God will make all things new

Introduction

Remembrance Sunday is a day when we remember those who lost their lives fighting for this country. It is a day that we remember them but we cannot help but be reminded of the horrors of war, and in turn evil in our world.

In the Word of God we learn where evil comes from, why it is here and how God has dealt with it.

In our passage we learn evil will not be allowed to go on forever. God’s people will not always suffer. A day is coming when everything will be made new.

We learn that those who believe in Christ look forward to a glorious future that will not spoil and also that the wicked will be judged.

There is a reward for those who are made righteous by the blood of Christ and there is judgement for those who die in their sin.

On a day like this we can be very aware that this world is fallen, yet we find encouragement in this passage thst God will make all things new.

I. John’s vision v.1-2

a) New heaven new earth

John begins by describing what he saw he says “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.”

In the previous verses John has described the great white throne judgement. He has described the fate of the wicked and now he describes the future of the saints.

He says he saw a new creation, a new heaven and a new earth. The old world which we now live in will one day be done away with, the effects of the fall will be eradicated, God will bring in a new order, a new creation.

We have a fuller description of this in 2 Peter 3:10,13 “10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. ...13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”

This new heavens and new earth will be new in every way. One of them is mentioned immediately by John.

b) No more sea

At the end of v.21 John says “Also there was no more sea.”

To John this seemed like an important feature of the new creation. There will not be any sea.

What did he mean by this?

Some read this literally, meaning there will not be any actual sea, which may be true.

But I think the point being made is that there is no evil, or rebellion, or suffering there. Through out the Scriptures the sea is used as a metaphor for evil. We see this throughout Revelation. One example is found in Revelation 13 where the beast is seen coming out of the sea.

The point John seems to be making here is that there is no evil or rebellion against God in the new heaven and the new earth. This is an important point, which is why John highlights it.

Not only is there no sea but there is another important feature that John draws to our attention.

c) new Jerusalem

In v.22 John says “Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”

After seeing the new heaven and new earth, where there is no sea. John describes a new Jerusalem. He refers to it as the holy city and says that it comes down out of heaven from God.

What does John mean by this? Is it a literal new Jerusalem, possibly.

The main point though is that God will dwell with his people.

Jerusalem through out the scriptures is seen as the place where God’s temple is.

II. Angelic proclamation v.3-4

After John describes his vision, he records for us the words of a load voice from heaven.

This voice reinforces and further explains what John has just seen.

a) God will dwell with men v.3

The voice begins by saying that God will dwell with men.

In v.3 the voice says “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.”

b) No more suffering v.4

After proclaiming that God will dwell with men the voice from heaven declares what the outcome of this will be.

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

III. God’s proclamation v.5-8

a) I make all things new v.5

“Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

b) Offer of life v.6-7

“And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.

c) Wicked will be punished v.8

“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Conclusion