The Hope of No More Sin & Its Consequences
No longer will there be any curse. Revelation 22:3a “Please, Lord, hasten this Day!” Try to imagine what it’s going to be like to have every expression of sin and its consequences removed from us and the universe forever! Here’s the logic of John’s grand affirmation: When Jesus comes back the judgment and limitations that God placed upon his people and his creation because of sin will be gone forever (Genesis 3:14-19). There will be no more curse because there will be no more occasion for judgment!
Think of it this way. When Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden before the fall, it was possible not to sin. After the fall, when God’s shalom was violated by sin and death entering and breaking all things, it was not possible not to sin. After Jesus comes back to finish making all things new, it will be not be possible to sin. Let’s say that in another way. After we are glorified at the second coming of Jesus it will be impossible for us to sin ever again! “Wo, Nellie!” as Keith Jackson the great sports commentator used to say. That’s the best news imaginable!
This means that, in word, thought and deed, we will only love God and one another perfectly, forever! It also means that every consequence of sin will be forever gone. No one and nothing will ever be broken again. How dare we even speak in such glorious terms? Only because Jesus has already exhausted God’s judgment against our sin upon the cross. He was cursed that we might be blessed. He took the full consequences of our covenant breaking that the full blessings of life in a new heaven and new earth will be ours forever. And here’s what’s really staggering. Though we will have to wait for the second coming to be glorified-that is to be made perfect in love, we are ALREADY as justified as we will ever be! Today we say, sing and dance… there is NOW, therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ! Indeed, “Please Lord, hasten this Day!”
