Revelation 21 Devotional

Home with God at Last

“And the One seated on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Then He said, “Write this down, for these words are faithful and true.””Revelation 21:5 (BSB)

Revelation 21 brings the whole story of Scripture home. John sees a new heaven and a new earth, and the holy city coming down from God, dressed as a bride (21:1-2). A voice from the throne announces the heart of it all. God's dwelling is now with people, and he will live among them as their God (21:3). Death, mourning, crying, and pain will be gone, because the old order has passed away (21:4).

The city is described in dazzling terms: gold like clear glass, gates of pearl, foundations of precious stone (21:18-21). But the most important detail is what it lacks. There is no temple, because God Almighty and the Lamb are themselves its temple, and it needs no sun, because God's glory gives it light (21:22-23). The one on the throne makes all things new (21:5), and he gives the water of life freely, from its spring, to anyone who is thirsty (21:6). The future he offers is a gift, not a reward, and its greatest treasure is God himself.

To think about: Which part of God's promise to make all things new do you most need to hold onto today?