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Revelation 21:4 - A Glimpse of Heaven.Revelation 21:4 (NLT) "He [God] 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."INTRODUCTION Have you ever wondered what eternity will be like? The "holy city, the new Jerusalem" (21: 2) will be the place where God will "wipe every tear from their eyes." Forevermore, there will be no death, sorrow, crying, or pain. What a wonderful truth! No matter what you are going through now, it's not the last word - God has written the final chapter, and it is about true fulfillment and eternal joy for those who love him. We do not know as much as we would like, but we know enough to believe that eternity with God will be more wonderful than we could ever imagine. [Life Application SB 2019] COMMENTARY PEARL This earth is the place of preparation for heaven. The time spent here is the Christian's winter. Here the chilly winds of affliction blow upon us, and the waves of trouble roll against us. But in the near future, when Christ comes, sorrow and sighing will be forever ended. Then will be the Christian's summer. All trials will be over, and there will be no more sickness or death. "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying...: for the former things are passed away" (MS 28, 1886). 7BC 988 COMMENTARY Here we have the assurance of the elimination of five tragic aspects of human life: tears, death, mourning, crying, and pain. [Wycliffe Bible Commentary] People will enjoy a new intimacy with God and the elimination of those sorrows that sin brings. [Ryrie SB] The highest promise of all is intimate fellowship with God ... This fellowship with God in the golden age brings certain things. Tears and grief and crying and pain are gone. ... "They shall obtain joy and gladness," said Isaiah of the pilgrims of the heavenly way, "and sorrow and sighing shall flee away" (Isa 35:10). [Barclay Commentary] What wonderful changes there will be when we enter eternity! God will dwell personally with His people in a glorious and intimate way. There will be no more tears, death, or sorrow. All of these came into the world through sin, but now the curse is removed. God's "It is done!" parallels Christ's "It is finished!" The same Lord who started creation will also finish it; He is Alpha and Omega (the first and last letters of the Gk. alphabet). [Wiersbe Expository Outlines] Loyal Sorrow Do elephants mourn over their dead relatives? The gentle giants have been observed taking great interest in the bones of deceased family members - smelling, touching, and repeatedly passing by the corpses. Researchers have watched elephants try to lift up dying friends and even cry over the death of their trainers. Animal grief touches the human heart, but how much more does our grief touch the heart of God? Today's verse promises that the Creator Himself "will wipe away every tear from [our] eyes" How beautiful! Each sorrow and affliction that wounds your heart also wounds His. He is there today to comfort you through every earthly trial. We will have death, pain, and sickness here on Earth. However, at the end of the millennium, there will be "no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying ... for the former things [will] have passed away" Let us comfort each other with this wonderful promise. This assurance of never again having to endure the grief of a sinful world should fill our souls with joy and thanksgiving. Like our elephant friends, we may grieve over the loss of our loved ones. But when Christ returns, every earthly sorrow will be seen as insignificant compared to the "eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:17). There is a day soon coming when we will never again shed tears of sorrow! Heavenly Father, please wipe away my tears and keep my mind fixed on You and Your promises. [The Most Amazing Bible Promises by Amazing Facts] CLOSING PEARL Earth Has No Sorrow That Heaven Cannot Heal. [Hymn: Come, Ye Disconsolate] LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY Revelation 21:4 - A Vision of Heaven. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20211027-1041.html Revelation 21:4 - Our Ultimate Hooray 1. http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200711-1028.html Revelation 21:4 - It Is Not Yet The End!: http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200608-0839.html Revelation 21:4 - Out With The Old And In With The New! http://www.abible.com/devotions/2014/20141229-1230.html LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT https://abible.com/links/ |