As we celebrate a new year, we often focus on the new beginnings that it offers. 2018 has come to a close and we have begun a fresh in 2019. This provides many practical opportunities for us like new budgets, annual reviews, new calendars and more. The newness of this year leads me to think about the new heaven and new earth to come:
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
— Revelation 21:1-8
Believers have a future hope that sorrow, pain and suffering will be no more. Sin will be destroyed forever. We will be with Christ, fully satisfied in every way and fulfilling our created purpose to glorify the God of the universe. We can look forward to newness that God has in store. A New Years celebration is the dimmest reflection of what's to come.
As we begin fresh in 2019, let's praise the one while will make all things new. Our savior will dwell with us like we see in Genesis 1-2. We will have fullness of joy overflowing with him. Praise God for what he will do! Praise God for who he is!
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