God Makes All Things New

[Announce text] If you brought a bible, please turn with me to the twenty-first chapter in the book of Revelation. Our textual passages will be in Revelation 21:1-8 for today’s message.

[Scripture introduction] John, the beloved disciple of Jesus and an exile because of the gospel, writes about his spiritual experience of the climactic scene when heaven touches earth. In his vision, John sees a world that is fading away, and yet, one that is ushering in the blessed hope to the worshippers of God and the Lamb.

Everything written in the Book of Revelation directs the people of God to prepare for this moment in salvation history in which all things are made new.

[Reannounce and read text] I now invite you to read along with me in Revelation 21:1-8 concerning John’s apocalyptic vision of the new heaven and earth.

[Prayer for illumination] Almighty God, we give you adoration, thanksgiving, and glory because of the treasures of your Word. Now, at this time, speak to us through my preaching concerning what will happen at your Second Coming and renew our blessed hope as we wait for you. We pray this in the name of Jesus, the risen Savior. Amen.

[Introduction] All seems lost, near the end of The Return of the King. The armies of men stand vastly outnumbered at the gates of Mordor. Evil is everywhere. But then, the Ring is destroyed. Evil collapses. Light breaks through. Victory comes in an instant, and the world begins to heal.

Now imagine watching that movie again. The dark moments are still there — betrayal, loss, despair — but you’re not overwhelmed, because you know the end of the story. You know that Mount Doom will erupt, the Ring will melt, and peace will return to Middle-earth.

That’s what Revelation 21 gives us. God shows us the end: evil undone, death destroyed, and a new world born. When you know the ending, you don’t succumb to despair — you press on in hope. The King is coming, and He will make all things new.

However, sometimes, we don’t internalize this truth because our lives experience a painful reality. [FCF] We live in a world marked by death, pain, brokenness, and separation from God, leading many to despair, compromise, or lose hope.

[Scripture bond] The good news is that John’s vision gives us a foretaste of the blessed hope for the worshippers of God and the Lamb. I am not trying to stand up here to tell you to get over your hurts and feelings, but I want to shed light on those experiences. According to the Word of God, our truth authority for life. These painful realities are not forever because...

[Proposition] We worship the Living God, who makes all things new.

And the present pains will not keep going on forever. It will come to an end. Here’s some encouragement for those of us who are grieving today.

[Main point 1] Everything that hinders our worship of God will disappear at His Second Coming.

[Explanation] He will take away death, affliction, tears, and pain, and he will remove those who live outside the will of God. What will be left to distract us? Nothing!

[Illustration] Last week, we read from Revelation 7:9-17 about the white-robbed Saints who came out of the tribulation and worshipped. When they came into glory, all that remained for these Christians was life with God. The former things that could hinder their worship are no more. God was with them.

[Application] He is with us now. Even if we can’t see God. We believe is greater than current sufferings. Hence, we can begin to worship because the day is coming when God will remove all evil and pain by his almighty presence. This is why you can praise and worship God who reigns on his throne.

And when he shows up. Not only will the things that disrupted your worship go, but your old self. God isn’t just about removing your distractions of heavenly worship; he wants to do more than you can imagine.

[Main Point 2] God promises to make all things new, including you!

[Explanation] You will get a new glorified body, a new home, a new purpose, and a deeper relationship with God.

[Illustration] Jesus is the first to experience all these blessings. On Easter morning, Christ received a renewed body and ascended home 40 days later. His purpose was fulfilled and is still being worked out today through his mediation and shepherding of the church. Christ’s relationship with God remained perfected because of his willingness to die for sinners and bring us to God through the shedding of his blood on the cross.

Imagine what it will be like for you on this day, when the Lord makes you new. What will it be like? But what if I told you that you can begin living a life of newness now, full of worship of the God who saves and renews? It’s true.

[Application] We can begin the life of being made new through faith, repentance, confession, and baptism.

God promises to make us new through his Son. In the New Testament, those who believed in the gospel—the good news about Jesus—responded with faith by confessing him to be Lord and Savior, rejecting a life of death and sin, and surrendering by being baptized into Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

He is making people new here.

God wants to make you a new person. Don’t let anyone stop you from following Jesus because he is worthy of all your praise.

Lastly, in times of hardship, let's remember this.

[Main Point 3] We worship God even in difficult days because He is trustworthy and true.

[Explanation] See what he told John in verse 5. Where is it seated? A throne. He’s the King of kings and Lord of lords. His statement, “Behold, I am making all things new. Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

He could say this because he knew the story. It was because of what he said next: “It is done!”

Where else do you hear something like that in the Scriptures?

Jesus said on the cross, “It is finished.”

We can worship because God is faithful to us. He promises to give us the water of life, make us his heritage, and make us his child.

How can this be? It’s because of Jesus.

[Illustration] Remember, when your hardest days come. When your children are screaming in the back seat of the car. Your friend is dying from cancer and needs a ride to the hospital. When you're caring for your parents who are weak and tired. When you feel alone and forgotten.

God is still with you. So you can worship Him.

As my late Bible college professor, Billy Strother, said at my graduation ceremony, “Jesus is with you on good days, bad days, and regular days.”

[Application] Worship God because his words are trustworthy and true. The new things are coming.

[Conclusion] We worship the Living God, who is making all things new.

Next time, read an old book, watch a movie, or tell a family joke. You know the beginning, middle, and end. So does God. He knows that this day is coming.

Know this ending. Live your life as if this ending is almost here. Indeed, God is faithful, and this day will come. Hold on with faith and worship him today and forevermore.

Amen.