Funeral message – No More Revelation 21:1 – 7
One of the great passages of hope.
God has given John the regulator a vision of heaven.
Many of us have formed a visual picture based on John’s revelation from God.
The size and beauty are beyond our wildest imagination – unimaginable.
The promise of an eternal home (mansions as Jesus described in John 14:1 – 3) in the presence of God – overwhelming.
The vision of the throne room and all of its splendor and majesty, worshiping with angels – amazing.
To see the Lord Christ Jesus and all of his glory and honor as Savior of man – unspeakable.
The fall at his feet in gratitude for his sacrifice – incredible.
To see the sites of old, from Abraham, David, Peter, Paul, etc. and our loved ones who have gone on before – wonderful.
Perhaps just as encouraging as all those benefits is a word right here in this text.
Not on what will be there but what will not!
“There will be no more __________ .”
God revealed to John the peace that will be in heaven.
1. No tears – “God wipes away all tears”.
There’s nothing left to shed a tear for.
No tears for calamity, sin and its consequences, or sad memories.
All wiped away by the loving hand of God.
2. No death.
The sting of death has been eradicated and defeated.
Facing death is perhaps the hardest part of living – the fear of the unknown and undone.
The reality of our own mortality.
The void left behind by loved ones who are missed.
3. No sorrow.
The despair in her that comes with disappointment and discouragement.
4. No crying.
The distress and anguish of negative emotions.
5. No pain.
The agony and discomfort of physical ailment and inability.
(4) “For the former things have passed away.”
All of these are associated with the fall of man and results of man’s sin against God.
With all of these things eliminated it will indeed be glorious and great.
(5) “Behold, I make all things new.”
(6) “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.”
God has the power and the authority to create perfectly and to preserve permanently.
In the purity and wonder of God’s heaven there will not even be a trace of sin or its consequences.
God also reveals to John the new heaven and new earth.
1. No shrines (22) (temple)
Nothing secular – no religious rights to perform (sacrifice).
The presence of God’s everlasting and God will inhabit forever.
2. No substitutes (23) (heavens)
No need for moon, stars, or sun.
The Son of God is the light and it never hides.
(Isaiah 60:19) “no more night.”
3. No secrets (25) (earth)
There will be a new earth.
No more mysteries left to be explained or questions to be answered.
Where did we come from? – How did we get here? – Is there life after death?
4. No sinners (27) (man)
Only the saved/regenerate saint.
Glorified people worshiping the glorified.
All of this on the promise of God by the power of God for the people of God.
(7) “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be my son.”
God’s people are over commerce in every sense.
We will become heirs with Christ to all that God has promised.
Kings with the King of Kings.
These promises however only benefits of those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior.
It will be a beautiful and wonderful place as well as a place of peace and perfect fellowship with God.
What began in Genesis is brought to completion in Revelation.
What began in you as a believer will also be completed in that day.
(Philippians 1:6) “Being confident of this very thing, that he who has began a good working you will completed until the day of Jesus Christ.”
As believers we have the hope and promise of heaven.
There will be a reunion day with those who have gone on before.
Fully restored and fellowship with our God and with our loved ones, “What a day that will be”.
