A New Heaven and a New Earth- Concluson

Conclusion of A New Heaven and a New Earth

John goes on to say:  "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.  The former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4) Once again, we are reminded of earlier inspired promises.  Isaiah also looked forward  to the time when death and mourning would be no more and grief would be replaced  by exultation. (Isaiah 25:28; 35:10; 51:11; 65:19)  John now confirms that these promises have a wonderful  fulfillment during the thousand-year Judgment Day.  First the  great crowd will enjoy the blessings.  "The Lamb, who is in the midst of the throne," continuing to shepherd them, "will guide them to fountains of waters of life.  And God will wipe out every tear from their eyes."  (Revelation 7:9, 17) But eventually all those who are resurrected and exercise faith in Jehovah's provisions will be there with them, enjoying paradise that is both spiritual and physical.

"At that time," says Isaiah, "the eyes of the blind ones will be opened, and the very ears of the deaf ones will be unstopped."  Yes, "at that time the lame one will climb up just as a stag does, and the tongue of the speechless one will cry out in gladness."  (Isaiah 35:5, 6)  At that time, too, "they will certainly build houses and have occupancy; and  they will certainly plant vineyards and eat their fruitage.  They will not build and someone else have occupancy; they will not plant and someone else do the eating.  For like the days of a tree will the days of my people be; and the work of their own hands my chosen ones will use to the full."  (Isaiah 65:21, 22) So they will not be uprooted from the earth.

What magnificent foregleams fill our minds as we meditate on these promises!  Wondrous provisions are in store for faithful mankind under heaven's loving government.  Are such promises too good to be true? Are they just the dreams of an old man exiled on the island of Patmos?  Jehovah himself answers:   "And the One seated on the throne said:  'Look! I am making all things new.' Also, he says: 'Write, because these words are faithful and true." And he said to me: 'They have come to pass! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.' " -Revelation 21:5, 6a. 

It is as though Jehovah himself were signing for faithful mankind a guarantee, or title deed , to these future blessings.  Who would dare question such a Guarantor?  Why, so certain are these promises of Jehovah that he speaks as though they were already fulfilled:  "They have come to pass!"  Is not Jehovah "the Alpha and the Omega . . ., the One who is and who was and who is coming, the Almighty"?  (Revelation 1:8)  Indeed he is! He himself declares: "I am the first and I am the last, and besides me there is no God."  (Isaiah 44:6)  As such, he can inspire prophecies and fulfill them in every detail.  How faith strengthening!  So he promises: "I am making all things new'!  Rather than questioning whether these marvels will really happen, surely we should be wondering:  'What do I personally have to do to inherit such blessings?'

Next time: A New Heaven and a New Earth - "Water" for the Thirsty Ones

From the Book of Revelation