Revelation 21:5-8
It Is Done
There was a beginning; there will be an ending. Everything in our experience tells us this about ourselves and the world we live in. We see people born, and we see those same people die. The same goes for animals and plants to single-cell organisms. And in between there is change. It may begin with growth but at some point there will be decay. And sometimes even birth will bring a host of defects. Now the beginning wasn’t planned this way; on the contrary, God created a world for life everlasting. But we sinned and so decay and death entered into the world.
But the Incarnation, death, and resurrection of our Lord has changed everything. As we saw yesterday, the world itself will experience a new birth and a new heaven and earth, a new Jerusalem, will be reborn. And into this newly regenerated world shall God’s people be gathered with souls no longer subject to sin and bodies glorified. No more decay or death, for God makes all things new.
And so what does God say to put the exclamation point on all of this? He says, “It is done!” The purpose for creation has been fulfilled—which is God together with his chosen ones for all eternity. And please note, those who inhabit the celestial city with God are characterized in two ways: 1) They are thirsty. They hunger and thirst for God, for salvation, for the new world to come; and 2) They conquer. They conquer sin in their own lives. They conquer temptation and trial. If they must, they conquer fire and water. But the only reason they are able to do the latter is that they do the former. No one can hope to overcome the flames until he has overcome his own passions. And this is sanctification. Yes, it is God who works in us (Philippians 2:13), but we must still work, or why does the Apostle in the same letter say, “Press on,” or God here say, “The one who conquers?”
And behold the list of those who are left to the lake of fire. I’m sure we can all see ourselves there some place—which is why salvation is of grace. But grace does not call us to be lackadaisical but diligent in our walk before God and the world. And the end is only the beginning! The Alpha and Omega has prepared a place for us. Let us set our minds on heavenly things where Christ is (Colossians 3:1-4). Let us meditate on God’s love and grace, His goodness and kindness to creatures such as ourselves—who deigns not only to make us but to save us that we might be with Him in glory forever. And let those thoughts cast those remaining sins away as you peer into the glory.
