Key Verse: “Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:3-4 CSB)
Have you ever met someone who starts a book by reading the last chapter? I know a few people like that. Apparently, the rationale behind it is so that there are no surprises. They want to know how the story is going to end even before they begin reading.
Because we are privileged to have access to the Scriptures, we already know how our story is going to end. Jesus said to His disciples, “I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also” (John 14:3). The angel also told the disciples, “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven” (Acts 1:11).
This is part of the joy that comes from knowing Jesus. He is coming back! The trumpet will sound, and Jesus Christ will return in all His glory. He will make all things new, and those who have put their faith in Him for the forgiveness of sin will have the perfect joy of being in His glorious presence forever.
According to Revelation 21, “He will wipe away every tear” from our eyes. There will be no more death, grief or pain. All of it will be a permanent thing of the past. Think about how amazing that is. All of your health challenges, relational conflict, and the pain and wounds from your past will be gone. All things will be restored and renewed when Jesus Christ returns.
The Apostle Paul spoke of it this way: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). This is part of where we find joy in this life through faith in Jesus. Regardless of what happens in this life, no matter how painful or hard our circumstances become, we know how it’s all going to unfold. There is a future glory that is going to be revealed to us that is incomparable to anything we could ever imagine.
Are you walking through some difficult circumstances right now? Are you feeling the weight of life upon you? Rejoice, knowing today that your future is secure. Jesus is coming back! You know how the story will end.
Prayer: Jesus, I thank you for the certain hope that I have in you. No matter what happens, you are coming back to make all things right and new. Fill me with joy today through the Holy Spirit as I set my mind on what is to come rather than what’s happening now. Amen.
Author: Jonathan Miller has served in pastoral roles for more than 13 years in churches in Barrie, Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Prison Fellowship Canada, a ministry that mobilizes and equips local churches to engage in the restorative work of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims across Canada. Jon holds degrees from McMaster University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Adrienne have been married since 2004, and live in Burlington, Ontario with their 4 children. Jon’s greatest passion is to know Jesus and to see lives transformed by Him and for Him.
