What have you experienced this year that has made you think—this isn’t the way it should be? Maybe it’s frustrations with weather, a farm accident, a painful diagnosis, an ongoing struggle with you or a family member’s physical or mental health. Bodies shouldn’t be so vulnerable, relationships shouldn’t be so fragile, losses shouldn’t be this painful, work shouldn’t be this frustrating, life shouldn’t be this lonely.
In Revelation 21 we see the incredible news that for those who belong to Jesus, God will make everything right forever!
There will be comfort for all sorrow, resolution to all tension, healing from every disaster, consolation that swallows up every disappointment. All hurt will be healed and with God’s ongoing protection meaning we will never again experience the painful results of sin.
As we come near the end of Revelation, the apostle John has a final glorious vision that shows what God’s people have to look forward to. It’s an encouragement to keep going with Jesus, no matter what, it’s worth it! John gets a glimpse to what things will be like after the final judgment.
This is when we will receive our resurrection bodies. If we’re still alive when Jesus returns, we will be transformed at this point, but if we have already died, our bodies will be raised imperishable. How wonderful it will be to have bodies that won’t get sick or tired, but that’s not the best bit! We’re told in v2 that the wedding day has finally arrived, here is the wedding of all time! God and his people. The holy city is all those who have trusted in Jesus. They have been raised from the dead, and now they are dwelling with God (v3). This is something that has not happened since Genesis 2!
Finally, God can live with his people once again! Sin has been dealt with by Jesus, God and his people can live together. Where will we live? A place so wonderful that it’s described as the new heaven and new earth (v1), which probably means this current creation totally renewed.
Once God has restored the earth and made it ready for us, we will come down from heaven with all of God’s redeemed people to live and rule over the earth forever and like in Genesis 2, God will be with us. Nothing that spoils life now will be there. If you are a parent, you have likely wiped away tears from a child. Sometimes we wish we could do more for our children. God not only wipes away the tears, all the sadness that has come from living in this broken world, the health struggles, the hurt caused by others and the bereavements, He also removes all the sources of the tears. No more death (v4). Death seems so final, so painful. But Death itself has
been thrown into the lake of fire by this point, it cannot ruin God’s new creation! There will be no mourning and no crying and no pain!
Whenever you face those trials that make you think, life shouldn’t be like this, or you feel you’re missing out on something because you can’t join in for some reason, remind yourself of this future. Eternity will more than make up for it.
Lord Jesus Christ, as we come to close of another year, we thank you for your leading. Sometimes you have led us through painful times, but we trust you that you have been working all for our good. Please help us to face the new year with the confidence that for all who belong to you, the best is yet to come. When we face setbacks and find ourselves thinking, it shouldn’t be this way, please stamp eternity on our eyes so that we are reminded of what lies ahead. Thank you for all you have done for us, for dying for us so that we can enjoy this glorious future. Amen
Light and Momentary Troubles 
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