I Made all things New, Rev. 21:6-8 pt.5

Introduction

In May of 1987, after four long years of college, I graduated. I was finished. As a personal way for me to celebrate, I decided to jog from my house up to the top of Lookout Mountain and back. I had always wanted to challenge myself to do that. I wanted to see if I could do it. So one day that summer I took off. I don’t remember how long it took me to complete it, but I did it. I started out strong, full of confidence, no doubt in my mind that I would make it. It was already 2-3 miles before I reached the base of the mountain to start the ascent up that two lane highway that winds with switchbacks up the mountain. I just kept putting one foot in front of the other. I remember reaching the top and running through that iron gate and stopping at the water fountain to quench my thirst. I walked around there for a little while then started back down. My legs were burning, my lungs were at capacity. The trek down was harder than going up because of the jarring of my knees. you try to run down a hill and control your speed. Anyway I made it. But not without perseverance. I had to tell myself to keep going though my body had been screaming STOP! It won’t hurt just to walk. But I didn’t want to. I had to keep going. I hit that runners ‘wall’ they call it, where your body screams ‘STOP’ and you don’t and when you get through that it is like you get a second wind and it feels like you can keep going. I think it was about a 15 mile run. But let me tell you. When I ran that last step into the yard and walked in the door. I sat down, I probably sprawled on the floor. I don’t remember. But one thing I do remember is that I was finished. Now something like that you endure it, you keep going because it is not that much farther. That was just a small time thing. A small deed, a small trial.

But the Christian life is not just a jog up a mountain and back again. It is a lifelong haul. What is going to keep you going when everything is screaming at you to STOP! It isn’t yourself that is for sure. You don’t have the inner stamina to do it. You depend on yourself to keep going and you will be quitting at the first sign of serious trouble. John Mark quit in the middle of missionary journey with Paul and Barnabas because of persecution suffering. We are all John Marks, quitters, unless someone else enters the picture to empower you to keep going. John Mark came back and Paul greatly respected him later on.

Let me ask you again, what will keep you going when you want to quit?

Our text answers that.

Jesus gives us the answer. Something we can hang our hope on to keep us going. A Light to look for, an fountain to reach to slake your thirst, an inheritance to obtain in the end.

The first sign of hope he gives us is this:

I. It is Finished

You know the question the kids always ask, ‘Are we there yet?” the answer is ‘Yes!’ Lets pile out of the car.

He states here it is finished gegonan - God said from the throne after all the judgments: the 7 seals, 7 trumpets and 7 bowl judgments were finished and God said, “It is finished!”

In this one word is the entire gospel.

Revelation is the synoptic rundown of the end as Scripture comes full circle from the garden in to here where Christ says, “I make all things new.” That dealing with sin, with rebellion of mankind, with the finish of the redemptive plan of God is found in this.

When Jesus hung on the cross and he said, “It is finished.” That was a declaration that the purpose for the incarnate Son of God was completed. He had finished the task of being the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. He was the Passover Lamb, the sacrifice that atoned for our sin. The redemptive work on the cross, payment of our sin was complete. Nothing more, no more sacrifice can be made. It is finished. And being raised from the dead and ascending to Heaven He sat down at the right hand of the Father. His work as the sacrificial Lamb was done.

The redemptive work on the cross payment of our sin was complete. Nothing more, no more sacrifice can be made. It is finished.

Now this word here speaks of the entire redemptive plan of God for all history. The plan that would restore man to the garden of God, to the place of dwelling with God for eternity was finished. The judgment of Satan and the fallen angels, the judgment of all unbelievers has been finished. The work of eradicating sin from the world is complete. And Jesus now sitting on the throne declares that it is done.

We can take hope in the fact that it is done. God is done at that point with eradicating sin from the world.

Having said that it is finished, Jesus offers two promises that when understood and believed will enable you and me to endure anything that comes our way in this life.

The One who offers the promise: The Alpha and Omega. We met him in chapter 1:8.

This is see in the title used of the Lamb here in our text, the Alpha and Omega, The beginning and the end, this speaks of the fact all encompassing nature of God. He is the A to Z. But this tells us clearly that He was there in the beginning, in the garden as Adam and Eve fail miserably and rebel in their sin. He is also here in the end, when believing man is restored to the garden.

He does make all things new. He has made all things new. That process was begun in the garden and it has continued with you and me if we are in Christ we are also a new creation.

He brings all things to completion. His purposes are complete.He is the one who starts and ends all things. He is the sovereign one over history. He is the originator and the completer of all things. And so we can trust in these two promises.

He is the One who specifically said to John, as if He wanted to make sure there was no miscommunication:

Promise #One: The Total all encompassing restoration from being parched to the point of being dead in your trespasses and sins by drinking from the fountain which is Christ by faith.

I will give to the one who thirsts out of the water of life freely.

Why this statement here? Jesus said it is finished. My work is completed. There is nothing more to be done.

This is an invitation straight out of the mouth of the one who alone can satisfy.

The picture of the water of life is nothing new to John and it is not new to us. We have seen it before.

The prophet Isaiah speaks of the restoration of Israel to the land and declares that they will not hunger or thirst ()

Isaiah 49:10 ESV

they shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them, for he who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them.

In he said, “when the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them: I the God of Israel will not forsake them.”

In he said, “when the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them: I the God of Israel will not forsake them.”

The fact is, only those who recognize they are poor and needy who realize there is nothing to satisfy their thirst, will seek water from another source. Only then will they cry out. And when they do there is Jesus offering them living water.

When Israel was in the desert they needed water and Moses spoke to the rock and water poured out. And when He smote the rock on another occasion water poured out. The Apostle Paul said that rock was Jesus.

Then we have the woman at the well who was thirsty and records that conversation between her and Jesus. But especially,

, . READ THIS

We see This water of life flows out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, .

In other words, our text is telling us that anyone who wants to drink of Jesus. That is to recognize there utter bankruptcy, recognize they are poor and needy, repent and believe in Him He gives to them the all satisfying water of life. “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” He defines drinking from the fountain of life as believing in Jesus.

In he told us that “He will guide them to springs of living water” who is the ‘them’? It is those who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. And

Revelation 22:17 ESV

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

This speaks of grace of God. Only those who thirst, who know thirst come.

We also have His title- Alpha and Omega

Now we have His promises to keep us enduring.

The last part of the verse is the promise: to all who thirst I will give freely of the water of life.

This speaks of grace of God. Only those who thirst, who know thirst come.

Who are the thirsty? Those who are thirsting for the glory of God.

; ; ;

This invitation is for those who recognize they are thirsty. They see their need. They realize there is only one place to quench their thirst. There is only one fountain, one person who can completely satisfy.

They realize that money, designer clothes, cars, things do not satisfy them. They may have all those things and still be empty. They realize that being healed from a disease, or some other malady cannot satisfy. They realize that having a stress free life, no problems or troubles is not enough. The thirsty realize that they themselves are bankrupt of any ability to quench their thirst. They need another to do that. Jesus invites you to drink.

In other words you realize that you are not able, not capable of finding or quenching your thirst on your own.

The question is do you thirst for Him. Do you recognize your utter inability to to find relief from the pain of death, mourning, weeping and pain that occupied your sinful life. Do you see that Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith is the only One who can supremely satisfy that thirst in your soul? Because only those who are acutely aware of their thirst will come.

I was out west for a colt starting clinic several years ago when I was at a watering hole which served as a rest stop for a competition my host was putting on. As we were standing there Ken, my host, pointed out a few horses, making a distinction between the working ranch horses and those horses that were basic domestic horses ridden for pleasure not work. He told me to watch the ranch horses, every one of them will get a drink from the trough, but he said the domestic horses will not drink even though it is offered. and sure enough only the working ranch horses got a drink when it was offered by the rider. The reason, I was told, was because the working horse didn’t know when they would get a chance for another drink. While the pleasure horse had no clue.

There are some here who have no clue. Jesus offers the drink to the thirsty. Are you a thirsty one? Won’t you drink? You might not get another chance.

Are you thirsty for fellowship with God?

Why Not? What keeps you from wanting, no, craving fellowship with God?

This water is free, it is without cost to the thirsting. This is grace expressed. You cannot pay for it, you cannot earn it or do anything for it accept receive it from Jesus hand.

Jesus Himself is the Alpha and Omega. He Himself, He alone is the One who is able to freely give of the water of life to the thirsty. No other can give this. There is no other source. The water flows out of His throne. Straight from Him. He said a similar thing to the Samaritan woman and it meant the same thing there.

In both sense ego has the emphatic I Myself connotation. Jesus Himself is the Alpha and Omega. He Himself, He alone is the One who is able to freely give of the water of life to the thirsty. No other can give this. There is no other source. He said a similar thing to the Samaritan woman and it meant the same thing there.

What about the second promise?

Promise #2.: Total transference from having no identity to being identified with and as part of the family of God.

one of quenched thirst

2.Total transference from having no identity to being identified with and as part of the family of God.

We see this in the fact that we were transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light by faith in Jesus Christ. Only when you realize you are a nobody, absent all pride and arrogance, will you see the need for re-identification in Christ. And those who are re-identified in Christ will overcome. That is the second promise.

Notice what He said, “I will be his God and he my son.” there is in both the idea of deliberate intention, no one accidentally receives eternal life. It is reserved for those who thirst and come to Jesus as we already saw ; and who show their faith by their works, they overcome.

When you see those are faithful unto death will receive the crown of life.

Who are those who overcome?

The idea of overcoming has to do with not caving in to the persecutors of the faith. Overcomers hang on to their faith. They overcome by the blood of the Lamb.

In other words they will inherit all the blessings of the New Heaven and new earth.

The idea of overcoming has to do with not caving in to the persecutors of the faith. Overcomers hang on to their faith. THey overcome by the blood of the Lamb.

Again the picture is that of a person who realizes he cannot do it on his own. All the self effort, the performance, the rituals, the trying will not enable you to overcome. You have to come to the conclusion that you are useless, helpless, incapable of overcoming without Christ.

You can’t even overcome on your own. Overcoming is only through the blood of Jesus. Those who realize that quit trying to be good enough. They quit trying to perform in order to overcome.

Now do not misunderstand, I am not saying ‘let it go’ give it to God’ as though you have no responsibility. David still had to go out and sling the Stone in order to kill Goliath. God did not just kill Goliath, though He could have spoken a word. The priests still had to enter the Jordan river before it dried up so the nation could cross, though God could have spoken the word to do so. Joseph still had to take Mary and Jesus down to Egypt in order to protect him, though God could have protected him.

And you still have to repent and believe and maintain that steadfastness if you are to overcome. He will enable or empower you through the Holy Spirit to do so.

Notice this about those who overcome:

It is the overcomers who are to inherit these blessings of the eternal state. In the letters to the seven churches we learned that the overcomers will eat from the tree of life (2:7), not be hurt by the second death (2:11), be given hidden manna and a white stone (2:17), receive authority over the nations (2:26), not have their names blotted from the book of life (3:5), be a pillar in the temple of God (3:12), and sit with Christ on his throne (3:21). All this is the inheritance of those who remain constant in their faith during the period of final testing. (Mounce, R. H. (1997). The Book of Revelation (pp. 385–386). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.)

In other words they will inherit all the blessings of the New Heaven and new earth.

their inheritance includes everything that is promised in the letters to the churches including all that would be included in the household of God.

The bottom line, the ultimate benefit of the inheritance would be God’s presence with His people as we examined in verse 3,4.

All is finished for that to happen in our lives. We can slake our thirst at the fountain of living water which is Christ and overcome by the blood of Christ and enjoy Him forever. While those who continue to try to find their joy in other things will be on the outside literally looking in to heaven from the lake burning with sulphur.

There is a warning:v.8 Outside looking in

This is in contrast to v.6,7. It is a note of warning. Those who do not believe will experience the second death. These are those who will not share in the blessings of God’s presence.

These are those who do not thirst for the water of life. They do not seek satisfaction from the only one who can actually satisfy. They may profess Christ. But in the end they turn away. They do not persevere which shows they never truly believed in the first place. They are false professors. They wanted Jesus + something else. Rather they are content to keep seeking satisfaction in their abominations, their adulteries, drugs and idolatry. These are those who walk up to the well in the desert, dying of thirst, and look at the well of crystal clear, all satisfying water and instead want to drink out of the mud puddle that surrounds the well and has been trampled by the feet of people and livestock. They seek to quench their thirst with sex, with religious ritual/works, their drugs, things that build their pride and arrogant egos.

You might remember that Jesus at that time will turn those who are the false professors away.

I am not going to go through all these words although there is one I want to address for clarification.

This list is also repeated in as those who remain outside the gates of the city. Now they are characterized by those who are cowardly - the word means to be miserable or wretched. . δειλός is a word for cowardice from the ancient world so detestable that one guilty of this attribute was considered vile and worthless. Since one man’s cowardice is not only a reflection on his character but also often the cause of suffering for his fellows, the term becomes even more reprehensible.

Patterson, P. (2012). Revelation. (E. R. Clendenen, Ed.) (Vol. 39). Nashville, TN: B&H.

-The cowardly are those who deny the faith who through fear avoid conflict. it is the idea of timid or fearful, the underlying thought is that of being fearful in the face of danger or persecution. Beale suggests “an empty faith, since it is followed by ‘unbelieving ones,’ and is pointed further by Jesus awakened in the boat during a storm where the plural . . . is directly followed by ‘ones of little faith’.”

Contrast this with those who will be bold and confident at the coming of Christ rather than calling for the rocks to fall on them.

-unbelieving is the next word, those without faith. ie. those who don’t believe in Jesus

The next part of the list indicates those who were pagan unbelievers.

-vile or abominable, those who are defiled, polluted. the idea of detestable, reprehensible, it is not that they hate, but they are polluted, abhorred by God.

murderers,

sexually immoral,

sorcerers drug abusers-these are those who cast spells usually involving drugs. cf.

idolaters

and all those who lie - this may point to those who professed Christ but were found to be false. The word is used of those who called themselves apostles and were not () and in .

their part/share in the lake burning with fire and brimstone.

all of these would apply to those who have worshipped the beast and partook with him or the great harlot to worship the beast and participate in her fornication.

The difference between these two groups amounts to what they do with the truth revealed through the gospel. Those that believe in Jesus to eternal life in the new heaven and earth, those who reject Him into lake of fire.

Conclusion

Be merciful to others and each other. One of the things we should keep in mind is that we are all like this before our salvation. Remember Paul’s statement to the Corinthians

AS some point out the list begins with cowards and ends with liars seemingly indicating so-called christians who facing the threat or reality of persecution failed. They have turned back.

One of the things we should keep in mind is that we are all like this before our salvation. Remember Paul’s statement to the Corinthians

One of the things we should keep in mind is that we are all like this before our salvation. Remember Paul’s statement to the Corinthians

I think also that he means for us to consider which camp we are in: that of the thirsty, the overcomer or that of the false professor/unbeliever.

Again we come to the why John wrote this. What is he trying to accomplish in his readers by sharing this information? What is God trying to get me to do, or think as a result of reading and understanding what is said here?

Endure with hope all that you face in the future, no matter what. Jesus work is done in a way. Sure what is mentioned in our text isn’t finished yet. But John speaks as though it is done. And we can be sure that “He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

I think also that he means for us to consider which camp we are in: that of the thirsty, the overcomer or that of the false professor/unbeliever.

FAITHFULLY ENDURE TO THE END

hope - so those suffering would keep the faith and not turn back -FAITHFUL ENDURANCE

confidence in the Word of God - He is the Alpha and Omega, His words are faithful and true

I MAKE ALL THINGS NEW

We can be confident and hopeful because

-the source of this Statement is God

-the One who is Sovereign - He sits on the throne

-His words are faithful and True - that is His character, It is both the testimony of John, and of the totality of Scripture. What God said would happen has happened 100%.

-He is the Alpha and Omega/ Beginning and the End -As Creator He knows all from beginning to end. He is above and outside the realms of human happenings in this world. So He knows.

-We have the promise of continued fellowship - we have already slacked our thirst at the fountain of life at our salvation, the fountain continues to flow

-We have the promise of inheritance as overcomers. Those who faithfully endure demonstrate that they were true believers. Those who don’t were never in Christ in the first place.

-We have the warning of the end of those who do not believe

those who do not endure to the end showing they were false professors

those who were outright unbelievers

These are our motivations for faithful endurance of any trial we face today!