Revelation 21:1-7
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.
Devotion
Eternity is unveiled in chapter twenty-one. We will see a new heaven, a new earth, a new Jerusalem, a new era, and the eternal dwelling of Christ and His bride. In the vision now given to John, evil has passed and he observes the new order of things to come. John is now given a vision of a new heaven and a new earth. He also is allowed to see a new Jerusalem coming down from this new heaven.
Then John hears a voice coming from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.” Perfect fellowship with God has been restored. The fellowship that Adam and Eve experienced before the fall has been restored. There is a new order of things, characterized by laughter without tears, life without death, singing without mourning, content without crying, pleasure without pain. Paradise has been restored! The voice from the throne then declares, “I am making everything new!”
John is then instructed to write down these words, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning, and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.” The identity of Him who sits on the throne is now clear. Jesus, the Lion and Lamb of God, is the One who is now speaking to John. Jesus used this same reference to Himself in chapter one of Revelation.
In this new order of things, people will thirst after God and the things of God, and they will be satisfied. This harkens back to what Jesus said in Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” In this new order of things, God will provide all of our needs, and we will not look to anyone or anything else to satisfy our souls. Those who have overcome because of their faith will inherit this new kingdom (read Romans 8:16-17).
Questions to Ponder
How are you liking the ending to this story so far? In what ways is fellowship with God restored in this text? What does it mean when Jesus says, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them”? Why does Jesus refer to Himself as the “Alpha and Omega”? Where do you turn today to find satisfaction for your soul?
Prayer Points
- Worship the Lord as Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End, the Lord Almighty.
- Tell the Lord You long to be with Him in His fullness, in perfect fellowship.
- Ask the Lord to help you share Him with others today.
- Pray for those in your sphere of influence, come to know Christ and encourage those in Your midst.
Suggested Prayer
Lord, You are the Lion and Lamb of God. I praise You for being my all-in-all. God, I ask that You would be the First and Last in all things of my life. Convict me, Lord, when I start to turn to other things to fill what only You can fill. Lead me by Your Word into Your truth, oh God. I ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.