“I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea… and no more death, mourning, crying or pain” (Rev. 21:1-4).
“Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst… For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water” (Rev.7:16-17).
Lord Jesus, we adore you for many well-founded grace-saturated reasons. But rather than just offering a generic “thank you” we want to be specific. Though there are scores more, here are “7 no more’s and never again’s” we’ll enjoy in fullness at your return.
No more “sea“: Jesus, you haven’t secured a “beach-less” eternity for us but a “broken-less” one—an evil void, sin eradicated, all-things-new” forever. Glory! In the Book of Revelation, the “sea” represents everything that contradicts your truth, goodness, and beauty—and all that stuff will be gone. The new heaven and new earth will have beaches, indeed. Hallelujah!
No more “death, mourning, crying, pain”: Jesus, you defeated death and pain at your first coming and will eliminate them at your return. Thank you! We will never again experience death or pain in any form—no more physical, emotional, spiritual, mental, societal, relational, environmental death or pain.
No more “hunger and thirst” of any variety: Jesus, thank you for setting an expiration date on hunger and thirst—physical, spiritual, and relational. All knowing and loving you in part will be over (Hallelujah!)—along with all poverty and privation, loneliness and disconnect. Our endless thirst for intimacy and ravaging hunger for wonderful relationships will be over-satisfied.
Jesus, you shepherd us now, and you will shepherd us then. Hallelujah what a Savior you are! Hallelujah, what a salvation you freely and fully give us! So Very Amen
