What gives us hope to endure the struggles of this life is that someday those struggles will come to an end, and a new, unimagined life will appear. I cannot imagine trying to live through the struggles of this life without that hope. Each day, I thank God for the goodness of this life, but that goodness is only a foretaste of what’s to come.
At the end of time, a new heaven and a new earth will be revealed, where we will live with God forever. That newness is not a metaphor; it is our coming reality.
John described what will happen at that time, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband” (21:1-2).
I have conducted many weddings over the years. The appearance of the Bride, beautifully dressed, walking down the aisle, is the center of attention at the ceremony. The Bride is the prize that Jesus will be given for all the pain and suffering He endured to have her.
At the moment of that union, the Bride of Christ will appear in all her glory. At her appearance, Jesus, the groom, will say, “Look, I am making all things new” (vs. 5). “All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children” (vs.7).
Our ultimate union with the Lord will happen because we have endured in our faith and have overcome the evil of this world by the power of Christ’s blood, “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars” (vs.8) will not be part of that wedding ceremony. Only those who have offered their sins to the Redeemer for His forgiveness will be allowed to attend.
John wrote, “Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life” (vs. 27).
Having our name written in the Book of Life will happen because we said “yes” to following Jesus, and gave our sins and brokenness to Him to receive His forgiveness. It will not be an assembly of perfect people. It will be an assembly of those whose sins are covered by the blood of the Lamb, even the sins they were still trying to overcome in this life that will someday pass away when a new heaven and a new earth are revealed.
In Christ, all things will be made new, including our lives. That is the power of God’s forgiveness. It’s a reality that will give us hope, helping us remain close to the Lord in this life. That enduring hope will prepare us for a new life that will someday come.
Thank you Garris. It is so good to dwell on these wonderful truths.