John receives a vision about heaven in Revelation 21:1-8.  He heard a loud voice and it came from the throne (cf. 16:17; 19:5).  So, he receives this information from an unsurpassed authority and unrivaled royalty.  We read the throttling, earth-shattering effect of the infinite God as it were clearing His throat and calling John to rapt attention.  But what does God say to John?  He utters no fewer than six promises about heaven.John heard a promise of relationship (3).  Heaven is a place where we’ll be able to enter the inner courts of God’s presence.  The image of the tabernacle takes us back to the Old Testament, when only the High Priest on one day could come into God’s presence.  John pictures the saved being able to freely and intimately enjoy fellowship with God Himself.  We will see Him, talk with Him, live with Him, and know Him in a way only heaven will permit.

John heard a promise of relief (4).  John stresses that the things that bother us most now will be “no longer.”  They will have passed away.  Emotional and physical pain, wounds of body and spirit, and a hundred hundred different hurts will be no more. The all-powerful God will play an active role in making these hurts permanently past tense.

John heard a promise of renewal (5).  God’s power has already been sufficiently seen.  With unconditional promise and unqualified ability, He says, “I make ALL things new!”  Our built in limitations keep us from being able to comprehend the change from earth to heaven.  Yet, our new home, our new body, our new circumstances–all of it will be new!

John heard a promise of refreshing (6).  It is a HOPEFUL promise, as is proven by Who is giving it.  It is a SATISFYING promise, proven by the imagery describing it–“the water of life.”  It is a HUMBLING promise, as is proven by the way it is given–“freely (or without cost).”  For all that’s unsatisfying about this life, heaven will fill our every longing.

John heard a promise of residence (7).  John speaks of a spiritual inheritance borne of a new and intimate relationship.  I won’t be a stranger, guest, or temporary resident.  Heaven will be my eternal home.

John heard a promise of refuge (8).  Heaven will be wonderful because of who will not and cannot be there.  The child molesters, the perverse, the unfaithful, the rapists, the mass murderers or the atheists won’t be there.  Only the redeemed will be there.

Thank God that because of great texts like Revelation 21:1-8, we can be confident that there is more beyond and that it is beyond our fondest hopes.

–Neal Pollard

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