The Former Things Have Passed Away

One of the greatest promises in Scripture is that everything we suffer in this present world will not last forever. God has appointed a time when He will remove every trace of sorrow, pain, and death, and replace it with eternal joy in His presence.

1. God’s Dwelling with His People

Revelation 21:3–4 (NIV) says:
“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 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.’”

• From the beginning, God desired to dwell with humanity (Genesis 3:8; Exodus 29:45).
• Sin broke that fellowship, but through Jesus Christ, God restores it (John 1:14; Matthew 28:20).
• The final fulfillment will be in the New Jerusalem, where God Himself will be present with His redeemed people (Revelation 21:22–23).

This means heaven is not just about escaping suffering—it is about being with God forever.

2. The End of All Suffering

John lists the things that will no longer exist: death, mourning, crying, and pain. These belong to the “old order of things.”

• Romans 8:18 (NIV): “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

• All sickness, disease, oppression, and injustice will be gone. No cancer, no blindness, no poverty, no wars, no brokenness.
• Every form of evil and imperfection will be erased by the power of Christ’s victory on the cross.

Heaven is therefore not an escape but the consummation of redemption—the full restoration of God’s creation.

3. The Joy That Overwhelms Memory of Pain

The glory of heaven will be so overwhelming that it will erase the memory of suffering.

• Isaiah 65:17 (NIV): “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.”

• The joy of God’s presence will be so complete that earthly pain will seem like it never existed.
• Poverty, loss, and grief will be swallowed up in the eternal riches of Christ (2 Corinthians 8:9).

4. The Urgency of Preparation

The Bible warns us to be ready, for Christ’s return will come suddenly.

• 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (NIV): “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

• This is the rapture of the saints, when both the resurrected and the living believers will be transformed (1 Corinthians 15:51–53).
• But those who remain in sin will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19–21).

5. What Really Matters

Jesus Himself asked:

Mark 8:36 (NIV): “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”

• Earthly riches, fame, and pleasure are temporary.
• Eternal life is worth far more than anything this world can offer.
• Even if poverty or suffering keeps us humble before God, it is better to inherit heaven than to gain temporary wealth and perish.

6. The Warning and the Promise

The message is both hopeful and sobering.

• Revelation 21:6–7 (NIV): “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 21:8 (NIV): “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

God’s gift of eternal life is free, but we must repent and overcome through faith in Christ (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8–9).

7. The Call to Salvation

Salvation is available now. Tomorrow is not guaranteed (James 4:14).

• Repent sincerely and turn away from sin (Acts 3:19).
• Believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (John 3:16).
• Be baptized by immersion in His name for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38).
• Walk in the Spirit, who will guide you into God’s will (Romans 8:14).

Conclusion

The former things will soon pass away. A new creation is coming where righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13). The joy, peace, and glory of God’s kingdom await all who overcome by faith in Jesus Christ.

Let us therefore live not for this passing world, but for the eternal kingdom that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28).

“To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.” – Revelation 3:21 (NIV)

✨ May we all be found ready when Christ returns. Amen.

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