There will be no more ...

(Rev. 21:4) “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

As I reflect on this year 2008, I thought about six funeral services that I attended.  It made me to seek eternal life in Heaven more than before.  The Scripture mentions about “a new heaven and a new earth” (Rev.21:1) and “the Holy City, the new Jerusalem” (v.2).  Here, “a new heaven and a new earth” refers to the new world.  And “the Holy City, the new Jerusalem” refers to the ‘Church triumphant’ or ‘Perfect Church’ (Dr. Park).  This perfect triumphant church refers to those believers of the Lord Jesus Christ who overcomes (v.7).  These believers are the ones who are prepared and are ready to meet the Groom Jesus Christ (v.2).  With these victorious believers (the bride the church) God will live with them (v.3).  The dwelling of God is with them (v.3).  This means God’s glorious presence is with them.  And the promise that God has given them is that there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain (v.4).  And the reason why there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain is because God dwells with them (v.3, Dr. Park).  Those with whom God is, there is no death or mourning or crying or pain.  The reason is because God has given us eternal life in Jesus Christ.  To those who believe in Jesus and have eternal life, there is no more death or mourning or crying or pain.  There is only eternal life in the new heaven and the new earth. God will make everything new (v.5).  The old order of things will pass away(v.4).