“He said to me: ‘It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars–their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.’ “
Revelation 21:6-8

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God is the Creator of all things. He initiated the universe according to His plan. If the “Big Bang” theory is plausible, then God touched off the bang. In the beginning was God.

But God is not only the originator—He is also the finisher. God is continuously working out His perfect will within creation and, in doing so, will bring the entire universe to its ultimate fulfillment and purpose.

And what is this ultimate purpose? Creation and Creator living together in the Holy City. Anyone who is thirsty will drink from the hand of God without cost. This water will be from the spring of life; we will be more alive here than ever before. This is the inheritance God has for God’s children.

But for those who choose to set themselves against God there is a different story. They have not only rejected God but have violated their fellow humans. Their influence has been destructive, and they have reaped a harvest of death.

In reading these chilling lines I find myself asking questions. “Have I been cowardly, unbelieving, vile? Have I been angry with a brother, looked on someone lustfully, put anything before God, or misrepresented the truth?” Honestly, the answer would have to be “Yes.” So how can I look forward to this day?

I am more guilty than I can even acknowledge, but my sin was paid for at the cross; with the help of the Spirit, I have turned my life not against God but submitted myself to God. I am forgiven. No one deserves entrance into the Holy City. But neither will anyone who desires God be turned away.

Questions for reflection and discussion:

  • How would you describe your hope of eternal life to someone else?
  • The gospel is a combination of good news and bad news. How would you articulate both aspects of God’s truth in a gospel conversation?

Church Reading Plan: Isaiah 22; 2 Peter 3