Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” – Revelation 21:5
I have always loved celebrating the new year. It is a wonderful time where we consider the past year and look forward to the future. Likewise, for many it is an opportunity to let go of past mistakes and past failures and embrace a fresh start with a new beginning. However, some fear things that are new because with newness comes uncertainty and the unknown. Though some may not be as eager to embrace the new as others, the Bible reveals that new is actually a very good thing! In fact, God is the author of new. Thus, I would like to share with you some of the ways that God promises to make all things new.
God will create a new heaven and a new earth.
Revelation 21:1 states, “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.” This event is describing God redeeming and restoring the universe. Though some mistake the “new heaven” as the abode of God, it is more likely referring to the heavens above the earth (i.e., the sky and outer space). I believe this is the same event that Jesus refers to as the regeneration in Matthew 19. When man disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, sin entered the world. The curse of sin resulted in the physical and spiritual corruption of the planet. Now we observe wars, diseases, animal suffering, destructive storms, a scarcity of resources, and so much more. However, God promises to create a new and better world. In the new heaven and new earth, we are told that there will no longer be death, sorrow, crying, or pain. The new creation will be a paradise as beautiful as a bride on her wedding day. There may potentially even be new colors and new music. God will literally be bringing heaven down to the earth. Though many think heaven is just sitting on clouds all day, it is actually described as being both a physical and spiritual place. Like the Garden of Eden, God and man will both coexist in the same realm. The dying universe where we currently reside will be replaced by the City of God that will never pass away.
God will make His people spiritually and physically new.
2 Corinthians 5:17 states, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” If you have turned from your sins and trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you have become a new creation. That means that the old you no longer exists. The old you has passed away and has been crucified with Christ. Therefore, all your sin and shame are gone. You are a new creation with a new life, a new purpose, and a new identity. When you become a Christian, you become a masterpiece created by God. However, the new creation of this present age is but the pledge of more to come. The frustrating reality for many Christians is that they still have a proclivity toward sin. Though we love the Lord, sin is still a temptation for us. But when God makes all things new, we will be changed forever and be made morally perfect. Sin will no longer be a temptation and our spirit will rejoice in complete and total freedom. That being said, Christians will also receive new glorified bodies. When Jesus rose from the dead, He offered us a glimpse of what our glorified bodies would be like. He was able to walk through walls, talk and eat with people, and even teleport. I believe these are just a few of the new abilities that will come with being made new physically by God. However, the most exciting attribute of these bodies is that they cannot see corruption and will never die. Like Jesus, we will be physically resurrected and be made morally perfect.
God will bring forth a new relationship with His people.
Revelation 21:3 states, “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.” In the new heaven and new earth, God and His people will experience intimate communion with one another. This has been God’s plan and desire from the very beginning of creation. When God created Adam and Eve, He walked with them in the Garden. When God chose Israel as His people, He dwelt among them in the tabernacle and the temple. When Jesus came to the earth, He dwelt among us and befriended sinners. But at the end of the age, our relationship will be new and uniquely distinct. In this new relationship, we will see God face to face. Thus, we will have the honor and privilege to behold God in His full glory and majesty. This is something that the human mind cannot fully fathom nor comprehend. We will be in perfect fellowship with God and we will dwell with Him in peace and harmony forever.
God has promised to make all things new and that is incredibly good news! Let us rejoice knowing that the old is passing away and the new is coming!
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