“And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new’. Also he said, ‘Write this down for these words are trustworthy and true. And he said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment’”. -Revelation 21:5-6
“Behold, I am making all things new.” A few years ago I wrote these words on the chalkboard by our back door. It had been a challenging year, and I was so ready for something new. I clung to that verse in hopes that the challenging aspects of our lives would change for the better. I longed for comfort and fulfillment in the here and now. I was focused on earthly things.
I had missed the point.
When Jesus says, “Behold, I am making all things new”, he isn’t talking about our specific earthly circumstances. Sure, he may choose to bring about change there, but that is not what he is telling us here in Revelation 21:5.
In this statement, Jesus is telling us that he is bringing about the redemption of his creation-- us. He is taking us from death to life. In the following verse He makes this more clear. He says, “It is done! I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment”. This is the new thing, and oh, how much sweeter is this free gift of redemption than the simple changing of some uncomfortable circumstances!
I’ve kept these words on our chalkboard to remind me that what Christ has done on the cross and what He will one day do when He returns for His creation is my true hope in life and death. It is my only hope. I’ve needed this reminder this year (haven’t we all?). I have found myself mistakenly placing my hope in changing circumstances rather than in the hope of the gospel. There is nothing wrong with asking God to change our circumstances. In fact, He tells us to cast all our cares on Him for He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7), but that is not where our hope is found. We are not promised comfort in this life, but those who are in Christ are promised redemption from our sins and eternity with Christ in glory. What a blessed hope that is!
Are you “thirsty” today? Consider where you are placing your hope. Is it in some earthly comfort, or is it in Jesus, our only hope in life and death?