How can we prepare for the fulfillment of Revelation 21:1 in our lives? The Promise at a Glance Revelation 21:1: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; the first heaven and earth had passed away.” Why It Matters Today • God is literally replacing the present order with one free from sin, decay, and death (Isaiah 65:17). • Our citizenship is already “in heaven” (Philippians 3:20), so our priorities now should match our future home. • Everything temporary is on countdown (1 John 2:17); eternal realities alone will last. Practices That Prepare Our Hearts 1. Fix Your Hope on the Coming World • “Set your hearts on things above” (Colossians 3:1-2). • Daily thank God for the certain future, silencing fear and discouragement. 2. Pursue Personal Holiness • 2 Peter 3:11-12 urges us to “live holy and godly lives” because the old creation will dissolve. • Confess sin quickly (1 John 1:9) and choose obedience; holiness today aligns us with tomorrow’s purity. 3. Invest in What Endures • “Store up treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-21). • Give generously, serve faithfully, and spend time on relationships that bear eternal fruit. 4. Witness Boldly • God “desires all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). • Share the gospel so others can inhabit the new heaven and new earth with you. 5. Worship Wholeheartedly • Practice now what will fill eternity (Revelation 5:13). • Gather regularly with believers, sing truth, and let worship reshape your outlook. 6. Cultivate Perseverance and Comfort • Present sufferings are “not comparable with the glory to be revealed” (Romans 8:18). • Encourage one another with the hope of renewal (1 Thessalonians 4:18) when trials intensify. 7. Live Gratefully under an Unshakable Kingdom • “We are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken” (Hebrews 12:28). • Gratitude fuels steadfast service, anchoring us while the current world trembles. Daily Reflection Checklist □ Did I meditate on my future home? □ Did I reject sin and choose holiness? □ Did my time, money, and words invest in eternity? □ Did I share gospel hope with someone? □ Did worship fill my heart? □ Did I endure today’s trials by looking to tomorrow’s glory? By practicing these rhythms, we live as citizens of the coming new heaven and new earth, ready for Revelation 21:1 to move from promise to reality. |
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