New Things

Revelation 21:1–8 NKJV

1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “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. 4 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.” 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.” 6 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. 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.”

Introduction:

As we move into chapter twenty one, we see the progression of God’s universal plan coming to fruition.

Now that Satan, wickedness, and the enemies of God have all been permanently destroyed, the Righteous God will dwell with His righteous people, forever!

This chapter introduces the eternal benefits and blessings of God upon and for His ...

Glory

Honor

Promises

People

God is neither impatient or impetuous.

Neither vindictive or unrighteous.

He is merciful and just!

We see in chapter twenty one, new things, and especially ...

I. A New Heaven and a New Earth.

Isaiah prophesied about it:

Isaiah 43:19 NKJV

19 Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.

Not that God’s original creation wasn’t perfect, just that it was tainted by the fall.

And less we think for a moment that God is somehow reactive, even the fall was His plan from the beginning.

I can say that assuredly because of what He makes new here.

A. It will be as spiritual as it is physical.

Everything about it will defy the laws of nature:

Verse 1 - “Also there was no more sea.”

The idea here is that God does not need to work within the framework of man’s understanding.

This is from one popular website

www.oneworldoneocean.com

THE OCEAN IS EARTH’S LIFE SUPPORT

50 to 70 % of our oxygen comes from the ocean. That’s more than all of the world’s rainforests combined.

The ocean is the #1 source of protein for more than a billion people.The ocean regulates our climate, absorbs carbon dioxide, holds 97% of Earth’s water, and supports the greatest abundance of life on our planet.

More than 60% of the world’s population lives on or near the coast.

The ocean provides a livelihood, recreation, beauty, wonder, and untapped scientific discovery, leading to new medications, foods, and advanced technologies. Everyone, everywhere depends on a healthy sea.

Mankind in his genius, is a dunce compared to the wonders of God.

B. It will be free from decay and pollutants.

There will be no need for industry.

There will be no need for commerce.

There will be no need for transportation.

There will be no need of food (except the food that God provides).

The perfect type of this is found in the Manna and quail provided the children of Israel in the wilderness.

C. It will be a haven for the redeemed.

II. A New Holy Place.

We saw this already back in Chapter 3 where Jesus speaks to the church of Philadelphia:

Revelation 3:12 NKJV

12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

A. God will be with us.

Jerusalem’s significance is quite diverse. Yet, the most important fact about it is that it is the place of the Temple of God.

Jerusalem - Temple - Priests - Sacrifices.

Holy Jerusalem - Temple of God (Body of Christ) - Priest (Christ the High Priest) - Sacrifice (Christ’s alone).

B. There will be no sin there.

For we shall be perfect!

C. There will be no death, sadness, or crying.

Conclusion:

Everything about our future is right here in these closing chapters.

My friend, why are we worried about anything in this world?

Why are we over anxious about so many things, when we will inherit the kingdom of God?