Revelation 21:1-8 - Everything New and Overcomers

LINK: Revelation 21:1-14 

BACKGROUND

"Behold, I am making all things new . . . It is done!" (Revelation 21:5-6). He will create a new earth (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22; Matthew 19:28; Romans 8:18-21; 2 Peter 3:7-13). There will be a new arrangement of the water. We do not know exactly what it will look like, but the most important thing is that God is moving into the neighborhood and there will be no more sadness or pain or death or mourning (21:4)! Doesn't that thrill you? 

We who overcome have this to look forward to, but for those who do not overcome, there is the second death (See Revelation 20:6).

Here is a summary of all that we have learned about "overcomers" from the book of Revelation:

1) Eat from the tree of life (2:7)
2) Escape the lake of fire or second death (2:11)
3) Receive a special name (2:17)
4) Have authority over the nations (2:26)
5) Included in the book of life (3:5)
6) Are a pillar in God's spiritual temple (3:12)
7) Sit with Christ on His throne (3:21)

REFLECTION

Let's review what I have already written about "overcome/overcomers" (a keyword in the book) in previous posts:

If we believe that Jesus is the Son of God, we already have the victory (nike) to overcome (1 John 5:4; Revelations 2:7,11,17,26; 3:5,12,21; 21:7) the world because we have the divine nature of God living inside of us (2 Peter 1:4)!

This Greek word for victory is nike (pronounced NEE-kay, not the way we pronounce the sports brand). Nike was the Greek goddess of victory. Jesus is the GOD of victory! We do not do this by faith in ourselves but faith in Christ who overcame the world (John 16:33)!

The overcomers are those who "hold fast their faith even unto death against the power of their foes, and temptations and persecutions" (Enhanced Strong's Lexicon, G3528, Revelation 2)

All true believers are overcomers (1 John 5:4-5). Let's stand firm to the end (Mark 13:13)!

APPLICATION 

We are only going through the first part of Revelation 21 today, but before you finish. Please try the LOYOLA METHOD (I know called it Imaginative Contemplation) as you read through the whole chapter. It is really fun!

PRAYER

Lord, I cannot wait to live with You in the new heaven and new earth!!! Amen.