Mission Accomplished

Read Revelation 21:1–22:21

1. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone.
2. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
3. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.
4. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
5. And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.”
6. And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 21:1-6

There are not too many things in this world that feel better than reaping the fruits of your long, hard labor. For parents, their labor is rewarded when their children grow up and become good, productive members of society. For college students, this is receiving a diploma on graduation day. For sports teams, this is winning the championship.

One day our labor to believe in and follow Christ will also come to fruition. In this reading, John describes the reward God will give his followers for their faithfulness. He will take us to our heavenly home—the new Jerusalem. Living here for eternity will be worth every sacrifice made, every prayer offered, every trial endured, and every persecution suffered. As you read, rejoice in Christ’s victory and determine to remain faithful to him.

At the end of history, God will destroy the old heaven and earth and create new and perfect ones. Those who died in their sins will be cast into the “fiery lake of burning sulfur,” separated from God forever (Revelation 21:8). In sharp contrast, those who have been covered with Christ’s blood will enter God’s Holy City to live with him in eternal joy. Inside that city the people will hear Jesus say, “[God] will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever” (Revelation 21:4). Actually, the end of history is also a beginning—the beginning of God’s perfect world.

Everyone longs for a perfect world, one that is without suffering, death, or sadness. In this perfect world, we also long for fulfilling love and justice. All of this seems like an impossible fantasy. But here it is—God’s promised future for all who love him.