After journeying for an entire year through Scripture, we’ve finally reached the end of the story, but what we’re looking at today is not another story from history that’s already occurred, but instead the future we look forward. We can look forward to this future with hope because we’ve seen God make good on his promises throughout the entire story found in God’s Word.

Here it is, the end of all things:

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.””
-Revelation 21:1-8

Rather than provide a lengthy reflection on this passage, which is my temptation every time I read these incredible words of hope, I want to simply encourage you to reflect upon the implications of our future hope.

-Both heaven and earth are finally made new for eternity.

-Our future home is a dwelling place with God.

-We look forward to a day when suffering and evil cease to exist.

-The experience of this future hope is completely free for any who would take it.

-Those without this hope have a drastically different destiny.

Reflect upon these truths, and ask: How do these truths impact the way you live right now?