Read Revelation 21:1-5 in your personal Bible or at the link provided.
Review
1. How is the setting of these verses described?
2. With whom will God make His home?
3. What does He promise to wipe away and remove?
Reflect
Today’s verses describe a vision of heaven, showing us the ultimate purpose of Jesus, which is redemption. His purpose is to usher in a new heaven and new earth, a home with God. For most world religions, the mentality is that the physical world is bad, and we’re waiting to be beamed out of here.
Christianity says something unique. It says that all are welcome. “For God so loved the world” (John 3:16). It’s not a story of escaping. It’s a call to follow Jesus and live for the purpose of redemption – to bring heaven to earth, to go and tell the world. Not to shrink back but to evangelize to the lost and hurting. We aren’t pointing fingers at anyone. We’re pointing towards Jesus.
His orders are clear: Go and make disciples, baptize them, teach them, and remember that God is always with you (Matthew 28:18-20). We’re flawed human beings, but we’ve been filled with the Holy Spirit to do the miraculous. Let’s step into the purpose of renewing all things, on earth as it is in heaven.
Respond
• How do you typically think of heaven? Is it a place you want to just escape to, or do you see it as a place of redemption that you can invite others to?
• Who do you cross paths with who needs the hope and redemption of Jesus? Is there a particular place or person you’re burdened for?
• How can you bring heaven to earth in the places you regularly find yourself?
Pray through these questions, and write down what God is prompting you to do next. Share with a friend, and take a step to apply it.
Want to go deeper? Visit the Traders Point app or this link to see our recommended resources for this week’s topic. If you want to catch Sunday’s message again, you can find it here.