Glimpses of Eternity 

We live in a world where everything feels temporary. People come and go. Health fades. Success is fleeting. Even the moments we treasure most are over far too quickly. But deep in our souls, we long for something more permanent. Something unshakeable. Something that doesn’t rust, decay, or vanish. And for the follower of Jesus, that something is not a vague hope, it’s a solid, blood-bought promise. Revelation 21:1–8 pulls back the curtain on the final chapter, showing us the beautiful assurance that eternity with Christ is not only real, it’s certain.

John, in his vision, writes of a new heaven and a new earth. He says the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. This isn’t poetry. This is reality, coming reality. The world as we know it will one day give way to something entirely new. No more chaos. No more division. No more corruption. Just perfection, crafted by the Creator Himself.

Then comes this breathtaking picture: the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down from heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. God is not distant. He’s not waiting on the edges of eternity with folded arms. No, He is coming to dwell with us. Not just in a symbolic sense, but fully, physically, forever. “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.”

That is the heartbeat of eternity, God with us. Not just in part. Not veiled by human flesh as He was in Jesus during His earthly ministry. But unveiled glory. Perfect fellowship. Unbroken intimacy. Can you even imagine? All the things that separate us from God now, our sin, our distractions, our doubts, they’ll be gone. Erased. And in their place will be the fullness of His presence.

And this isn’t just a nice thought to encourage us on a bad day. It’s the anchor for our souls. Revelation 21 tells us plainly: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” That is not an exaggeration. That is divine commitment. Every source of sorrow, every moment that’s made you groan inwardly, is being undone. The Lamb who died will wipe your tears away with His own hand.

What makes this promise so powerful is who it’s coming from. “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’” This is not some angel or prophet offering encouragement. This is the One who sits on the throne. The Alpha and the Omega. The Beginning and the End. He doesn’t say, I might make things new. He says, I am. It’s already in motion. The cross set it in motion. The resurrection guaranteed it. And now, we wait—not with fear, but with certainty.

To the thirsty, Jesus says, “I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.” It’s free. Paid for in full. Not earned. Not bought with our efforts. Simply received. That’s grace. And to those who overcome—those who cling to Christ no matter what, who keep the faith through hardship and trial, He says, “They will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.” That’s the assurance we stand on.

But this passage doesn’t shy away from the sober reality either. There is a warning. A real warning. “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile… their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulphur.” We can’t ignore this. Eternity is not just about the joy of heaven—it’s also about the justice of God. And that makes the cross all the more urgent. Because Jesus didn’t just come to offer a nicer version of our lives now. He came to rescue us from judgment. He bore that fire, that wrath, so we could drink living water instead.

So, the question is simple: Are you living as if this is real? Like this promise is more certain than your next breath? Because it is. One day soon, the sky will open, and the trumpet will sound, and the King will return. Everything else will vanish in light of that day. So let’s not waste our lives on things that are passing away. Let’s live with eyes fixed on the city that’s coming. Let’s thirst for Him, trust Him, and overcome in His strength.

Because the day is coming when we’ll stand face to face with the One who loved us to death—and raised us to life. And on that day, every sacrifice will be worth it. Every tear will be redeemed. Every moment of faith will echo in eternity. This isn’t just hope. It’s assurance. Eternity with Christ is not only possible—it’s promised. And it’s coming.