Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 The Great Lent – All things made new

Revelation 21: 1 – 7

Vs.5 – Behold, I make all things new

The Book of Revelation places a strong demand on us humans. It is to live a life by refusing to conform to the expectations of the world unless those demands are compatible with Christ’s teaching. Understanding God’s word and letting it manifest in our lives requires us to be completely honest about ourselves. Chapter 21, verses 1 – 7 presents four major thoughts explaining the new world that will be established.

  1. Heaven – a tangible place: As Christians, our greatest hope is to be a part of heaven. Through the vision presented in Revelation, Chapter 21, the Bible presents heaven as a very tangible place. John of Patmos, the author of the book, sees a New Jerusalem descending from heaven on a new earth. This dispels the notion that our eternal home is “up in heaven” and iterates that heaven comes to earth.
  2. The God who is in our midst: Our God who was hidden behind the vault of heaven will be with us, living with us. Verse 3 emphasizes the all-consuming presence of God to dwell with his creation. The tabernacle of God – His dwelling place will now be on the new earth as the promise made to Abraham, that all nations would be blessed in him (Exodus 29:45)
  3. There will be no more sea: The sea of the old earth symbolizes evil, violence, and unrest, a raging, threatening and fearful place that the Lord had to calm. When John says that there will be no more sea in the new heaven and earth, he means that there will be nothing to harm or cause God’s people to fear. Verses 4 and 5 states that every tear will be wiped away from our eyes, the tear caused by pain, death, persecution, and other hardships.
  4. Make all things new: This is the climax of the Book of Revelation. God, as the Alpha and Omega is an expression of God’s sovereignty over all things. Verse 7 makes an affirmation that all these blessings are promised for those who overcome the world by faith.

Prayer
Father God, guide us with your Holy Spirit and strengthen our wills to live a life as the Book of Revelation calls us to live. In the precious name of Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen.

Thought for the Day
From beginning to the end, our God is with us.

Dr. Elizabeth Jacob
W/o Rev. Johnson P. Abraham
The Mar Thoma Church, Staten Island

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