Waiting for the New Creation
For Meditation
Advent is a season of waiting. But what are we waiting for? Revelation 21 and 22 are some of the greatest chapters in the Bible, serving as the climax not only of this book, but also of the New Testament, the Bible, and the whole story of God and humanity. These chapters point us to our ultimate hope.
And what is that hope? A New Creation. The final two chapters of this book offer us an astonishing picture of our final destination. It is not “heaven” as we often conceive it- an other-worldly place where we float in ethereal existence detached from the far away problems of the earth. That vision of our hope is sub-Christian at best and pagan at worst. No, the vision that Revelation gives us is a renewed and restored creation, in which the two realms of heaven and earth are finally united. It is as earthy and material as anything we know, yet more so- because it is absent of the pain, sorrow, destruction and death that undermine flourishing in our current existence. It is a place of shalom, of ultimate restoration, where the nations finally dwell with God in peace on the earth forever.
In preparation for worship, read Isaiah 65:17-25 and consider all the promises that are made in this Old Testament prophecy about the world that God will one day bring about. Then consider how that world has been brought about in part through Jesus, and how one day we will experience that world fully together. Spend some time giving God thanks and praise for particular aspects of that re-created world that are particularly meaningful to you.
Advent is a season of waiting. But what are we waiting for? Revelation 21 and 22 are some of the greatest chapters in the Bible, serving as the climax not only of this book, but also of the New Testament, the Bible, and the whole story of God and humanity. These chapters point us to our ultimate hope.
And what is that hope? A New Creation. The final two chapters of this book offer us an astonishing picture of our final destination. It is not “heaven” as we often conceive it- an other-worldly place where we float in ethereal existence detached from the far away problems of the earth. That vision of our hope is sub-Christian at best and pagan at worst. No, the vision that Revelation gives us is a renewed and restored creation, in which the two realms of heaven and earth are finally united. It is as earthy and material as anything we know, yet more so- because it is absent of the pain, sorrow, destruction and death that undermine flourishing in our current existence. It is a place of shalom, of ultimate restoration, where the nations finally dwell with God in peace on the earth forever.
In preparation for worship, read Isaiah 65:17-25 and consider all the promises that are made in this Old Testament prophecy about the world that God will one day bring about. Then consider how that world has been brought about in part through Jesus, and how one day we will experience that world fully together. Spend some time giving God thanks and praise for particular aspects of that re-created world that are particularly meaningful to you.
Revelation 21:1–7, 22:3–5
1 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
6 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 water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.
3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.