I would think that most Christians, i.e. true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, are familiar with the promise of God found at the end of the book of Revelation. “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:4). It is the absence of these “former things” that distinguishes the new heaven and new earth from our present one. As John points out, they are passed away – gone forever!
Our lives in this present world are inescapably touched by such things – things that hurt, that separate, that disappoint, that cause sorrow, crying, pain. We cannot outrun these things. They are as much a part of our lives as sunshine and rain, summer and winter, night and day. In many cases we have no control over them. Yet in many cases we ourselves are the cause of them.
But, oh, the promise that is ours! There shall be no more death – the ultimate separation. We shall never again stand over the silent grave of a loved one. Separation and the fear of death that would seek to rise in our own hearts shall be crushed forever. There are no cemeteries in the new earth!
There is nothing there that causes anguish of soul, that gives sorrow to the heart, that robs us of our speech and leaves nothing in its place but sobbing and bowing of the head. There is no relationship there marred by estrangement and its consequent grief. Sin and its effects are forever banished.
There is no disappointment there, for every expectation is found and met in Jesus Christ who is altogether lovely. And tears, the offspring of these “former things” are wiped away eternally by the omnipotent hand of God himself.
Yes, these things now will be former things then. But for now, these things are our lot. They batter us, bruise us, crush us, scar us. But someday, for those that know Christ, they will be former things. Friend, is that your hope? Sin has had its way with this world and those that dwell therein. But Christ came to take away our sins and give us a living hope. He gives peace in the midst of these things and is preparing a place where peace shall reign for the Prince of Peace himself is there. Do you know him?
From the Chaplain 