February 18: ALL THINGS NEW, INCLUDING YOU!

Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” Revelation 21:5

He who sat on the throne, seen by our brother John the Revelator, is the very same Creator who made our world in six days (Genesis 1:31). At that time, everything was in place before He made man on the sixth day. But this time, He is going to create a perfect world right before our eyes; and He wants us to watch—to Behold—Him as witnesses to His mighty work of creation! His promise to make all things new is a unique reference to His recreative power, so as to fulfill the promise of new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13); after the familiar pattern of Eden before sin, but even more glorious. Paul points out that, after our suffering in this fallen world, we may also be glorified together (Romans 8:17). Isaiah heard the LORD, your Redeemer say, “Behold, I will do a new thing . . . it shall spring forth . . . the beast of the field will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches . . . [and] this people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise” (Isaiah 43:19a,20a,21). David reminds us of the original creation: By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. For He spoke and it was done; He commanded and it stood fast (Psalm 33:6,9).

Just to ensure that we make no mistake about what God has promised, He directly told John: “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” God’s word and His purposes are multiple: to woo and to win each of us completely over to the side of righteousness, to draw us closer to Him in this often-difficult journey through a world of corruption and decay, to encourage and comfort us, and to help us look forward to a glorious eternity following our brief life on this sin-ravaged earth. “Yes, things today are broken, decaying, falling apart. While the Second Law of Thermodynamics may explain it partly on a scientific level, the world’s problems are not going to be solved by science but only by the Lord, who promises to make all things new, including you.” DOUG BATCHELOR

Yes, you and I are included in the concept of recreation, and that is in progress now! Let’s make sure to cooperate with—and not hinder—His work in each of us! Never forget that He is the one who guarantees the trustworthiness of His prophetic Word. He Himself and the Word from His mouth are equally reliable. He Himself is true and faithful.

…in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me {Paul} according to the commandment of God our Savior… For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Titus 1:2-3; 2:11-14

For further study: Isaiah 66:23; Luke 14:15; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Revelation 3:14; 19:9