Read Revelation 21
Highlights:
A new heaven and a new earth. . . . all things new (Rev. 21:1-5). End of pain, sorrow, and death (21:4; 22:3). Do you know The Lamb? We will see His face (22:4). The Lamb and God are the Temple and the Light (21:22-23,25). Who can enter (21:27; 22:14)? The River of Life, the Tree of Life (22:1-2,14). Jesus is coming soon (22:20)!
Two thousand years ago God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). "To believe in Him" is much more than mentally believing the historical fact that Jesus died on the cross to save sinners. "To believe" means that I trust my eternal destiny to Him as Savior and Lord of my life. Jesus said: He that hath My Commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him (John 14:21).
There shall in no wise enter into it (the holy city, new Jerusalem) any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination (detestable sins), or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's Book of Life (Rev. 21:27) will be there.
The greatest story ever told is the story of our salvation! God transferred your sins to Christ, and on the cross Jesus Christ died for you. The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all (Is. 53:6); but that wonderful transfer takes place only when we ask for and receive it by faith (Eph. 2:8).
The Lord has given us hope about what lies beyond the grave. We look forward to the day when all true followers of Christ will dwell in a new heaven and a new earth. It is thrilling to anticipate being in the very presence of our glorious Lord and to read: I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people (Rev. 21:1-3).
Oh! the joy that awaits us in its full realization. Praise the Lord! We soon will be welcomed home by our wonderful Lord! We close this glorious revelation of Jesus Christ, having completed the reading of the entire Bible: And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely (Rev. 22:17).
Thought for Today:
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth (Luke 15:10).
Cross References:
For Rev. 21:4: See Is. 25:8. Rev. 21:23: See Is. 60:19. Rev. 21:25: See Is. 60:11. Rev. 21:27: See Is. 52:1. Rev. 22:2: See Ezek. 47:12; Gen. 2:9. Rev. 22:3: See Zech. 14:11. Rev. 22:12: See Is. 40:10. Rev. 22:13: See Is. 44:6; 48:12. Rev. 22:16: See Is. 11:1. Rev. 22:18-19: See Deut. 12:32.
Word Studies:
21:9 The bride, the Lamb's wife the Church, the Lord Jesus' Church; 21:16 twelve thousand furlongs 1500 miles; 21:23 lighten it illuminate it; 22:7 prophecy foretelling, forth telling, teaching; 22:16 angel to testify messenger to bear witness.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Dr. John A. Hash • Government Officials: Rep. Jeff Flake (AZ), Rep. Harold Rogers (KY), and Rep. Heath Shuler (NC) • Country: Nicaragua (5 million) in Central America • Major languages: Spanish and English • Limited religious freedom • 95% Roman Catholic; 5% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Seek the Lord when in despair; He is your deliverer (Jon. 2:5-6).
Memory Verse for the Week: John 14:6