Daily Thought

Here we move from the sad end of the present creation into eternity and the glories of the new creation. The final rebellion of mankind after the millennial kingdom of Christ, with its Edenic conditions and universal knowledge of the Lord, will prove that unregenerate men are incurably sinful. They will always be deceived by Satan’s temptations, whenever he is permitted, as here, to become active again. So the final dispensation, perfect government, like all the others, will end in failure and cause God swiftly to destroy this present world and set up the solemn great white throne judgement of the unbelieving dead. There the same Christ who died to redeem repentant sinners and put their names in His book of life will judge all who remain impenitent according to their works and consign them to varying degrees of eternal punishment, according to their responsibility, in the Lake of Fire. There will be no escape from attending this assize: all will be resurrected to stand before God and suffer the second death. Reader, will you be in the first resurrection of life, or the later resurrection of judgement? Repentance and faith in Christ makes all the difference.

In chapter 21 we move into the joyful scene of the new heaven and new earth, with which God will replace the corrupted old creation. All will be totally new in character and physical laws; for there will be no more sea. The present life-sustaining water cycle will be unnecessary. John saw the New Jerusalem, the home of God’s redeemed people of all ages, descend from God to earth looking like a bride on her wedding day. Glorious sight! At last God will be able to dwell with men and be their God without a rival. All the sorrows of this present life will be banished forever. Finally, Christ from His throne puts the issues of eternity to the reader. All who are spiritually thirsty for the water of life which He offers will be fully satisfied, if they come to trust Him. Believers will inherit all this wonderful new creation. But all unrepentant sinners who refuse to trust Him will suffer the torments of the second death. Reader, the eternal Christ, the Alpha and Omega of all things, is offering you life today. Which will you choose: life or death?