The New Creation

The New Creation

Revelation 21:1-7, 22-27-22:1-5

I recently ran across a cartoon that pictured three churches, all of different denominations, standing side by side with a thought bubble above each building saying: “Finding time for all our prayers is difficult when we have to practice active-shooter drills.”

We live in a world wracked by violence and animosity, where places of worship, schools, and other gathering places have become sites of mass shootings driven by hatred and bigotry.

The situation has become so common that once the shock wears off, many of us shrug and move on.

John’s vision of the New Creation has no Temple—we are told in Chapter 21:22, because “The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.”

This shows us a future reality where every place is a place of worship, and there is no longer any violence nor any hatred to interrupt.

Imagine if we were to live into that reality right now, if having seen the vision of future worship we remain steadfast in prayer and stand against the threat of violence not with beefed up security and displays of worldly power, but bravely with a bold witness to the Lamb’s way of peace.

Think about it, in Luke Chapter 19, when King Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and the Pharisees tried to silence the exuberant crowd Jesus replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Even the rocks will praise God when the New Heaven and the New Earth come down!

That is the power of the sovereign God, Creator of Heaven and Earth and all that is in it.

In Romans Chapter 8 Paul writes: “The whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth” for the coming of the New World.

Imagine the future, when we will sing together in solidarity with the rocks, the trees, and every created thing: “Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain to receive honor glory power, and strength forever and ever. Amen!”

(pause)

He was just a little fellow.

His mother died when he was just a child.

His father, in trying to be both mommy and daddy, had planned a picnic.

The little boy had never been on a picnic, so they made their plans, fixed the lunch, and packed the car.

Then it was time to go to bed because the picnic was the next day.

The little by just couldn’t sleep.

He tossed and turned but the excitement got to him.

Finally, he got out of bed, ran into the room where his father had already fallen asleep and shook him.

His father woke up and saw his son.

He said to him, “What are you doing up?

What’s the matter?”

The boy said, “I can’t sleep.”

The father asked, “Why can’t you sleep?”

In answering, the boy said, “Daddy, I’m excited about tomorrow.”

His father replied, “Well, son I’m sure you are and it’s going to be a great day, but it won’t be great if you don’t get some sleep.

So why don’t you run down the hall, get back in bed, and get a good night’s rest.”

So, the boy trudged off down the hall to his room and got in bed.

It wasn’t long, though, before the boy was back pushing and nudging his father.

The father asked, “What’s the matter now?”

The boy said, “Daddy, I just want to thank you for tomorrow.”

Revelation gives us reason and opportunity to thank God for “tomorrow” or “what is to come,” and to especially thank God for our place in God’s kingdom which comes to us as a free gift through faith in the life, death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

As the Church of Christ, we will be the New Jerusalem, “coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.”

God will live with us and He will wipe away every tear from our eyes.

There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order to things,” will have passed away.

Think about it, we the Church are to be the Bride of Christ.

We will literally be ONE with Christ forever.

Christ is the victorious one.

He has won the victory over sin and death, and because of Him so have we.

And so, knowing this ought to re-orient our entire view of things.

You and I and all who believe are part of Christ’s victorious Church!

And as Christ’s victorious Church which He loves and purchased with His own blood, what have we to fear?

Fear has to do with punishment.

But we are saved, washed clean and engaged to the One through Whom and for Whom all things were made.

Let’s start living like it, right now as we await the return of our Savior.