No more death, sorrow, crying or pain.

All that is passed away. No more.

No matter how happy we are in this world, it cannot be perfect because it must end. But that is not true in heaven. It will not end.

The one on the throne says, I make all things new! (v.5) God the Father speaks in the first person for the first time in the book.

The Last Temptation of Christ, these words are put in the mouth of Jesus when he is on the way to the cross. Reminding us that the way to heaven is through the cross. Suffering, death, resurrection. So with all things, suffering, death, resurrection.

Jesus and The Father want the same thing.

It is done! (v.6) A mirror to Jesus’ cry from the cross. At his death, the penalty for sin was paid. It is finished. At the coming of the kingdom, The Father proclaims: It is done!

Then God says to John: Write this down. It is trustworthy and sure.

As surely as Jesus died and rose again. So all God’s people will die and rise again.

So stay hopeful. Who overcomes adversity with hope will enter into life. Drink from the spring of the water of life.

Interpretation

Secular writers often write of hope that is

faint, illusory, feeble, desperate hope. Why because they do not know God.

But for those who know God. Hope is revealed, clear, it is assured, strong.

The book of Revelation. Doom and gloom. No, hope.

A glimpse of what reality is all about....a “showing” from God.

Alpha and Omega — God with Man.

Genesis — Revelation God with Man.

The in-between time is a time for hope.

Hope: What IS IT?

A vision of a future good.

The more certain the future, the greater the good, the more cause for hope.

EG: hands: low certainty, high good = despair

high certainty, low good = despair

high certainty, high good = strong hope

A strong word of encouragement to early Christians.

Romans 8:17–18 ESV

and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Hope enables us to continue to do good, even when suffering results, adversity comes. “For you labor is not wasted.”

Hope implicit in all the great stories of promise we have considered in this series:

God promised Abraham: I will show you. Abraham believed in the certain and good future. He hoped!

God promised Moses: I will be with you. Moses believed in the certain and good future. He hoped!

God/Jeremiah: I have a plan for you.

God/Esther: I have placed you.

Jesus/disciples: I share my mission with you..

Jesus/Paul: I give you community.

Hope like a strong anchor for the soul is to be characteristic of a Christian.

Source of encouragement in the midst of adversity and even death.

Moody’s joy. God calls I must go. I see the ones I love!

In the end, all will be well. If all is not well, it is not the end.

Application

Get into prayerful exile. Stop looking to the world to meet your needs, and start looking to Christ. You, like John, are the Beloved. Prayerfully consider the destination.

Cognitive. Have you believed in Christ only for this life?

I can’t ever get close to God. God will dwell with them!

This world will never get better. I make all things new.

These hurt or grief or sorrow will never go away: He will wipe away every tear.

Maybe I should just give up on faith, Jesus, church: To the one who perseveres I will give life!

Emotional.

what hurt. Healed. Thomas Moore: Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.

What sin. Forgiven.

Dante: the river Lethe which washes away the memory of sin.

What relationship. Mended.

Desire for God. Met.

Behavioral

Morning planning session. I don’t do it. Weekly sometimes. Monthly. Yearly. What is my eternal goal. and how does that shape my current experience.

planning for worship. Bible Study. Giving. Giving and receiving forgiveness. Serving. Mission.

Action makes it more real. Embodied.

Conclusion

Revelation is about hope.

Jesus showed John, so he could show us.

Persevere in faith because there is hope.

There is a future that is pulling us forward.

The series. 12 of 12. Whole Bible.

Let us Trust the promises.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

let us offer our prayers and thanksgivings for the church and the world saying, Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For the well-being of your creation, that we may promote its ability to offer praise to you through spacious skies, bountiful seas, verdant lands, and precious creatures great and small.

For the life of the church, that our generous witness may broaden your table as all find a place to live and grow in love.

For the welfare of your world, that all leaders and people young and old will strive to live together in harmony while serving the common good.

For all who suffer any violence, pain, or grief, that they will know the comfort of your presence as you wipe every tear from their eyes.

For the love made known to us in Jesus Christ through this community, for this and all other blessings we give you thanks and praise.

For all who have died, that you will bring them to the fullness of your joy, where mourning and pain will be no more.

For so many blessings, and for answered prayers, we give you thanks through Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen .

Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year C, Volume 1 (pp. 162-163). Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. Kindle Edition.

CALL TO CONFESSION

Trusting in the love of God to make all things new, let us confess our sin to God and our neighbor.

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

God’s promises are trustworthy and true; your sins are forgiven. Be at peace to serve the Lord, and may you always be known by your love.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING/DEDICATION

Loving God, we give you thanks for the ministry of reconciliation to which you call us in the name of Jesus Christ and his resurrection. Accept these gifts for your mission to heal all creation. May they be a testament to your love for us as we share them in love for you; through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen .

CHARGE

Be a hopeful people, living not for what can be seen, but for what cannot be seen. For no eyes has seen, no ear heard, nor mind conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him.

BLESSING

May God who has made you a new creation give you the grace to grow in faith, hope, love, and justice.

Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year C, Volume 1 (p. 164). Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. Kindle Edition.