Good news . . . bad news . . . good news . . .

The past few days have brought down-up-down-up news in our family. My sister fell and broke her hip on Christmas day, had surgery the next day without complications, but yesterday was not a good one. I’m not sure what the next text or phone call will bring, but I am certain that I want good news. She lives four hours away and our plan is to go see her as soon as she can have visitors. One prior issue; she lost the ability to talk much more than a few words but is still mentally sharp, not had a stroke. I cannot imagine her frustration.

This morning’s Bible reading brings good news. I am eager for this event when our struggles will be over and my sister and I can swap stories as we behold our Lord and Savior, our mutual best friend.

This is what He revealed to John about the best news ever:

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:1–4)

This was also promised at least 600 years before Jesus was born as well as in the New Testament:

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.” (Isaiah 65:17)

“For as the new heavens and the new earth that I make shall remain before me, says the Lord, so shall your offspring and your name remain.” (Isaiah 66:22)

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:10–13)

Other than “no sea” little is said except that the people of God will live in this new earth. Expositors differ on the timeline, but using the principle that clear passages should be used to explain obscure passages, the second coming of Christ is followed by a thousand-year reign on earth (which includes the sea), and this in turn is followed by a new heaven and new earth, the dwelling place for God’s people forever.

After this revelation, God gives another one, partly good news but ending with bad news, at least for some:

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 the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:5–8)

This passage does not affirm salvation by works but restates that works indicate one’s spiritual status. Many will be in heaven who were guilty of these sins but turned from them after trusting Christ as their Savior. Though works are the evidence of salvation or lack of it, they are never the basis or ground of it.

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Lord Jesus, will I miss this world and its beauty? Certainly not the messy sinful part of it. Here, I’ll walk a beach aware that no sea may mean no beaches, but I’ve a feeling that this new world will be magnificent; beaches will be a moot point. The good news of the former things passing away is my hope, our hope. As the world deteriorates along with godliness and love for Jesus and His people, my heart longs for the glories and perfection of this eternal dwelling place — and to see my Savior’s face. Even so, come Lord Jesus.

Today’s thankful list . . .

- the joy in my heart when reading God’s promises.

- good news about my sister; she is showing improvement.

- lots of pattern sales this week with most logged in and nearly ready to mail.

- the ability to exercise without too much strain!