Revelation 21:1-8 Sermon Information
Title: “All Things New: Our Glorious Future”

Contextual note: Each verse in 21:1-8 reflects the fulfillment of a promise made in the Old Testament, proving God’s faithfulness to do exactly as he has promised, thus making him the One worthy of our trust and worship.

1. The New Heaven and New Earth (21:1-4; Isaiah 65:17-18)
a. The New Jerusalem appears like a beautiful bride (21:2; Isaiah 52:1; 61:10)
b. God fulfills his covenant promise to dwell with humanity (21:3; Leviticus 26:11-12; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 37:26-27; Zechariah 2:10-11; 8:8)
c. God heals every wound caused by sin (21:4; Isaiah 25:8; 51:11)
d. POINT: The old (all that belonged to a world broken by sin) has passed away and is no more.
2. All things are made new (21:5-8)
a. God declares that he is making all things new (21:5a)
b. John is commanded to write down God’s word (21:5b; see 1:11)
i. Divine authority
ii. Unchanging purpose
iii. Trustworthy promise
c. God’s redemptive and restorative work is done (21:6a; John 19:30)
i. God backs his promise with his very being
ii. He is the Alpha and Omega (see 1:8; 22:13)
iii. Our hope in God’s faithfulness rest solely on who he is (Lamentations 3:22-22; Timothy 2:13)
d. The thirsty are invited to drink freely (21:6b; Isaiah 55)
i. Represents ultimate satisfaction in God
ii. The only thing that qualifies those who receive is thirst (need)
iii. Q: What do you thirst for? Pay attention to your longings.
3. One of two endings for humanity (21:7-8; Matthew 25:1-46)
a. Those who conquer (endure to the end) inherit all that belongs to the Father and Son (21:7)
b. Those who do not are thrown into the lake of fire (21:8)

Main Idea:
God will do everything he has promised. Nothing matters except that you are in Christ. The reward for perseverance is beyond anything the human heart can imagine or long for and the consequence for rejecting Christ is beyond anything the human heart can dread.

Application:
Worship God now with joyful anticipation for what he will do when heaven and earth are made new.



Discussion Q’s:
1. How often do you think about this day when all is made new? How much substance does your hope have? (Is it vague and ambiguous, or does it have specificity?)
2. What new things do you get excited about? How long does their newness typically satisfy? Are you misplacing your hope in the incessant new and yet ever-tarnishing things of the world or are you preparing for the day when all will be made new with joy? Which does your life attest to?
3. How are your longings? What do you long for? Do you have anticipation for Christ’s return? What captivates you?
4. Read slowly through Revelation 21:4 again. Consider each point carefully and recall what things cause you sorrow in these areas. Again, work to be specific. Take hold of the promise that every one of these sorrows, committed by or against us, will one day pass away and God himself will comfort you with his eternal comfort, peace, and joy. Even in sorrow or remorse, rejoice now that he will make all things new!
5. What does it mean to conquer (verse 7)? How do we conquer? Are you abiding in Christ through faith, or are you tempted to abandon Christ?
6. What can you think of that you could possibly gain that compares to what is promised in these verses? Does anything hold too much of your attention or affection? Is it worth laying down in light of these promises?