Our New Home
By Rev. Ron Purkey
Guest Columnist
Read Revelation 21:1-9
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
The eternal city of God (heaven) is compared to a beautiful bride (Revelation 21:9), because it is the eternal home for God’s beloved people. God’s statements recorded in Revelation 21:5-6 aptly summarize the final two chapters of the Bible: “Behold, I make all things new. … It is done.” We call this “heaven.”
First, there will be a new heaven. (Revelation 21:1)
Second, there will be a new earth. (Revelation 21:1)
Third, there will be a new Jerusalem. (Revelation 21:2)
Fourth, God will be there. (Revelation 21:3)
Fifth, God’s people will be there. (Revelation 21:3)
Sixth, God’s promises will be there. (Revelation 21:4)
Seventh, God’s power will be there. (Revelation 21:5)
Eighth, God’s speaker will be revealed. (Revelation 21:6)
Ninth, God’s supply will be given. (Revelation 21:6)
Tenth, God’s requirements will be disclosed. (Revelation 21:7)
Eleventh, God’s children will be rewarded. (Revelation 21:7)
Twelfth, God’s enemies will be missing. (Revelation 21:8-9)
What will heaven be like? An unknown author once said, “As a boy, I thought of heaven as a city with domes, spires and beautiful streets, inhabited by angels. By and by my little brother died, and I thought of heaven much as before, but with one inhabitant that I knew.
“Then another died, and then some of my acquaintances, so in time I began to think of heaven as containing several people that I knew. But it was not until one of my own little children died that I began to think I had treasure in heaven myself.
“Afterward another went, and yet another. By that time I had so many acquaintances and children in heaven that I no more thought of it as a city merely with streets of gold but as a place full of inhabitants.
“Now there are so many loved ones there I sometimes think I know more people in heaven than I do on earth.”
For those who believe in Jesus Christ, the future means “all things new” (Revelation 21:5); but for those who reject him, it means the same old sins for all eternity (Revelation 21:8, 27; 22:11, 15).
The Apostle John envisioned a new heaven in which the Lord will wipe away every tear of those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ. Their new home will be his heavenly kingdom.
As God’s faithful children, we will enjoy all the blessings of heaven — an inheritance the Lord has promised to everyone who has placed their faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.
Have you made your peace with God? Today is the day of salvation. You might not have a “tomorrow.”
Read Ron Purkey’s Bible study outlines at rcpbibleoutlines.com free on the website. Purkey has been an ordained Baptist minister for 50 years.