City Life Starter

I. The Word: Revelation 21:1-4

21 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. ² Then I, John, 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 heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

II.  Study Questions

1. What is the gospel?

2. How did the gospel impact your life?

3. What does the second coming of Christ mean to you?

When I became a christian, salvation in Christ was good news for me.  I remember as a student in college, it was the most exciting news that led me to encounter Christ in a real and tangible way.  I had to share it with others.  Maybe because I understood what God did through Jesus, and what Jesus has done in me.  I recall an overwhelming joy and excitement to share the testimony of His goodness and mercy toward me.  This was good news, that Jesus, the Son of God, would humble Himself to become man, to be sacrificed for the sins of the world, was resurrected on the third day, ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God.

As we conclude our three year campaign of “Story of His Glory,” I would like to remind you that the story of His glory is all about Him and His plan of salvation for humanity.  Next, the story is about us, how we are part of His story and because we are included in His story, we are partakers of His divine plan on earth.  

You remember what I said about Good News?  You are totally right when you share with others about having salvation in Jesus, that is truly good news! I must add that there is more good news that we rarely discuss, the second coming of Jesus, as King of kings and Lord of lords.  What a glorious day that will be, when we see Him, coming down from Heaven to meet us.  The day that “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (21:4) The day that God will make all things new (21:5)!  He is going to restore all things back to where it began, to “In the beginning” (Genesis 1:1, John 1:1).  This is good news that christians can look forward to, the day when He will restore everything.  This is the hope of the gospel, that salvation is in Christ and that through Him we are restored in our relationship with Him.  The future holds His glorious return where we will return to “In the beginning.”  

Let me share with you one of my favorite modern hymns called “In Christ Alone.”  The final reprise of the song helps me to make sense of the world when things seem chaotic and in trouble.  It helps me to put everything in perspective, especially about the future.  I hope you will find these words encouraging and give you hope for what is to come.  

In Christ Alone

“No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.”