“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
–Revelation 21:4

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Annotation: This verse speaks of the ultimate hope for believers—when God will fully restore all things, wiping away sorrow and pain.

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Note: The promise of future restoration offers comfort in the midst of current sadness.

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Context:

This verse is part of Revelation 21, where the apostle John is given a vision of the new heaven and the new earth. This vision comes after the final judgment and marks the beginning of God's eternal reign with His people. The passage is a picture of the hope and comfort that believers can look forward to in the eternal state, where God's ultimate victory over sin, suffering, and death will be fully realized.
 

Breaking Down the Verse:

1. "He will wipe every tear from their eyes..."

   • This imagery expresses the personal and intimate care of God for His people. God Himself, in His perfect compassion, will comfort and heal His people. The act of wiping away tears is a tender gesture, symbolizing God's love and His desire to remove all sorrow.
      

   • This indicates that in the eternal kingdom, there will be no more grief or sorrow—God will personally bring an end to every source of pain.
      

2. "There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain..."

   • These are the consequences of sin and fallen humanity. Death, mourning, crying, and pain are all part of the broken world we currently live in, a world marred by sin and its effects. However, in the new heaven and new earth, these things will be completely eradicated.
      

   • The phrase emphasizes that God's redemptive work will finally be complete—death and suffering will no longer have any place in God's perfect, eternal kingdom.
      

3. "For the old order of things has passed away."

   • This refers to the former state of existence, which is characterized by sin, suffering, and death. The "old order" has been replaced with something new. This is a dramatic and total transformation in which the old fallen world is no longer present. The new creation is marked by peace, joy, and the uninterrupted presence of God.
      

   • This passing away of the old order signals the end of all the consequences of sin and the beginning of God's perfect rule.
      

Key Themes:

1. The End of Suffering:

   • Revelation 21:4 highlights the complete end of suffering in the presence of God. The things that cause us the most pain—death, sorrow, and pain—will be completely removed. This is a promise of comfort for all believers who experience suffering and grief in this life.
      

2. God’s Compassion:

   • The image of God wiping away tears portrays His deep compassion and care. He does not remain distant from our pain but will be personally involved in healing and comforting His people. This is a vivid picture of God’s loving relationship with His people, where He tenderly responds to their needs.
      

3. The New Creation:

   • The new heaven and new earth represent the ultimate restoration of God’s creation. Where there was once sin and brokenness, there will now be perfect peace and wholeness. This is a hope-filled vision for the future, offering believers assurance that God will make all things new (Revelation 21:5).
      

4. The Defeat of Death:

   • Death and mourning are consequences of the Fall of mankind (Genesis 3). But in Revelation 21:4, these things are forever abolished. Eternal life with God will be marked by immortality and perfect peace. The ultimate victory over death has been secured through Christ.
      

5. The Promise of Eternity with God:

   • The ultimate hope for Christians is not just the cessation of suffering, but being in the uninterrupted presence of God forever. The promise is that in the eternal state, God will dwell with His people (Revelation 21:3), and all the pain of this world will be wiped away.
      

Application for Believers:

1. Hope in the Midst of Suffering:

   • This verse offers a profound hope for those who are suffering, grieving, or facing death. While the world is still broken and filled with pain, this verse reminds believers that God’s promises are sure and that there is an eternal future free from suffering and death to look forward to.
      

   • This verse encourages believers to keep their eyes on the eternal hope that is coming, even as they experience temporary hardships in this life.
      

2. Comfort in God’s Presence:

   • The fact that God Himself will personally wipe away tears is a source of immense comfort. It reassures believers that God is actively involved in their lives, even in times of sorrow. The ultimate comfort comes not just in the removal of pain but in being with God, the source of all peace and joy.
      

3. A Call to Endure:

   • For those going through difficult times, this verse encourages them to endure in faith. The suffering and pain of this world are not the final word. God’s victory over all things is guaranteed, and believers can trust that their suffering is temporary compared to the eternal glory that awaits.
      

4. A Vision for the Future:

   • This passage calls believers to live with a long-term perspective. The world we live in is temporary and broken, but God promises a new creation where suffering and death will be eradicated. This should help Christians focus not only on the struggles of the present but also on the eternal joy that awaits them.
      

5. Living in Light of Eternity:

   • As Christians, we are called to live in light of eternity, making decisions that reflect the hope of the new heavens and new earth. Knowing that suffering is temporary and that God will one day wipe every tear should lead us to live faithfully in this world, offering comfort to others and pointing them to the eternal hope found in Christ.
      

Summary:

Revelation 21:4 promises that in the new heaven and new earth, God will bring an end to all suffering, wiping away every tear and eradicating death, mourning, crying, and pain. This is part of God’s ultimate plan to restore and renew all things, where the effects of sin are completely done away with. It is a vision of hope for believers, offering comfort in the midst of present struggles and assuring them of an eternity where they will experience perfect peace in the presence of God. The verse encourages believers to endure through current hardships with the assurance that God's ultimate victory over pain and suffering is coming.

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Additional Information:

Read the full chapter and find more resources at biblegateway.com (external site)>>

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