By Rebecca Thackeray
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. 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. 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.” 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.”
Revelation 21:1-5 NLT
Do all good things come to an end?
Endings. When we know that something must come to an end, we can experience a mixture of emotions. Whether it is the end of a job, a contract we’ve been paying for, or even our favourite TV series or book, we all know that everything has an end, whether we try to avoid it or eagerly anticipate it.
I often prolong finishing things, whether intentionally or not; I don’t want to be disappointed with the final chapter or end scene. Yet, deep down, I long for a resolution, for all things to be made right, for there to be a happily ever after. Can you relate?
Nobody likes uncertainty about what will happen next. There is little worse than a story ending with a nail-biting cliffhanger that leaves the story unfinished or up to the audience's imagination.
Why do we seek these things? Is it the Disney movie endings that indoctrinate us from a young age? Or is it an escape from reality that reminds us daily of the pain, suffering, and heartache that may surround us?
After reading that God finally destroys darkness forever in Revelation 20, God graciously allowed the story to continue. Revelation 21 is a watercolour of an ever-sweet land where all things will be made new. Here, we, God’s bride, will meet Him face to face. There will be no pain, sorrow, regret, or discomfort, for ‘all these things are gone forever’.
Do all good things come to an end? No!
God, in his sovereign power, ends all bad, tragic and evil things as they have no place or power compared to Him. Instead, this glorious delight God has promised will be better than what our human imaginations can describe – the reality of being joined with our Father. Forever.
This Kingdom shall never fail, lack, grow bitter or fade away because He has promised that. His words are trustworthy and true – He will make all things new as we spend eternity enjoying all good things with our Creator.
This hope moves us to worship our glorious King. These words propel us to share the good news of this good Father making all things new through His Son. This reassurance compels us to live in the light of His Kingdom now, knowing that this good thing will never come to an end.
Ask: What does God promise in the kingdom?
Seek: What comes to mind when you read that God will soon wipe away your tears, removing all sorrow, pain and death?
Knock: Thank God that He makes all things new. Ask Him to restore hope and patient endurance until you see Him face to face.
