The God Who Restores - AdventShembull

All Things New

Read: Revelation 21—22

SOAP: Revelation 22:13

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end!

Into the Text

The final chapters of the Book of Revelation reveal the glory of the new Jerusalem, the place where God will dwell with His people when He returns to rule on the earth. As we reflect this week on the return of Christ and the promises that will be completed in Him, the redeemed holy city is at the forefront. Throughout Scripture, God continually promised His people that they would one day dwell with Him and see the glory of Jerusalem restored. This is that restoration.

The splendor of this city does not come from the pure gold streets and walls, the precious stones in its foundation, or the size of its gates. The glory of the new Jerusalem comes from the Lamb. No temple will exist in the new Jerusalem because the Lord God and the Lamb will dwell there. There is no need for light because the glory of the Lamb will be its light.

This is what we have to look forward to; this is what we long for! The longings we experience in life, and the losses we face, remind us that this is not our home. The season of Advent is when we take the time to refocus our hearts. While we may face loss, death, grief, despair, loneliness, pain, and sorrow now, we remember what is coming in the future: a life in the new Jerusalem with our Lord. We can hold on to His promise of eternal life with Him.

Jesus is the only one on whom we can depend. When life is hard, people hurt us, nations crumble, and our hope does not falter because it is anchored in Him. He is the first and the last. He is the beginning and the end. He sees all, knows all, and is sovereign over everything.

Life on this earth is always hard. But the special thing about this season is how we remind one another of who is coming back soon: Jesus Christ. As we enter into this season of Advent, let’s remember the real hope we have. The world is broken because of sin, but there is complete, eternal redemption in our Savior, Jesus Christ.