First Things Have Passed Away

Revelation 21:1-4 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

All I can say is, "I can't wait!" "Amen! Even so, come Lord Jesus, come!" What a day that will be! Will we be ready? Are we ready now? Why? Well, because Jesus could return any day now. There is nothing left to be fulfilled for the Lord to return to take up His bride, the church. However, note something in these verses. Even though there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain, there will be a reason why the Lord is wiping away our tears. The Bible doesn't tell us the exact reason why. We can only guess and speculate. However, what if the tears are from the realization that we forfeited so many rewards because we loved the things of the world more than the things of God? What if our tears are for those who were left behind because we failed to share Christ each time the Lord presented us with the opportunity? We are told in God's Word that our works will be tested in order for God to determine our heavenly rewards, and even though some or many of our works will go up in smoke, we ourselves will still be saved (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). Nonetheless, we can rejoice today knowing that all the pain and suffering that we experience in this lifetime will pass away in the next; for God promised, "the first things have passed away." The only way anyone will experience this wonderful promise is if he/she has believed, repented, and called upon the Name of Jesus for eternal life. Only then are the promises of God certain in our lives, and only then do we have the wonderful hope of a life to come that is devoid of death, mourning, crying, or pain.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).