Revelation 21:1-8 Only those who are selflessly contributing to their families and communities will dwell in the New Jerusalem

Revelation 21:1-8

A

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 

B

And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” Then He said to me, “ It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. 

C

I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

 

Background

The new heaven and earth reveal not only a transformed creation but an entirely new life free from death, sorrow, and pain. At its heart stands the New Jerusalem, the bride of Christ—saints who endured faithfully and now shine as the crown jewel of creation. Christ rules with strength while His bride reflects healing and comfort, together forming God’s eternal dwelling among His people. Entry into the holy city is not bought but granted to those who live with steadfast righteousness and selfless love. True inhabitants seek the good of others, and the highest calling is sacrificial living, mirroring Christ Himself. Today’s devotion reminds us that only those who are selflessly contributing to their families and communities will dwell in the New Jerusalem.

 

Observation

A

The new heaven and earth signify not just a new physical state (there is no longer any sea), but also a new form of life that has never been seen in the history of creation (there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain).

The holy city (New Jerusalem) symbolizes the bride of Christ, in whom He takes great pride as He adorns His wife. Indeed, the wife of Christ stands as the crown jewel of all of creation. The bride consists of saints who have walked faithfully and joyfully with Christ despite overwhelming tribulations.

It is important to note that the mention of the new heaven and earth alongside the bride of Christ carries profound significance. The emergence of the bride of Christ is what heralds the arrival of the new heaven and earth. The bride embodies the feminine attributes of God, while Christ represents the masculine aspect where He rules with an iron scepter. The feminine nature is exemplified by the holy city, which serves as a source of comfort, a residence for the saints.

B

This paragraph describes what the new heaven and earth is like. Christ and His bride serve as a tabernacle amidst the people. Christ is the musculine ruler and protector, while the bride embodies the feminine healer and comforter. The words: “I am making all things new” guarantees that the cycle of creation and destruction will ultimately cease. Alpha represents the creator of the first heaven and earth, whereas Omega signifies the creator of the new heaven and earth where righteousness and abundance dwell.

C

This paragraph serves as an invitation for all to dwell in the holy city. Who are those who thirst for the water of life? These are the ones who are perpetually longing to live in a place where kindness and selflessness prevails. A place that requires no law enforcement to keep the inhabitants in check. A place where the happiness of another translates into one’s own happiness. Where are those who are self-serving, who oppress those who do not fight back? They are forever cast away into the lake of fire.

The right to dwell in the city cannot be bought with money. Rather, it is given to one who remains steadfast in righteousness and kindness, even in a world where the unrighteous and unkind are consistently rewarded.

 

Truth

Only those who are selflessly contributing to their families and communities will dwell in the New Jerusalem.

The inhabitants of the holy city have a singular focus; to fulfil the vision of the new heaven and new earth. Consequently, their daily endeavours will encompass the building and the regenerating of new planetary systems and civilisations. If one is not already making a positive and selfless impact to their family and community, and finding joy and fulfilment in that, they will certainly not be able to fit in. 

Many believers engage in religious practices that, in reality do not benefit their families and communities. They may possess considerable knowledge and expertise in religious matters, yet they often add to the challenges and burdens faced by their families and communities. Their primary motivation in all their endeavours is self-benefit, aiming to gain entry into heaven.

Individuals residing in the holy city are motivated by the wellbeing of others. Therefore, they do not need incentives or laws to guide their actions. If a person finds joy solely in their own salvation rather than in the salvation of others, then, he is not ready to enter the holy city. That said, there exists a group that distinguishes itself from all the inhabitants of the holy city. They are not the inhabitants of the holy city but are the holy city itself. Such do not only make their respective contributions, they have sacrificed themselves for the wellbeing of all, just as their bridegroom did.

 

Application

• Practice selfless contribution. Only works done out of selflessness will be remembered in heaven. Begin your selfless contributions in the family, then in the church and in the workplace.
• Embrace the highest calling of the bride. Let us go beyond contribution into complete self-giving which is the Bridegroom Himself.

 

Prayer

Dear Lord, shape my heart in selfless love. Teach me to serve family, church, and community with joy, reflecting Christ’s sacrifice, that I may be found worthy to dwell in Your holy city. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.