Shall and Will

702. "Shall and Will"      February 28, 2013
Revelation 21-Part 25
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. Revelation 21:1 KJV


LET IT GLOW

Who doesn't like new things? New clothes are exciting to wear, but I don't particularly like to break in new shoes. Last year I painted the doors and door facings a bright pink, then bought hot pink curtains to match in our computer room/playroom. (Of course, the decor had to be pink, also.) So it is like having a new room.

John is seeing some new things in this chapter. He sees a new heaven, a new earth, and a new Jerusalem. He got a preview before anyone else. This present fallen universe will be done away with, replaced. Instead of living in a sin-twisted, broken down, and bruised world, we who know and love Jesus Christ will have a new place to live, forever. We read about this happening in 2 Peter 3, Psalm 102:25-26, Luke 21:33, Isaiah 65:17, 66:22. There will be no seas, which will make for a different climatic condition. Does it mean that there will be no rain, no snow, no storms, since the seas evaporate to form them?

New, kainos in Greek, means different from the usual, impressive, better than the old, superior in value or attraction, according to Theological Dictionary of the New Testament.

In 20:11, John watched as the earth and heaven fled away, along with the associated contaminations of sin. The new ones, created by a perfect God who does perfect work, these will be perfect places existing in a perfect environment. John described the new city in terms of a bride adorned for her husband.  Do you think it will be pure, radiant, lovely, elegant, and stunning?

Does the new Jerusalem already exist, since it will "come down out of heaven?" According to John 14:1-3, this is the city where the saints will live. All the saints (bride) will live with Christ (groom) in the Father's house, as was the tradition of the Jews.
I can't imagine how wonderful it will be.

What are some things that will be missing from the new heaven and new earth? There will be no more:

• sea (v.1)
• tears (v.4)
• death (v.4)
• mourning (v.4)
• crying (v.4)
• pain (v.4)
• thirst (v.6)
• wickedness (v.8,27)
• temple (v.22)
• night (v.23-25)
• closed gates (v.25)
• curse (22:3).

LET IT GROW

Shall means (first person) expressing the future: am or are going to or sure to; (second or third person ) must. Will means expressing the future: am, is, are, etc. about to, sure to, determined to, etc.; expressing desire, wish, want; is able to, can.

God tells us that He shall/will do these in verses 1-8:

• dwell with men
• be with his people
• be their God
• wipe away all tears from their eyes
• take away death, sorrow, crying, and pain
• make all things new
• give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost (NAS)
• give an inheritance of all things to the overcomer and be his God.

Is there anything more that we could want? Friend, will you be there with me to enjoy all of this? The only way is through faith in Jesus, confessing sins, and asking Him to be your Savior.

LET IT GO

Hold things loosely so I can let go of them when God requires them.

Get ready for a new earth.

Prepare for a new heaven.

Tell others about Jesus and His ssalvation so they can be with me.