The Future Glory
22For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
My very least favorite time of the year is springtime. Sure, it is often a beautiful time of the year, but with it comes the pollen. Spring allergies are one of the biggest reminders to me that things here on earth are not how they were meant to be. The truth is, from the moment sin entered the world, the whole world was corrupted, and the entire earth feels that corruption. One day, however, God will redeem and restore everything on this earth that was destroyed by sin, and on that day, there will be no more spring allergies keeping us inside on the most beautiful days. On that day, everything that sin corrupted will be made right.
The apostle Paul explains in Romans 8 that things on earth are not as God intended. “All creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are,” Paul wrote (verse 19). In other words, creation is waiting for the day when Jesus will return, and God will make everything right. Paul continued, saying, “Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay” (verses 20-21). Human beings are not the only ones impacted by sin. The entire earth, Paul explains here, has experienced the sting of sin, death, and decay. That’s why Paul describes creation as “groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time” (verse 22). What is creation groaning about? Creation is groaning that things here on earth are not as God intended them to be. Creation is groaning over the death and decay that sin corrupted.
Yes, creation is groaning now, but things will not always be that way. You see, we learn in the book of Revelation that one day, when Jesus returns, He will restore everything that sin corrupted, and there will be a new heaven and a new earth. This new earth will be free of the sting of sin, death, and decay. And when Christ brings about the new heaven and earth, creation will no longer groan, for the day it eagerly awaited will have finally come. I cannot wait for that day!
Moving toward action
After reading through the verses listed in the Going Deeper section below, pray. Specifically, thank God for the hope found in the Scripture you read. Thank Him that one day, He will bring about a new heaven and new earth that will no longer be groaning. Ask Him to help you to hold on to this truth every day, especially as you walk through difficulties and suffering.
Prayer Prompt: Use this prompt to guide you as you pray.
“God, as I hold on to the hope of a new heaven and new earth that you will establish one day, I worship You because…”
Going deeper
The New Jerusalem
1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
3I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.[1] 4He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
5And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 6And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.
8“But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
9Then one of the seven angels who held the seven bowls containing the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come with me! I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
10So he took me in the Spirit[2] to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. 11It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as clear as crystal. 12The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates. 13There were three gates on each side—east, north, south, and west. 14The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
15The angel who talked to me held in his hand a gold measuring stick to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16When he measured it, he found it was a square, as wide as it was long. In fact, its length and width and height were each 1,400 miles.[3] 17Then he measured the walls and found them to be 216 feet thick[4] (according to the human standard used by the angel).
18The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. 19The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones:[5] the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.
21The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass.
22I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. 24The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. 25Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. 26And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. 27Nothing evil[6] will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Translation notes (6)
- 21:3 Some manuscripts read God himself will be with them, their God.
- 21:10 Or in spirit.
- 21:16 Greek 12,000 stadia [2,220 kilometers].
- 21:17 Greek 144 cubits [65 meters].
- 21:19 The identification of some of these gemstones is uncertain.
- 21:27 Or ceremonially unclean.
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