"He will wipe away 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)
The Bible does not give us much direct information about heaven, and this is doubtless because heaven will be more glorious than we can presently imagine. However, one thing that is clear from Scripture is that God will be with us, and that there will be no more suffering.
I remember from my early childhood that when I was hurt, I would come into the kitchen and cry to my mother. She would take the corner of her apron and wipe away my tears. There is probably no more intimate gesture a human being can make than wiping away the tears of another person.
When my tears were wiped away as a child, I would be comforted. But the tears always came back later on when I would be hurt again. In this life the tears will come again and again for each of us. What John shows us here in Revelation, however, is that when God comes to be with us in the world to come. He will wipe away our tears permanently. There will be no death, no mourning, no sickness, no sorrow, and no tears in heaven.
The old order will pass away. The world of pain and suffering will be gone. God Himself pronounces, “I am making everything new!” This is not a philosophical deduction; it is a promise from the King of Kings Himself. Beyond this, He seals His promise by saying, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true” (Revelation 21:5).
Then John is shown the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:10–22:5). In all its glories the basic image that comes through is that of unveiled light. “There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light” (Revelation 22:5). In heaven we will be face-to-face with the light of God Himself.
Throughout the centuries, the firm assurance of heaven has upheld the saints during times of tribulation and suffering. As you look at yourself today, how much real confidence do you feel you have in these promises? Is heaven a reality to you as your future hope? Or does it seem somehow distant and abstract? If so, ask God today to give you a greater sense of the reality of heaven and to enable you to live in the light of its coming glory.
