What does Revelation 21:5 reveal about God's character and His promises? The Verse at a Glance “Then the One seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said, ‘Write this down, for these words are faithful and true.’ ” (Revelation 21:5) God’s Sovereign Authority • “The One seated on the throne” underscores absolute rule. • Psalm 47:8—“God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne.” • His throne imagery in Revelation guarantees He has both the power and the right to accomplish what follows. A Creator Who Keeps Creating • “I make all things new” points to continual, not merely past, creative power. • Isaiah 43:19—“Behold, I am about to do something new…” echoes this promise. • 2 Corinthians 5:17 applies the same principle now: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” The same God who will renew the cosmos is already renewing hearts. Faithful and True—God’s Character in Two Words • “Faithful”: He never fails to keep His promises (Numbers 23:19). • “True”: His word is completely reliable (John 17:17). • Together they declare that His promises are as unbreakable as His nature. Why the Command to “Write”? • Written revelation locks the promise into permanent record for every generation. • Habakkuk 2:2—“Write down the vision… so that a herald may run with it.” • Scripture itself becomes proof that God wants His people to remember, rehearse, and rely on His vows. Promises Embedded in the Verse • Cosmic renewal: the material universe will be liberated from decay (Romans 8:21). • Personal renewal: believers will receive glorified bodies (Philippians 3:20-21). • Enduring Scripture: every word God authors stands forever (Isaiah 40:8). What This Means for Daily Living • Hope when life is broken—nothing is beyond His ability to remake. • Confidence in Scripture—every promise carries divine backing. • Motivation for holiness—He is already shaping us for a world made new. • Perseverance in trials—the future He guarantees outshines present pain (Romans 8:18). • Worship with assurance—we praise not a distant deity but the King who will finish what He started. The verse showcases a God who reigns, creates, speaks, and keeps His word—inviting every believer to rest in His unshakable promises and anticipate the day when “all things” truly become new. |