All Things Will Be Made New
Revelation 21:4-And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Some years back, a man by the name of William Paul Young wrote a remarkable book entitled The Shack. It is a fictional account that describes a man named Mackenzie whose youngest child, Missy, is kidnapped, brutalized, and murdered by a serial killer. Mack has an intense struggle of faith in the goodness of God after this, wondering how the Almighty could allow such a horrendous thing to happen when He has the power to stop it. Then one day he receives an invitation from God (named Papa) to get together at the shack where Missy’s bloody clothes were found. The rest of the book has a powerful discussion of good, evil, and God (among other things). Well, at one point in the book, we read that part of God’s purpose for allowing evil in this world may be for good reasons that we may not be able to fully understand. But the Lord has promised to redeem evil. This is actually a Bible theme found throughout both Old and New Testaments. Speaking of this, another author who has struggled with God’s goodness after the death of a child, wrote these words:
“We can’t imagine what could possibly justify evil. But, at one level, that is the wrong question. God’s purpose is not to justify it, but to redeem it. My favorite scene in Mel Gibson’s The Passion of Christ is when Jesus, carrying the cross, falls to his knees under its weight. His mother runs to him, and their eyes lock. With blood streaming down his cheeks and holding the symbol of Roman power and violence, Jesus says, “Behold, Mother, I make all things new.” In the depths of this suffering—in the depths of all suffering—is the seed of redemptive love, though it is invisible to us and everything we see with our eyes tells us otherwise. Nevertheless, in the midst of the suffering—paradigmatically at the cross—God is at work to renew all things. This is the promise of God—a new creation, new heavens and a new earth in a new Jerusalem. There, the old order will pass away and the voice of God will declare, “I am making everything new” (Rev. 21: 5). A day is coming when there will be “no more curse” (Rev. 22: 3). There will be no more darkness—the glory of God will fill the earth with light. There will be no more violence—the nations will receive healing and walk by its light. There will be no more death, mourning, or tears—the Tree of Life and the Water of Life will nourish the people of God forever.” (John Mark Hicks, Meeting God at the Shack: A Journey into Spiritual Recovery, 150-151 (Kindle Edition): Abilene, Texas: Leafwood Publishers)
God is working for good in the world, but His work will not be fully realized until the Lord Jesus returns. Then all things will be renewed and restored: the wrongs righted: the hurting healed: the victims vindicated: and the Lord seen to be righteous, even by His enemies. Now, we don’t just sit idly and wait for that Day: we work good while we are here, standing up for the Lord and His cause as shown in His Word, the Bible. We proclaim His Word to those who are lost and hurting (Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 11:28-30). And when we are weary and ready to give in, we speak to the Lord and remember to keep setting our sights on the Lord’s Return.
Isaiah 25:8-He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces; The rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken.
Philippians 3:20-21-For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
Lord, thank You for Your promise that one Day Your people will find healing. Maybe here in this life, or maybe beyond. But wherever and whenever, we trust You. We are eager for Your Return! Help us to be Your light of hope in this world to those who have no hope. Comfort us when we are discouraged. Encourage those who are hurting. We long to see You! Lord Jesus, what a Day that will! Thank you for loving us, and please stay near to us, now and always. In Your Name we pray, Amen.