No More

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How will it all end?

Urgh!  Life can be so hard at times.  Whether you’re a pessimist who always tends to see the negative aspects of a situation or an optimist who likes to look on the bright side, there will be times when the difficulties of life get you down.

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. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling-place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 “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.’

5 He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’

Revelation 21

Mourning is a normal part of life – good things end, sad things happen, people die.  Pain is unavoidable – disaster strikes, people get sick or hurt one another.  Even the greatest optimist cannot deny the real tragedies of life and it would be callous to remain aloof and not let them affect us.  Suffering is inescapable.

But not forever.  One day the old order will pass away, and God will make everything new.  He will come to be with His people and when this almighty and ever-loving God comes to live with His people, He will have a profound effect. 

Like a loving parent swooping into the playground to pick up the fallen child, God comes to comfort.  And this comfort is not a mere ‘there, there, dear’ so that the game can continue.  The comfort God brings is deep, complete and perfect.  He wipes away every tear – because He deals with the source of that pain.

From the rebellion of our first parents, death has been the inevitable end of every human life – but no more.  No matter how many people have filled the planet, they have all died – but no more.  However much a person or civilisation has achieved, it has all faded – but no more.

Forever, there will be a new order.  God’s presence guarantees that there will be no more sin and therefore no more of the terrible consequences of sin.  God is preparing a marvellous, pure and perfect new creation.

Can you imagine how wonderful this will be?

Putting it into Practice

  1. Are you finding things hard?  Is the suffering of life dragging you into discouragement and frustration?  Hold to this promise.  Yes, it may be desperately hard now, but it won’t last.  Yes, our suffering might be real and extensive, but it will come to an end.  Remind yourself of the destiny that God is preparing.
  2. What do you long for?  What fills your daydreams?  Chances are, you’re probably dreaming too small.  We might long to be rich, or beautiful or comfortable.  But we rarely dare wish for everything bad to disappear.  Let God’s promise of a perfect world fill your dreams and excite your heart.