No More Tears | Revelation 21 | 5 Devotions on New Covenant Reality and Hope
Welcome to a week of reflection on the greatest promise in Scripture!
In our sermon on Revelation 21, we discovered the glorious truth: the New Covenant makes the old ways obsolete, culminating in the permanent, perfect dwelling of God with His people.
This week, don't just recall the sermon—go deeper. This 5-day devotional plan takes the core themes of fulfillment, assurance, and the end of suffering, pairing them with powerful supporting scriptures from Genesis, Isaiah, and Hebrews.
Day 1: God’s Dwelling Place
📖 Scripture: Revelation 21:3; Genesis 3:8-10
💡 Reflection: The story of the Bible begins with God walking with humanity and ends with God dwelling with humanity. The pages in between are the story of separation and reconciliation. In Genesis, humanity hides from God's presence out of fear and shame. In Revelation, God declares His presence is permanent. If you are in Christ, the wall of separation is gone, and you are positioned to live in eternal, fearless fellowship with your Creator.
🙏 Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for fulfilling the longing of all ages. Thank You that the great page count between the Fall and the New Creation is a story of Your faithfulness. Help me to live today with the confidence that the separation is over and Your dwelling place is secure with Your people. Amen.
Day 2: The End of Suffering
📖 Scripture: Revelation 21:4; Isaiah 25:6-8
💡 Reflection: The New Covenant promise of no more tears is not a new idea; it is the glorious culmination of prophetic hope, rooted in Isaiah. John's vision confirms that the work of Christ (the Lamb) is the fulfillment of this prophecy. The depth of restoration means not just relief from suffering, but the eradication of the source of suffering. When you face grief or pain today, remember that these experiences are temporary remnants of a reality that is finished for those in Christ.
🙏 Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for conquering death and the curse. I confess that the pain and grief of this world often overwhelm me. Strengthen my heart today with the sure hope that the source of my tears has been removed, and one day, You will personally wipe them away. Amen.
Day 3: The Obsolescence of the Temple
📖 Scripture: Revelation 21:22-23; Hebrews 8:1-2
💡 Reflection: The Temple, with its priests, sacrifices, and rituals, was merely a type and shadow pointing toward the ultimate reality. That ultimate reality is Jesus Christ. He is the "true tent"—the true dwelling place of God with humanity. Because our perfect High Priest (Jesus) has entered the heavenly sanctuary and sits on the throne, the earthly temple became obsolete. You don't need a mediator on earth; you have the eternal, perfect Lamb as your access, your sanctuary, and your constant light.
🙏 Prayer: Lord, forgive me for the times I seek out my own 'temples'—ways to earn Your favor or feel closer to You through my own efforts. Remind me that You are the only Temple I need. Thank You for the uninterrupted fellowship and clarity I have through the perfect light of the Lamb. Amen.
Day 4: The City’s Identity
📖 Scripture: Revelation 21:12-14; Ephesians 2:19-20
💡 Reflection: John's vision uses the symbolism of twelve twice to show the spiritual completeness of the New Covenant people. The gates (Old Israel) and the foundations (New Testament Apostles) confirm that there is one unified people of God—the Church, the Bride. This image of unity and foundation assures us that our faith is not built on shifting sands but on the enduring foundation of God's promises through all of history, with Christ as the Cornerstone.
🙏 Prayer: Holy God, thank You for grafting me into Your eternal plan of redemption. Thank You that the Church is one unified body, built upon the testimony of the prophets and apostles. Help me to live in the purity and unity that befits Your perfected Bride. Amen.
Day 5: The Guarantee of Final Purity
📖 Scripture: Revelation 21:27; Romans 8:38-39
💡 Reflection: Verse 27 is the final guarantee of security. The things that brought shame and ruin in the world—falsehood, detestable acts, and uncleanness—are permanently barred. This is possible because our entry is based solely on the Lamb's Book of Life. Our eternal security rests not on the frail purity of our effort but on the finished, substitutionary purity of Christ. Nothing can separate those whose names are written in that Book. This is the source of our deepest peace.
🙏 Prayer: Almighty Father, thank You for the certainty of my salvation. I humble myself before the truth that nothing unclean can enter, and I know that apart from Christ, that would exclude me. Thank You for the free gift of the water of life and for writing my name in the Book of Life. Help me to live today in the security of Your guaranteed promise. Amen.
Continue the Journey of Assurance
We pray this week's devotions have strengthened your confidence in Christ, the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises.
If you missed any part of this study, or want to review the full message, you can find all previous messages in the series:
Explore the entire Revelation Sermon Series: https://www.edgertonfrc.org/revelation-sermon-archive
Browse our complete Sermon Archive: https://www.edgertonfrc.org/sermons
