Revelation 21:1-8, 22-27 "And I saw a new Heaven and new Earth: for the first Heaven and the first Earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from GOD out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of GOD is with men, and HE will dwell with them, and they shall be HIS people, and GOD HIMSELF shall be with them, and be their GOD. And GOD shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And HE that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And HE said unto me, Write: for these WORDs are true and faithful. And HE said unto me, It is done. I AM ALPHA and OMEGA, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his GOD, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the Lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
And I saw no temple therein: for the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY and the LAMB are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of GOD did lighten it, and the LAMB is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the Earth do bring their glory and honor into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the LAMB's Book of Life."
Often great blessing and benefit come when something previously bothersome is now missing. It would be nice to learn, for example, that the neighbor's dog that barked constantly in one day was no longer around. If one is suffering from an inflamed appendix, it would be good to have the organ removed. What a blessing it is when a corrupt politician is voted out of office. His presence will not be missed !
In the eternal state - the New Heaven and New Earth - what does GOD's WORD have to say about what will be missing:
The Devil will not be present (Revelation 20:10).
The first Heaven and first Earth will be gone, and there will be no more seas or oceans (v.1).
Verse four declares that all tears will be wiped away; death will be no more so thus no need for hospitals, hospice, funerals, cemeteries, etc.
There will not be any sorrow or crying or pain; the former things that caused so much suffering, hardships, and heartache will all have passed away.
As we read on, we find that ungodly people will no longer be present to defile GOD's Holy Heaven because they will be in a separate place (v.8 cf. Revelation 22:15 pictured above).
The eternal state will have no temple because the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY and the LAMB will be the temple of that new city (v.22).
The sun and the moon will not be necessary since the glory of GOD will be its endless source of light (v.23).
No unsaved persons will be allowed to enter therein (v.27).
There will be no more curse (Revelation 22:3).
There will be no more night there (Revelation 22:5).
However, the greatest blessing will not be the things that are missing; rather, it will be HE WHO is present with us - our GOD (v.3). "In THY presence is fulness of joy; at THY right hand there are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:11). GWZ
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation
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