Daily Devotional
The World Made New
Scripture
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea did not exist any longer. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with humanity, and he will take up residence with them, and they will be his people and God himself will be with them. And he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will not exist any longer, and mourning or wailing or pain will not exist any longer. The former things have passed away.” And the one seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new!” And he said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.”
Revelation 21:1–5
Reflection
Revelation's vision of a new heaven and new earth is not an escape from creation. It is a picture of God making all things new and dwelling with people. The vision names what God will remove—death, mourning, crying, and pain—because these are real wounds, not inconveniences to overlook. Christian hope looks toward a future where they no longer have the final word. This promise matters in the present, but it does not let us claim that every broken thing is already repaired. We live with grief and injustice while trusting that God is moving toward restoration. That hope can make us more honest about suffering, not less. If God intends a world where tears are wiped away, then our care for people who weep and our efforts to resist harm matter now. The whole biblical story moves toward God's renewed creation, and Jesus' resurrection is its first light. We cannot build that future by our own power, but we can practice signs of it: welcome someone excluded, repair what we have damaged, or protect what is vulnerable. These acts do not erase pain or complete God's work. They are small, hopeful ways of living toward the promise that the world will be made new.
Prayer
God of new creation, comfort those who mourn and strengthen all who work for healing. Let your promised future shape our care for people and the world today.
Today's Question
What small act of repair or care could offer a glimpse of God's renewing hope?