December 9
The New Heavens
and New Earth
Revelation 21:1, 4
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Daily Steps
The final hope and ultimate conclusion to The Final Virtues of the Believer is the glorious promise of the new heaven and new earth. This vision assures the new believer that God will completely and permanently abolish all the evil, suffering, and brokenness of the current world, establishing a perfect eternal reality (Day 343) where His people will dwell in everlasting comfort (Day 309).
The peace in this principle is found in ultimate restoration:
The Passing of the Old: The vision begins with finality: the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. This world, with its sin, sickness, and disorder (Day 290), is not the believer's final home. The reality of this passing world encourages us to fix our eyes on the eternal (Day 343).
The Promise of Newness: God creates a new heaven and a new earth—a realm of perfect order and complete holiness (Day 314). This is the culmination of our hope and expectation (Day 341) and the ultimate end of God's redemptive (Day 225) plan.
The End of Suffering: The ultimate comfort is physical and emotional: He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain. All the suffering and trials endured with steadfastness (Day 338) will be permanently reversed and remembered no more. This ultimate restoration is the foundation for our joy of the Lord (Day 339) even now.
Your peace is secured by ultimate restoration. Embrace Eternal Perspective and the End today by meditating on the promise of the new heaven and new earth. Let this glorious, pain-free future fuel your perseverance (Day 337) and motivate you to live for the eternal reward (Day 344) that awaits you.
Reflective Question
If there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain in the new earth, what is the heaviest burden of the "old order of things" that you are carrying today? How can you commit to casting that burden upon God, knowing its end is certain?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess my weariness with the brokenness, suffering, and pain of this world. I thank You for the certain promise: Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, where He will wipe every tear from their eyes. I pray for the grace to live with steadfastness today, knowing that this ultimate restoration is guaranteed. Secure my peace in the reality that the old order of things has passed away. Amen.
