REVELATION 21:1-4: “Then 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. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I 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. He 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.” NLT
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OBSERVATION: Will climate change be the doom of the planet? Is the future of mankind bleak and without hope? Will the oceans flood our cities and cause death and destruction on a wide scale?

Dear Greta – Don’t fear! There is a new world coming!

As a believer who holds God’s Word as the source of absolute truth, I view our future differently than many do. I have empathy for those who look at the future of this world without a firm faith and foundation in God. The planet has become their god and they worship it as if it held the only hope for mankind.

There are two observations that I would like to note in these verses. First, the world will not perish because of a massive flood caused by climate change. And, second, there is a new world coming for all those who believe!

The world that everyone hopes for is truly coming. It will be a world that is filled with peace and harmony. Listen to the words of the Apostle John as he records the wonder of this new world.

• “Then 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. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.”

There will be an end to this existing world. However, it will not be caused by climate change. It will end with God’s judgment, the return of Jesus Christ, and the re-creation of a new heaven and earth. The re-creation of heaven and earth will make this current world pale in comparison.

This is the world we all hope for! This is the world we all dream of! It is a world filled with life, hope, peace, and security. There will be no more riots in the street, no more nations engaged in war, and most importantly – God will live among us in all of His glory and power! It is God’s presence that will change the world!

• “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. He 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.”

There is nothing that man can do to change the outcome of God’s transformation of our world. Man cannot derail God’s plan by carbon emissions. Man cannot change God’s plan through military might and domination. The end of this world is certain and the beginning of His new creation is imminent. So, if man cannot do anything about it – what can he do?

HE CAN GET READY FOR THIS BLESSED DAY!

Not everyone will enter into this new heaven and earth. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will enter into God’s eternal kingdom. John writes,

• “All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. “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.” Revelation‬ ‭21:7-8‬ ‭NLT‬

The victorious are the ones who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. Those who will face eternity separated from God’s eternal kingdom are listed. I find it interesting that this does not start with a list of heinous sins. It starts with two classifications – the cowardly (or fearful) and the unbelieving. You don’t have to be a hardened criminal to miss God’s kingdom. All you have to do is live in fear and unbelief!

When this world is your only hope, you will live in fear. When God is your eternal hope, you will live in faith and expectation. The cries of an angry and frightened world will not dissuade you. Your eyes will be set on the blessed hope of Christ’s return and the ushering in of the new heavens and the new earth! You will look for the day when death will be no more.

I believe that those who are walking in this hope have the greatest ability to make our current world a better place as we wait for Christ’s return. We cannot usher in utopia, only Jesus can. However, we can impact our world one person at a time and spread the hope of salvation and the blessed assurance of Christ’s return. We will be able to engage in making our world a better place because we will not be cowering in fear. We will boldly live each day to the fullest as we look up and wait for our redemption!

Lord, this morning I find myself looking up! As I abide in Your presence, grant me the strength to live my life to the fullest as I wait for Your return. Help me to share Your love with others, help those who are in need, and do everything I can to make this world a better place. Give me the grace to point others to this hope that is an anchor through all the storms of life!

In Jesus Name!