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. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 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. 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.” 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.” Revelation 21:1-5 NLT
Our King is taking us to a Kingdom where everything broken will finally be made whole. Revelation’s picture shows us God dwelling with His people. Death, mourning, crying, and pain are all gone. All things are made new. Notice that God doesn't say, "I will explain everything." He says, "I am making all things new." Un-understandable things will suddenly make sense. Things that were unfixable will be restored. Tears that would never dry will be gone forever. Our King is taking us to an entirely new season.
My niece died suddenly this summer. She had just told me that she felt God had assured her she was standing in a hallway leading to a new season in her life and God would soon open the door. She thought it was a new season in her earthly life. The door did open—but to something far greater than she could have imagined.
We spend much of our lives standing in hallways. We wait. We wonder. We hope. We don't always know what is on the other side of the door. But if Jesus is our King, we know something about where the story is going. We are going Home. We are not simply heading to an ending. We are going to a Kingdom. A restored creation. The presence of God. Now. And forever.
Our world says, "Everything eventually falls apart." Jesus says, "I am making everything new." Our world says, "Death wins." Jesus says, "Death will be no more." Our world says, "This is the end." Jesus says, “I am the beginning and the end." This is the confidence of the Christian.
Maybe you're in a hallway today, waiting for an answer. Maybe you're walking through grief.
Maybe you're facing a future you never expected. Maybe you don't understand what your King is doing. But you can trust your King. When He opens the door, you will see that His plans are better than anything you could have imagined. He has made all things new.
- My King is good. My King is trustworthy. My King is leading me home. King Jesus, help me follow faithfully, knowing Your goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will be home with You forever.