The Lion and the Lamb: A Guide to the Book of RevelationSample

New Creation

When it comes to understanding Revelation, one of the best things we can do is remember how the book begins and ends. It begins with the declaration that Jesus is King and has the power to overcome anything that challenges His rule.

Revelation ends with a vision of New Creation, what the world will be like when heaven and earth are reunited; when death, pain, suffering, and evil are done for good; when everything is as it's meant to be, and everyone who trusts in Jesus will live eternally in the presence of God with the fullness of joy.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4 NIV

This moment—promised by God, prophesied by Isaiah, and proclaimed to John—is the moment that all of creation eagerly waits for.

There’s an old order of things. The old order is marked by death, sorrow, and pain. But, the world is coming under new management. The King of Creation will claim His rightful place and reorder the world.

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. Revelation 21:5-7 NIV

Notice how verse 5 says, “I am making …”

Jesus has already started this project. He started it with the announcement that the kingdom of heaven has come near.

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near.Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:14-15 NIV

This is the gospel. And this is the conclusion of the Book of Revelation! Heaven is close. God’s kingdom, His rule, and reign are coming on earth as it is in heaven, and everyone is invited in. Everyone is invited to come to Jesus and drink freely from the water of life.

This isn’t some new, big, scary revelation. This is what it looks like for Jesus’ mission to be brought to completion. In fact, as John records his vision of the New Creation, it must have reminded him of a conversation between Jesus and a Samaritan woman sitting by a well.

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14 NIV

Sound familiar? At the end of the world as we know it, after the old order of things, Jesus will make good on His promise to that woman at the well. He will make good on His promise to a religious teacher on a rooftop. He will make good on His promise to two sisters grieving the death of their brother. He will make good on His promise to a ragtag group of fishermen who left everything to follow Him. And He will make good on His promise to you.

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:24 NIV

The hope of the Book of Revelation is that there is a King called Faithful and True who is going to keep His promise to you—His promise of a world as it should be and the kind of life you were made to live eternally.

These things are recorded to help us be faithful to the One who is faithful to us. Instead of getting bogged down by the weird and wild parts of Revelation, focus on the words of Jesus: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world”(John 16:33 NIV).

He has overcome the world and chosen to share His victory with us because He loves us. We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. So, cling to the cross of Christ and devote your life to the one true King. Continue the mission that He started by living like heaven is close. And join the cry of faithful followers of Jesus as we await the day our King comes back for us: The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come, and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life(Revelation 22:17 NIV).

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Challenge: There’s a free gift on the table: the water of life. This is not a gift you want to pass up. If you’ve been reading this Plan and recognize that you haven’t declared your allegiance to King Jesus—or if the news about who He is and what He has done is new to you—please, don’t stop seeking Him. Continue to learn more about who He is and why He’s worth following with your whole life.

This Bible Plan is a great next step: Learning the Jesus Way of Life.