Text: Revelation 21:3-4

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.   4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;  and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:  for the former things are passed away.   

Sunday, 11^th August 2024

OUR SUFFERING WILL END IN JOY

Text: Revelation 21:3-4

Memory verse: Isaiah 25: 8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.

No matter how deeply we ache now, suffering has an expiration date: “I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, look, God’s home is now among his people. He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever”.

Our hard times won’t just get better, hardship will completely cease to exist someday. This is not wishful imagination. It’s an unshakeable promise of a real day when we’ll live with God and experience His complete restoration in heaven. There will be no more sin or brokenness, no more fear, loss or grief. There will just be freedom, joy, and wholeness forever.

God’s loving hands have been around His children from the beginning of time, and His plan of victory and redemption through His Son has never wavered. Our path may lead through suffering for a while, but God is with His people every step of the way, tenderly caring for us, giving us refuge, growing our strength, hearing our hearts, drawing us into community and leading us toward complete wholeness. Until our permanent healing comes, we can continue to find the steady light of hope in His Word.

There shall be no more death because there shall be a general resurrection. In 1 Corinthians 15:26, Apostle Paul says, "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." But death cannot be destroyed by simply saying no more death; death can only be destroyed and defeated by a general resurrection; if there be no general resurrection, it is most evident that death will still retain his empire. Therefore, the fact that there shall be no more death assures the fact that there shall be a general resurrection; and this also is a proof that, after the resurrection, there shall be no more death.  

Matthew 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him. After this experience, Jesus began his public ministry, which was full of powerful preaching, healing, miracles, and the casting out of demons. The baptism in the Holy Spirit makes God’s power available to you. Although you’re not automatically transformed into a victorious Christian, you will experience increasing victory as you draw out His power by faith. The Holy Spirit does not just give us comfort; He can do much more in our lives, including teaching us and testifying to us of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is our power source, and it is through Him that we see miracles, healings, joy and much more.

Whether you hope for encouragement, miracles, or knowledge, look to the Holy Spirit. He is more soothing and refreshing than any temporary comfort this world can offer. His power always flows and can overcome pain in this world.

CGDS Hymn 17; SS & S 23;

TO GOD BE THE GLORY, GREAT THINGS HE HATH DONE 

 Prayers 

1.  Lord Jesus, show me the joy that should follow my sufferings.

2.  LORD God Almighty, reveal Your glory in me regardless of all the suffering around in Jesus’ name. Amen.    

3.  Pray for others in this regard.