Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
Have you ever noticed how everything seems to be going great and then there is the last line. The new Jerusalem comes down out of heaven. It is perfect and holy. It is fabulous! God is going to be your God and you are going to be his people. God offers you the spring of the water of life. God is going to wipe away your tears. THEN: "But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death." Sad news.
So who are you? Are you cowardly or detestable? Have you told a lie? Do you find hatred or violence in your heart or mind? Do you believe in God with your full heart and mind? For most of us, we can find ourselves in these categories. This does not sound like good news. You are going to find your portion in the lake that burns. Does the Second Death have any authority over you?
Christ Jesus has died to pay the price for your sins. He died so that you would not have to face the second death. God sent his son to save you from your sins. God raised him from the dead claiming victory over Death. "The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my Son." Jesus Christ, the Son of God, makes you a son of God also. He offers you life giving water. He makes you part of the New Jerusalem. He has made this perfect place to dwell.
Christ Jesus died for your forgiveness. He redeemed you from the Second Death and it has no Authority over you in Christ Jesus.
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