Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. Revelation 21:1-2
This week, we are discussing Heaven, the hope that followers of Christ hold onto, where we will spend an eternity with Christ one day. To understand Heaven, we must first turn to the book of Genesis and read about the Garden of Eden. Genesis 2 tells us that God "planted a garden in Eden" where Adam and Eve, the first people created, could live (verse 8). Eden, Scripture tells us, was amazing. It was filled with beautiful trees and delicious fruit (verse 9). It was, in a word, paradise. God created the absolute perfect place for humanity to live. Everything changed when Adam and Eve brought sin into the world, and they were kicked out of the garden as a result. Praise God, however, that this is not the end of the story. You see, one day God will provide a new place for humanity to live and restore everything that was lost in the Garden of Eden.
In the book of Revelation, God gave John a vision of what will happen when Jesus returns and brings His people to be with Him forever. In this vision, John wrote, “I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband” (verses 1-2). This new Jerusalem will be perfect. It will be a new, restored Eden. Throughout our Bible study this week, we will discuss the remarkable observations that John made as he saw in a vision from God what life will be like in this new Jerusalem, this new and better Eden. As he observed all these things, John wrote that "the one sitting on the throne," that is Jesus, "said, 'Look; I am making everything new!'" (verse 5). What a promise we have to claim. One day, if we have placed our faith in Christ, God will make everything new.
As John saw this vision, Jesus also said to him, "Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true" (verse 5). My friend, one day, Jesus is going to restore everything that was lost in the Garden of Eden. The words in Revelation 21 are trustworthy and true. You can hold on to them. May we look forward to that day with confident, expectant anticipation!
As you read through the Scripture from your reading today, write down all of the things that Scripture reveals about the "new Jerusalem," where those who place their faith in God will dwell. When you are finished, read over your completed list. Write a prayer of thanksgiving for the hope we have of eternity with Him one day, where God will restore everything that was lost in Eden.
Revelation 21:1-7
1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 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.”
5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 6 And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.
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