All Things New

All Things New

Revelation 21:1-7 

Intro: A new (to me) car.

This morning, we are going to study Revelation 21. This chapter in the book of Revelation shows us what happens after the great tribulation, after the
1,000-year millennium and after the destruction of Satan, the antichrist and the false prophet.

The last two chapters of Revelation show us a new perspective, a new earth, heaven and Jerusalem. This new perspective, this new picture, is that of eternity.
All things become new and the reality of this newness in our physical world is realized as God’s people head into eternity.

Read: Revelation 21:1-7

After seeing the final defeat of Satan, and the great white throne of judgement, John, the writer of Revelation, sees a new heaven and a new earth. The
new heaven and new earth are for God’s people. Those who have chosen Him. As the picture unfolds, we understand more clearly what is important in our
lives in order to prepare for eternity. There is an inheritance for all who overcome in Christ, all things become new.

I. Live According to the Promise

• Speaking from His throne, the Lord makes it clear in verse 7 that “he who overcomes will inherit these things.”
  
• The things that they who overcome will inherit are the things of eternity. Shown here, we catch a glimpse of eternity: the new earth, new heaven and
  new Jerusalem.
  
• There is an inheritance in store for the one who overcomes. We know that we overcome by and through Jesus. Living according to God’s promise comes
  with the anticipation of eternal life.
  

2 Peter 3:10-13, But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt with heat. But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

• We understand from scripture that there will be a new heaven, a new earth and a new Jerusalem.
  
• In keeping with His promise of eternal life, we look forward to the new heaven and the new earth, where righteousness dwells.
  
• This is coming after the final victory over sin. The Lord will make all things new. 

A. Old things will pass away

• Our understanding of the new heavens, the new earth and the new Jerusalem are important.         

Revelation 20:11, The earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them.

• The new heaven and new earth is a familiar theme in scripture:
  
  • See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. (Is. 65:17)
    
  • Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. (Luke 21:33)
    
• There will be a new heaven – The Bible uses the word heaven in three senses: The first heaven (Ps. 104:12)
  is the earth’s atmosphere, the “blue sky.” The second heaven (Is. 13:10) is outer space, or the “night sky.” The third heaven (Rev. 11:19) is the place where God lives in glory.
  
  • When the scriptures speak of a new heaven, they mean the new “blue sky” and a new “night sky,” not a new heaven where God dwells. 
    
• There will be a new earth – This is a new earth, new in character, ‘fresh.’ It doesn’t mean recent or new in time. It’s not just the
  next earth, rather, it is a better earth. The way we know earth today, will be different in eternity. There is a genuine physical transformation:
  there is no longer any sea. This is also where we will live for eternity. The new earth is the “heaven” on which we will spend eternity. 
  
• There will be a new Jerusalem mad ready as a bride – John watches as this gigantic city, 1,400 miles square, with
  200-foot-high walls, descend on to the new earth. Made of pure gold, it is decorated with beautiful gems. Its gates open in each direction. At
  the center of the city is God who illuminates, and the lamp is the lamb. From his throne, a crystal-clear river of life flowing. At the river bank,
  the tree of life, producing twelve different kinds of fruit for healing of the nations. Nothing unclean will ever enter into the city, God reigns.
  (Rev. 21:27) 
  

Illus. VRBO.

2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away, new things have come.

• Old things will pass away, this is not just spiritual and moral change, but physical as the earth will be changed.
  
• To begin to catch a glimpse of what eternal life is life this side of heaven, see yourself as a new creation.
  
• The things that we value today, they will be changed. The Lord created the earth and all that is in it, I imagine what he has in store will be beyond
  compare. 
  

B. Be glad and rejoice

Isaiah 65:17-19, See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy.

• In Verse 3, we understand that God himself will be among His people.
  
• This holy city, is the new Jerusalem: It is the Jerusalem of hope (Hebrews 12:22), the Jerusalem above (Galatians 4:26), the place of our real citizenship
  (Philippians 3:20).
  
• God dwelling with His people reveals an incredible restoration of what was lost in the fall.
  
• It is a new communion. Today, we have communion and we partake of the bread and drink of the cup. We have the opportunity to remember, and long for
  close communion with our Lord.
  
• Paul said it accurately, “For now, we see in a mirror dimly” (1 Cor. 13:12). What is not known today, will be made known.
  
• In the new Jerusalem, we will all see the visible glory of God. It won’t be blurred any longer, or in any way. We will all be in His presence, all
  that He is will be made known (1 John 3:2). 

II. Long for What God Has in Store 

• God’s dwelling place will be among the people; every tear will be wiped away, no more death, no more mourning, or crying, or pain, the first things,
  scripture declares, have passed away (Vs. 4).
  
• All that has caused sadness and suffering will be taken away. God himself will wipe away the tears, and they will never return.
  
• He has written the final chapter. It is filled with eternal joy for those who love Him. The place God is preparing is more wonderful than we can even
  imagine.  

Isaiah 65:17, The former things will not be remembered.

• The things that cause pain and tears on earth today will not come to mind. They will not be remembered. 

Matthew 11:28,30, Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

Illus. Letting go and finding rest.

• Whatever you are facing today, know that you can take courage in the promise of eternal life. That every tear will be wiped away.  

A. He makes all things new

• Verse 5, And the Lord, who sits on the throne declares, “Behold, I am making all things new.”
  
• The word here is active, “making” all things new. Essentially, things have been made new and will remain new.
  
• He follows up by saying, “it is done.”

Illus. The picture, of a carpenter after the job is completed. Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you.”

• This statement, “I am making everything new,” is the consummation of God’s work of renewal and redemption.
  

2 Corinthians 4:16, Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

• As John, who is writing this book, continues to write and describe what he sees and hears, our understanding of the message being sent is critical. 
  
• It was important to John, it was important to the 7 churches in their day, and it is equally important to us today…We have eternity to look
  forward to!
  

Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroy, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

• In the city, there will be streets of gold (Rev. 21:21).
  
• We need to hold the things of earth loosely and put the greatest value on that which will remain. This is how we store up treasures in heaven.
  

Revelation 21:7 He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.

B. Overcome today

• God’s plan for redemption will be inherited by those who overcome.
  
• We have overcome death through Christ, as overcomers through Christ, we inherit eternity with the Lord. 

Philippians 3:14, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Illus. Why not start today?

• God will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. This water symbolizes eternal life.
  
• This also indicates the heart of God, that He will give to the one who thirsts, freely, without cost.
  

John 7:37-38, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in the Me, as the scriptures said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”

• God’s offer? To anyone who thirsts. 

Revelation 21:1-7    NASB