Hope For The Future - A SOAP Devotional, by Pastor Jamie

Revelation 21:1-7- Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” 5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 6 And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.

As we read all the way to the end of God's story in Scripture, we get to see what final victory in Jesus' return will look one day, which is a key component of Advent. The truth is that God wins at every point along the way in human history, even though there were, are, and will be many battles that will be lost on the way to final victory. It's the nature of living "in between the times," of the present now and not yet fully realized Kingdom of God. In these verses we see John's beautiful vision from God of a new heaven and a new earth where God not only wipes away every tear from the eyes of those who have kept the faith through trials and suffering, but now these believers get to inhabit a place where sin, suffering, and death have once and for all been finally defeated and God fully reigns. This picture of final victory helps prepare us for the first coming of Jesus Christ, the One Who is both fully human and fully God, the Incarnation.

Imagine what it must have been like to be a follower of Jesus at the end of the first century. John has been exiled for his faith in Christ, and he has written to them extensively of the potential for suffering along the way- on the way to final victory in Jesus. These words would have offered a deep and profound sense of encouragement to declare, "Jesus is Lord!" in the face of suffering and persecution. These words would have strengthened them for an unknown future. This vision is meant for us as well- to help us remain faithful to our end, whenever it comes, as well. Yes, there is pain, suffering, tears, and death here and now, but one day that will all be taken care of by our God, who is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. The One who entered into human history, Jesus, the Messiah, the Prince of Peace, clearly communicates His compassion for us through His incarnate presence with us as we suffer, and when He returns in final victory, He will redeem all of our pain. All of it! Immanuel...God is with us!

Dear Lord, we look forward with joyful anticipation to the day when death is finally defeated and there is no more sin, pain, suffering, and tears are wiped away forever! As we anticipate the vanquishing of all evil at the end of time, give us strength and courage to do things on earth here and now as You are doing them in heaven right now for Your glory that people will be pointed to a life-saving relationship with Jesus, the One Who is fully human to relate to us and fully diving to transform us. Amen.

"However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows." (Matthew 24:36),   Pastor Jamie