Revelation 21:1-4, 22-27; 22:1-5 A Greater Hope

Introduction

We have been given a great hope!

Vi’s story: How come God is not answering my prayers. The situation is not changing and it seems like the bad wins.

What is our Hope?

A hope that gives comfort:

v. 1 Fulfillment of Is.

“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. 4 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.” The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Re 21:3–4). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

Fulfillment of Isaiah 51, 65 & 66

What this means for us: That our sense of pain and loss are temporary!

A hope that gives direction

v. 22

v. 24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, 25 and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. 26 They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations.

The New City has become the very temple of the cosmos. For from it God’s light shines to the nations giving direction. No longer do the nations represent enmity with God but rather the nations now bring glory to God.

Gates will never be shut, there will be no more night. No source of evil.

A hope that gives meaning & purpose

22 v.1- 2The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Eze. 47

v. 3 No longer accursed: Restored vocation. Kingdom of priests.

v. 4 Reign- Restoration of Gen. 1:26