Here John introduces us to
the renewed heaven and earth after the final judgement. At this point we see a fresh start to
everything. The first heaven and the first earth are no more. Unlike death and
hades described as destroyed in the previous chapter, John merely says here
that they passed away. The sea is no more is probably an expression to say that
chaos, darkness and the deep no longer exist. Disorder gave way to peace, death
to life and chaos to orderliness. This is a sheer miracle of God and not
because of human ingenuity or cleverness. It has nothing to do with modern
science and technology.
Then we see the heavenly
city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from heaven. Briefly introduced, we know
that this is a gift from God. The full description will be given later. Jerusalem
is an accepted symbol of the people of God. For a long while it has been spoken
of as the Jew’s faith and hope. The New Jerusalem then is an image of God’s new
people and God will seal a new covenant with this new people of His.
John then heard a voice
declaring that God’s dwelling place is now with men. God will live among His
people. And they shall be His new covenant people. There will also be no tear
anymore because God Himself will wipe away all tears. Death will no longer have
a part. And there will be no sorrow, no crying, not even pain because the
former had passed away. This is
certainly the description of eternity and not of time.
And John said that He who
sat on the throne said, “Behold I am making all things new.” Then He proceeded
to instruct him to write everything down for what He said is faithful and
true. The reason John is told to write the faithful and true word because they
come from the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. And to the new
creation God promises to quench all thirst without cost. The living water He
will use to quench come from the spring of life. This is an image of granting
salvation to the new creation.
He then addresses the overcomers,
bringing us back to Christ’s messages to the seven churches. Those who overcome
are people who
remain faithful in suffering and affliction, and stay true to the testimony of
Jesus. They will receive as their inheritance all of God’s promises. They will
participate in God’s new world. He will be their God and they will be His true
children. In view of the wonderful promise made, verse 8 becomes an indirect
appeal for people not to forfeit the promise. Through carelessness and
disobedience, the promises could be forfeited. Here John gave a catalogue of
vices that could preclude a person from the promises made. Not only that, they
could find themselves ending up in the lake of fire and brimstone which is the
second death. The list of vices include cowards,
the unbelieving and abominable, murderers, immoral persons, sorcerers, idolaters
and all liars. Could John be speaking to those who become weak, weary and cave
in to the persecution and participate in those vices? Here is his effort to
challenge the believers to stay true to receive the inheritance God has
promised. There is great danger for being disobedient and
faithless to Jesus. Whoever gives in does not belong to those whose names are
written in the book of Life. Hence they are fundamentally like God’s enemies, and
judgment awaits them.
As we read all these, we
get a sense of the whole new world opening up before us. Let’s not be
discouraged by the disorderliness of this present world, for out there a new
world awaits us! Let’s also be challenged to stay faithful and obedient! Let’s
live life with a renewed anticipation of the beckoning of the new world!
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