Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." (Revelation 21:1-5)
The unbelieving world ridicules the idea of Christian hope as a mere fantasy. It seems foolish to many because of the proliferation of wars, chaos, and political tension across the globe. In this sermon on Revelation 21:1 Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones teaches us that hope is a main characteristic of the Gospel itself and is the message of the Bible. Hope is an anchor for our souls in the midst of chaos, not a reason for cynicism and disbelief. Dr. Lloyd-Jones encourages our hearts with the reminder that while the Gospel is immediately pessimistic it is ultimately, and gloriously, optimistic. We are reminded to set our eyes on the things of heaven as we await the New Heaven and New Earth.