Revelation 21 reminds me of the home makeover shows that are so popular today. We watch as two attractive people talk about how they will remake a beat-up old house. After a few scenes of pulling down dingy wallpaper, the home is transformed into a thing of beauty in only 60 minutes. I often wonder just how perfect everything is behind the fresh paint. Today’s lesson is about making things new. John begins: “Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth”. This is not a remodel, but something entirely different. John adds that “the first heaven and the first earth had passed away”. It is beyond anything we can imagine. John notes that “there was no longer any sea.” All separations and divisions will be gone. Next John sees “the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God… as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” It is created for eternity. “God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them.” We will have perfect fellowship with God at last, in our resurrection bodies, in a world without temptation. Love must be a choice. Evil and good are made clear when viewed side-by-side. The overwhelming experience in eternity will be gratitude, knowing what God has done. John adds: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” We will apparently remember the old days. But John repeats God’s promise: “I am making everything new!”
The biggest problem with home maintenance is that it never ends. Every refresh reveals another imperfection nearby. From His throne, God says: “It is done.” No more wear, no decay, no hardware stores. The last words spoken by Jesus on the cross were “It is finished.” (John 19:30). His purpose on earth was completed. The penalty for our sin was righteously paid by the sinless Savior. All who believe can now receive the gift of salvation. God continues: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.” We worry and fret about so many things, but our priorities will not be the same in eternity. “To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.” Water is a symbol of life. Eternal life is free. Jesus said that “everyone who believes may have eternal life in Him.” (John 3:15). God’s proclamation continues: “I will be their God and they will be My children.” He adds a promise to those who reject the gift and choose to continue in their sin: “They will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
The rest of the chapter describes the big reveal. This new Jerusalem has been designed by the Creator and built to perfection. Far from bland or colorless, John sees endless beauty. “It shone with the glory of God… Its brilliance was like a very precious jewel.” This is not a Gentile Jerusalem. It is the eternal home of His people: “It had a great, high wall with twelve gates… On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.” Unlike the old city, this one includes those who inherited their citizenship by faith: “The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles.” John is given “a measuring rod of gold to measure the city.” He gives us the dimensions and description of the building material which includes ever color of precious stone, plus gold and pearl. There was no temple: “because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” “There will be no night there… for the glory of God gives it light”. John concludes: “Nothing impure will ever enter… only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Friend, you can have a new life with no sweat equity required. Call on the name of Jesus, His work is guaranteed: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13).