The End Of All Suffering
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’”
Yesterday, we looked at a few scriptures from the New Testament about suffering and persecution. Jesus made a promise that these trials would come to those who love and follow him. While suffering and persecution are guaranteed, deliverance from this suffering is also promised.
Today’s scripture reveals that the end of all suffering will be marked by Jesus' return to remove everything that hinders love, right every wrong, and makes the earth ready for God to come and dwell. As a result of God dwelling with humanity, there will be no more sorrow, pain, and death.
This day is a promised day that is certainly coming, but it might feel far off. It could be hard to imagine a day where God dwells with humanity and removes all tears, death, mourning, and pain. It may even feel unrealistic, especially if you are currently suffering persecution.
But, this future hope, or as Paul says to Titus in Titus 2:14, "our blessed hope," is going to come to pass. We can rejoice in the simple truth that Jesus will return, this will surely happen, and that it is our blessed hope!
This message can be our anchor as we navigate suffering and persecution. We do not have to be without hope in the midst of our present trial or the coming persecution. We can have great expectancy, not just because God can deliver now, but because he will vindicate us once and for all when Jesus returns.
I invite you to take some time to read and pray through these verses. As you do, ask yourself to what degree do you believe that this will happen. Is the great and glorious day of Jesus’ appearing on your mind? In that moment, is Jesus your anchor amid the sufferings, pain, and persecutions of this life?
I am convinced that living in light of Jesus’ return can uniquely root us in love, hope, and confidence. We have so much to look forward to, even as we walk through present-day sorrow, suffering, and persecution.
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