The End of the Story

 

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and she will be my son.” (Revelation 21:1-7 ESV).

 

There is one more scene we should see in Revelation before we close our reflections in this incredible vision. We need to see how God’s great story in Revelation ends. Our reading today blesses us with the sights and sounds of “a new heaven and a new earth.” I have never been one to skip ahead to the “end of the story” in a book. I know there are many who do feel the need to know how the story will end before they can decide if it’s really worth the time to read it. If you’re one of those folks or not, I can say without reservation, that this story is worth reading. Actually it is more than that. It is worth living! John says, “There shall be no more pain!” (v. 4).

 

I am actually left speechless when I dwell on this truth. And, that is how it ought to be. We ought to be struck with awe and joy in the ending of this life in favor of one without the trials and pain so often experienced. Faith needs to know how the story ends. Faith needs to be assured of the ending, especially when it can be hard to see God. Perhaps you are in such a place today. In a real way, we all are in this place. In fact, the whole creation is crying out as it waits for its full redemption (cf. Romans 8:18-22). We hunger and thirst for justice. We long for the day when God’s holy name will be fully honored. We pray for the day when there will be no more pain, and when people of every nation and language will hold each other up with love and dignity. We look forward to the day when sin is gone for good and the creation is cared for as the beautiful garden of God’s delight. That day is coming! Rejoice!