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Hope Beyond Tears: Finding Comfort In Revelation 21:4 Series
Contributed by Dean Courtier on Mar 30, 2024 (message contributor)
Summary: Today we turn our hearts to the comforting words found in Revelation 21:4, a promise of hope that sustains us in the midst of trials and tribulations.
Hope Beyond Tears: Finding Comfort in Revelation 21:4
Introduction:
Today we turn our hearts to the comforting words found in Revelation 21:4, a promise of hope that sustains us in the midst of trials and tribulations. In this passage, we glimpse the glorious future that awaits God's children, where pain and sorrow will be no more. As we delve into this scripture, let us open our hearts to receive the comforting truth of God's eternal promises.
Point 1: God's Promise of Comfort (Revelation 21:4)
"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." (Revelation 21:4, NLT)
In this verse, we encounter the profound promise of God to wipe away every tear from our eyes. This imagery speaks to the intimate care and compassion of our Heavenly Father, who tenderly comforts His children in their moments of deepest sorrow. The elimination of death, sorrow, crying, and pain signifies the complete restoration of all things in God's eternal kingdom. In this future reality, believers will experience uninterrupted joy and peace, free from the brokenness and suffering of this present world.
Revelation 21:4 forms part of the vision of the new heaven and new earth, depicting the culmination of God's redemptive plan. The imagery of God wiping away tears symbolises His compassionate response to human suffering and His ultimate victory over sin and death.
Point 2: Finding Strength in Suffering (Romans 8:18)
"Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later." (Romans 8:18, NLT)
Paul's words to the Romans remind us of the temporary nature of our present sufferings in light of the future glory that awaits us. While we may endure trials and tribulations in this life, they pale in comparison to the surpassing glory that will be revealed in God's kingdom. This perspective enables believers to find strength and endurance in the midst of suffering, knowing that our present trials are but a prelude to the eternal joy that awaits us in Christ.
Paul's affirmation of the future glory awaiting believers underscores the transformative power of hope in sustaining us through times of suffering and adversity. This theme resonates throughout scripture, emphasizing the eternal perspective that enables believers to persevere in faith.
Point 3: Living in Hope and Anticipation (1 Peter 1:3-4)
"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay." (1 Peter 1:3-4, NLT)
Peter's exhortation to the believers highlights the transformative impact of living in hope and anticipation of the future inheritance awaiting us in heaven. Through God's mercy and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, believers are born again into a living hope that sustains us amidst life's trials. This hope is anchored in the promise of an eternal inheritance, kept secure in heaven for all who place their trust in Christ. As we fix our eyes on this eternal reality, we are empowered to live with great expectation and confidence, knowing that our future is secure in Christ.
Peter's emphasis on the living hope and eternal inheritance reserved for believers serves as a source of encouragement and assurance, inspiring us to live with anticipation and confidence in God's promises.
Application and Call to Action:
As we reflect on the comforting truth of Revelation 21:4, let us anchor our hearts in the hope of God's eternal promises. May we find solace in His tender care and compassion, knowing that He will wipe away every tear from our eyes and usher us into a future free from pain and sorrow. In the midst of life's trials, let us draw strength from the assurance of our future glory in Christ, persevering in faith as we await the fulfilment of God's kingdom.
As we navigate the challenges of this present age, let us live with hopeful anticipation, fixing our eyes on the eternal inheritance that awaits us in heaven. May we be encouraged to press on in faith, knowing that our sufferings are temporary, but the glory that awaits us is eternal. Let us share the comforting truth of Revelation 21:4 with others, offering hope and encouragement to those who are weary and burdened.
May the promise of God's eternal comfort sustain us through every trial and tribulation, until the day when we will experience the fullness of His joy and peace in the glorious presence of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.