One of the greatest facts in all the Bible! Revelation 21:5 tells us, with God Himself delivering the Message: “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.”
The first verb in the sentence (in English) is “sat,” revealing God’s “posture” as He rules the world. This word is expressed in the present tense in Greek, God is constantly sitting on His Throne! There will NEVER be a second when He is not “in control!”
Then the word “behold” is a verb, too, a command (imperative mood). Meaning something like: “Look, don’t miss this!” Be alert, be aware!
God then claims to “make” (in Greek “poieo” with an emphasis on order and beauty) “all things new!” This again is a present tense verb, active voice. God is RIGHT NOW in the process of making things “new.” Perhaps “New Jerusalem” in under construction, this very second! (As in the six days of creation.)
And the adjective “new” translates “kainos,” used 44 times in the New Testament. Each of those times the word is expressed (in the King James Version) as “new.” But in the sense of being “fresh, unused, unworn, recent!”
This subtly implies the scientific law of “atrophy,” that things in this old sin-cursed world are “wearing out,” aging, being depleted.
So eternity for us not only includes a new earth. And a New Heaven. Plus a New Jerusalem! There’s even more! God is making all things “new!” No doubt cleansing His creation from the “taint” of sin.
But not only is God busy doing this … He too wants us to know! To be aware what’s “planned” for the Believer in Christ! ” The Lord to John: ““And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” Revelation 21:5b, today’s text.
“Write” is (obviously) an imperative verb, another command. (Once the Prophet Daniel was told NOT TO WRITE! (Daniel 12:4 … “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end ….”) In Revelation 10:4 John himself was given this unusual order concerning “seven thunders!”
BUT NOW GOD WANTS US TO BE AWARE! To encourage us, I suspect. “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.”
God’s Speeches are always “true” and faithful.” After all, He can not lie (Titus 1:2). These two adjectives are somewhat parallel in meaning. “True” (in Greek “alethinos” meaning “unable to forget”) and “faithful” (“pistos” meaning “trustworthy”) are attributes (traits, characteristics) of God’s very Essence, His very Being.
I close our study today CONFIDENTLY. Believing with all my heart what Revelation 21:5 has promised. One day, all things will be made new!
That’s God!
He is awesome, but beautiful!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell