I. Rev. 21:3-4
A. When God wipes away every tear from their eyes, He will do
this by eliminating these things:
1. No more death-Prov. 12:28, Rev. 20:6 After the destruction
of the world by fire and brimstone-death will not be a factor
for us. Death's power will have been taken away when we inhabit
our new eternal bodies. But most important is the elimination
of the fear of death. If we as Christians will dwell upon this
fact, its fear will not adversely effect our lives now.
2. Nor sorrow-I Thess. 4:13 If hope (Col. 1:5) eliminates sorrow
here in this life concerning those who are asleep, Eternal life,
which is the fulfillment of hope, will eliminate all sorrow!
3. Nor crying-Isaiah 65:19-In talking about the new heavens and
the new earth, Isaiah says that the voice of weeping and the voice
of crying will be heard no longer. The end result is an elimination
of the cause of tears.
4. No more pain-Psalms 25:18- With the saints in eternity, there
will be no sin or need for forgiveness of sin, which will alleviate
the mental and sometimes physical, pain and affliction caused
by sin. Jer. 30:23-Pain will be reserved for the wicked after
the judgment.
5. For the former things have passed away-Matt 24:35-Jesus's promise
to us is that God will wipe away tears when the former things
pass away; but more importantly, his word will not pass away.
His promises are forever. II Peter 3:10-13 Please notice the phrase
"wherein dwelleth righteousness." No need for these
things listed above, because righteousness and eternal life take
their place.
B. I had no information on Wesley Daniel or J. R. Baxter.
II. Verse 1-Read
A. "Lay our burdens down." Matt. 23:2-9-Men lay many
burdens on other men, but Christ helps us with our burdens now
and will eliminate all burdens when we are with him in eternity.
Gal. 6:2-Here we are to bear one another's burdens, but the need
for this will not exist in the new heavens and the new earth.
B. "When we join the saints and wear a robe and crown."
1. Col. 1:2-5 The saints at Colosse were told that they had a
hope laid up for them in heaven. When we also follow the words
of Christ we will join them in heaven! Col. 1:12-13, I Thess.
3:13, II Thess. 1:10, Jude 3, 14- 15, Rev. 14:12.
2. Matt. 27:28-29, I Cor. 9:25, Phil. 4:1, II Tim. 4:8, Rev. 6:11
Jesus was given a robe and a crown by Pilate and the others, and
because he suffered through this humiliation and received a more
glorious crown and robe from the Father-so shall we if we follow
him!
III. Verse 2-Read
A. "When the pearly gates unfold ."-Rev. 21:21-24. The
magnificence of heaven can be seen in this depiction by John.
His human description of this is only to give a glimpse (in our
minds eye) of the true glory of the city. For we, as humans, cannot
completely comprehend the beauty of our eternal home.
B. "When we see the Christ who set the captive free."
I Peter 1:8, Mark 14:62, Luke 4:18. Death and sin are the things
that in this life enslave us. We are all subject to physical death;
but, as we have already said, death will be done away with. Sin
will also be non-existent in the new heaven and the new earth,
so the saints will not be held captive by it.
IV. Verse 3-Read
A. "When we sweetly sing with all the ransomed throng."
1. Rev. 15:3, Rev. 5:9, 10 To be able to sing praises to God while
here in this life is a truly great blessing. How much more glorious
will it be to be able to sing the Song of Moses and the New Song
with the saints that have gone on before!
2. Isaiah 35:10, I Tim. 2:6 The sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which
paid the ransom for all, will redeem those who follow him. Rev.
5:9, I Peter 1:18, 19.
B. "No more partings come to mar that happy song."
Rom. 8:38, Rom. 6:23, II Tim. 2:10- Life with Christ is eternal.
Those things which separate us from the things we love will be
done away with in eternity. Losing a loved one, or parting with
friends because of earth trials or situations, will not be a factor
in our eternal life with Christ.
V. Chorus-Read
A. "Joy for all our fears."-Luke 2:10 Fear gives way
to Joy, when Christ is involved. II Tim. 1:7, Heb. 2:15-18, Heb.
13:6, I John 4:18, 19, Rev. 2:10
B. "When we meet him in that home beyond the sky."-
I Thess. 4:17, II Cor. 5:1