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Happily Ever After

Big Question: What should we know about the end of the story?
Main Scripture: Revelation 21:1-9

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. 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. —Revelation 21:1-2

The last two chapters of Revelation are dripping with allusion after allusion to the first two chapters of the Bible. We read about “The tree of life,” “The river,” “No longer will there be any curse (on the earth),” “We will reign (or rule) for ever and ever.” John is saying that the future is the return to the past. It’s the return to Eden. It’s a Garden-like city called New Jerusalem with walls and gates and streets and dwellings and art and architecture and food and drink and music and culture. Why is that? Because the Garden was never supposed to stay a garden; it was always supposed to become a garden city.” —John Mark Comer

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.” ^5a And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” —Revelation 21:3-5a

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. ⁸ “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” ⁹ Then one of the seven angels who held the seven bowls containing the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come with me! I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” —Revelation 21:5b-9

You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. —James 2:19

Because I know the end of the story, it should change the way I live my story.