All Things New
Jesus said, “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” Revelation 21:5. Every person likes new things. Having new things keeps our economy moving. We often become bored with the old things and buy new ones. Even antique collectors buy new things! God makes things new! We look into Genesis 1 and Revelation 21, and we discover that new things have been given. What are some of these new things?
First, God makes things new when Christ is received. John 1:12 states, “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” Those who received Him, Jesus gave the right to obey the commands to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, Mark 16:16, repent of their sins, Acts 2:38, confess Him as the Son of God, Acts 8:37-38, and to be immersed into Christ for the remission of sins, Acts 2:38. Christ offers the new life and the power to become a Christian. A sinner comes to faith by hearing the Word of God, Romans 10:17. The old things are passed away. Paul wrote, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. The one who becomes a new creature is forgiven. The things of the world that were loved by the old man lose their appeal. It also means that one has a new hope and a promise of a new heavenly home. The new Christian has a new understanding of spiritual things.
Second, when God makes a promise, He fulfills it. He made all things new. After the cross, there was a new covenant, Hebrews 9:15, a new church, Ephesians 2:15, obedient believers become new creatures, 2 Corinthians 5:17, possessors of a new life, Romans 6:3-4, inhabitants of a new life, Revelation 21:2, wear a new name, Isaiah 62:2; Acts 11:26; Revelation 22;4, and sing a new song. Revelation 5:9. What John sees is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies, which describe the New Testament order as a new heaven and a new earth. Isaiah 65:17-25; 66:1-24; See 2 Peter 3:13. There was the Old Testament order of worship. This order of service prevailed for fifteen hundred years until Jesus by His death on the cross changed things by putting an end to the Law of Moses. Romans 7:1-7. Under the New Testament order, service is directed to God (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2. The service that is performed in the New Jerusalem which on earth is the church of Christ. Revelation 21:22; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 2:19-22; Hebrews 8:1-6; 1 Peter 2:5. The spiritual service performed by Christians under the law of Christ is so new and different that it was considered the creation of “new heaven and a new earth.” Since the “new heaven” and “new earth” symbolizes the New Testament order, then it follows that the “first heaven and the first earth” symbolizes the Old Testament order which was abolished.
Third, God will make things new when Christ returns. Paul wrote, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 2 Thessalonians 4:16-17. Everything will become new for faithful Christians. The physical dead in Christ will be resurrected from their graves. They will have new bodies that are like the body of the Christ. John wrote, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2. Living Christians will be caught up to be with Christ forever. Paul wrote, “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:51. They will be changed to be like Jesus in an instant. Paul also wrote, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” 1 Corinthians 15:52-53.
Then those who physically and spiritually death will be raised. Listen to Jesus closely. Jesus said, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” John 5:28-29. There will be no rapture, seven years of tribulation, nor a millennial reign as many people and religious groups teach.
Bobby D. Gayton