God's Promise: A New Beginning in Revelation

Summary

Revelation 21 and 22 open a window into God’s ultimate promise: not an end marked by destruction, but a new beginning where everything is made new. The biblical idea of “apocalypse” is not about doom and chaos, but about revelation—God pulling back the curtain to show us what is truly real and lasting. In the midst of the world’s messiness, suffering, and brokenness, God is at work, intentionally creating something beautiful out of the chaos. The longing we feel for a fresh start, for a reset, is not answered by erasing the past, but by God’s power to redeem and transform even the most painful parts of our stories.

The vision of the new Jerusalem is not just about a place, but about a people—a community where every barrier is removed, every outsider is welcomed, and every identity is redefined by belonging to God. In this city, our truest identity is revealed: we are God’s beloved children, chosen and secure, not because of our performance or background, but because of Christ’s work. The security of this new creation is unshakable; the walls are high and thick, yet the gates are always open, because every threat has been banished. There is no more fear, no more pain, no more death—only the safety of God’s presence.

Access to God is no longer limited or mediated by temples or rituals. In the new creation, God himself is the temple, and his presence fills every corner. We are invited into unfiltered, uninterrupted relationship with him, not just someday, but beginning now. The invitation is not merely to “get in,” but to participate—to reign and serve with God, to join in his ongoing work of creation, to find fulfillment and joy in worship that is active, creative, and eternal.

This vision calls for a choice: to live as citizens of God’s kingdom now, to embrace our new identity, security, access, and purpose, and to invite others into this life. The gates are open. The invitation is for all. God is making everything new—including us—and this is not just a future hope, but a present reality that shapes how we live today.

Key Takeaways

- God’s “apocalypse” is not destruction, but revelation. The end God promises is a new beginning, where he redeems and transforms the messiness and pain of our lives into something beautiful. Even in suffering, God is present and at work, inviting us to trust that he is making all things new, not by erasing the past, but by weaving it into his greater story. [03:24]

- Our truest identity is found in belonging to God. In the new Jerusalem, every other label or identity—whether based on our past, our failures, or our culture—falls away. We are defined not by what we have done or what has been done to us, but by God’s declaration: “You are my child.” This identity is secure, unchanging, and available to all who come. [21:09]

- The security God offers is unshakable and free from fear. The imagery of massive walls and ever-open gates in the new Jerusalem shows that nothing can threaten what God has secured. True safety is not found in isolation or self-protection, but in the presence of God, where evil is banished and we are free to live without fear or anxiety. [18:26]

- Full access to God is our present and future reality. No longer do we need temples, rituals, or intermediaries to approach God. Through Jesus, the way is open; we are invited into direct, intimate relationship with God, both now and forever. The barriers of guilt, shame, or distraction can be set aside, because God delights in us and welcomes us into his presence. [22:50]

- Our purpose is to participate in God’s ongoing work of creation. We are not just saved from something, but for something: to reign, serve, and co-create with God in his kingdom. Worship is not passive or limited to singing, but is found in every act inspired by God’s Spirit. Our fulfillment comes from joining God in making all things new, both now and in eternity. [27:10]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:53] - The Promise of a New Creation
[02:07] - Rethinking “Apocalypse”: Revelation, Not Destruction
[03:24] - Messiness, Suffering, and God’s Creative Process
[05:43] - Apocalyptic Vision in Everyday Life
[07:29] - Letting Jesus Into Our Mess
[09:06] - God’s Ongoing Work of Making Things New
[11:05] - The New Jerusalem: A New Beginning
[12:49] - The Bride: God’s People, Not Just a Place
[15:15] - No More Outsiders: Radical Inclusion
[16:43] - Belonging and Identity in God’s Family
[18:26] - Unshakable Security: Walls and Open Gates
[21:09] - Our True Identity as God’s Children
[22:50] - Full Access to God’s Presence
[27:10] - Purpose: Serving and Reigning with God
[31:00] - The Open Invitation: Living as Citizens Now
[34:00] - Prayer and Declaration

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “God Makes All Things New”

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### Bible Reading

Revelation 21:1-7, 16-27; 22:3-5

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### Observation Questions

1. In Revelation 21, what are some of the specific things that God promises will be “no more” in the new creation? (death, grief, crying, pain) [00:53]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the new Jerusalem being described as both a city and a bride? [12:49]
3. What details are given about the walls and gates of the new Jerusalem, and what do they symbolize? [18:26]
4. In Revelation 21:22-23, what is said about the temple and the source of light in the new Jerusalem? [22:50]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that God’s “apocalypse” is not about destruction, but about revelation—God pulling back the curtain to show us what is truly real and lasting. How does this change the way we think about the end times and our current struggles? [03:24]
2. The new Jerusalem is described as a place where every outsider is welcomed and every identity is redefined by belonging to God. What does it mean for someone’s identity to be “fully revealed” as God’s child? [21:09]
3. The gates of the city are always open, yet the city is completely secure. What does this teach us about the kind of security God offers, compared to the ways we usually try to protect ourselves? [18:26]
4. The sermon says that in the new creation, God himself is the temple and his presence fills every corner. What does it mean to have “full access” to God, both now and in the future? [22:50]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon talked about longing for a “reset” or a fresh start, but said that God doesn’t erase our past—he redeems and transforms it. Is there a part of your story or your past that you wish could be erased? How might God want to weave that into something beautiful instead? [03:24]
2. The new Jerusalem is a community where every barrier is removed and every outsider is welcomed. Have you ever felt like an outsider—at church, in your family, or somewhere else? What would it look like for you to embrace or extend radical inclusion this week? [15:15]
3. The sermon said our truest identity is found in belonging to God, not in our performance, background, or what others say about us. What labels or identities are you tempted to hold onto? How can you remind yourself this week that you are God’s beloved child? [21:09]
4. The security God offers is unshakable, and the gates are always open because every threat has been banished. Where do you usually look for security or safety? Is there something you need to let go of in order to trust God’s protection more fully? [18:26]
5. Access to God is no longer limited by temples or rituals. Is there anything (guilt, shame, busyness, distraction) that stands between you and God right now? What is one step you can take this week to enjoy more direct, unfiltered relationship with him? [22:50]
6. The sermon said we are not just “saved from” something, but “saved for” something—to participate in God’s ongoing work of creation. What is one way you can serve, create, or join in God’s work this week, either at church, at home, or in your community? [27:10]
7. The invitation to the new creation is open to all. Is there someone in your life who feels like an outsider or who needs to know that God is making all things new? How can you invite or include them this week? [34:00]

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Devotional

Day 1: God Is Making All Things New
God is not finished with His creation; He is actively at work, even in the midst of suffering and chaos, to bring about a new beginning and a world remade. The pain, brokenness, and messiness we experience are not signs of His absence but are part of the process through which He is making everything new. This hope is not just for the future but changes how we live today, giving us endurance and faithfulness as we trust that God’s promises are faithful and true. No matter how overwhelming life may feel, God’s ultimate plan is to wipe away every tear and bring about a new heaven and a new earth where death, grief, and pain are no more. [00:53]

Revelation 21:1-5 (ESV)
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I 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 the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Reflection: Where in your life do you most long for a fresh start, and how can you invite God into that area today, trusting that He is making all things new even now?


Day 2: You Are Made New in Who You Belong To
In the new Jerusalem, your truest identity is not defined by your past, your failures, or the labels the world gives you, but by your belonging to God as His beloved child. Every other identity—whether based on performance, culture, or status—falls away, and what remains is the unshakeable truth that you are chosen, welcomed, and loved by God. There are no outsiders in God’s kingdom; everyone is invited to belong, regardless of background or history. This new identity is secure and eternal, and nothing can change the fact that you are God’s child, fully accepted and embraced in His family. [21:09]

Revelation 21:6-7 (ESV)
And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.”

Reflection: What labels or past experiences have you allowed to define you, and how can you begin to embrace your true identity as God’s beloved child today?


Day 3: You Are Safe in What God Is Building
God’s new creation is a place of unshakable security, where nothing can threaten or harm you, and where evil is permanently exiled. The massive walls and ever-open gates of the new Jerusalem symbolize a safety that does not require isolation or fear—there is nothing left to threaten or invade, and you are fully protected in God’s presence. This security is not based on circumstances, achievements, or anything the world offers, but on the unbreakable promise of God. Even now, you can rest in the assurance that your safety and future are held in the hands of the One who cannot be shaken. [21:09]

Revelation 21:16-17, 25, 27 (ESV)
The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal. He also measured its wall, 144 cubits by human measurement, which is also an angel’s measurement... And its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there... But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Reflection: What are you currently relying on for your sense of safety, and how can you shift your trust to the unshakable security that God offers?


Day 4: You Have Full Access to God
In the new Jerusalem, there is no temple because God Himself is the temple—His presence is everywhere, and you have unlimited, unfiltered access to Him. No barriers, no distance, and no limitations remain; you are invited to live face to face with God, not just someday, but beginning now through Jesus. The curtain has been torn, and you can boldly approach God with every need, question, and longing. Whatever stands between you and God—guilt, distraction, or fear—can be surrendered, because Jesus has made the way for you to experience the fullness of God’s presence and delight. [21:09]

Revelation 21:22-23; 22:4 (ESV)
And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb... They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

Reflection: What is one thing that is keeping you from drawing near to God today, and how can you take a step to experience His presence more fully?


Day 5: You Are Fulfilled by Serving the One Who Made You
The promise of the new Jerusalem is not just about “getting in,” but about participating in God’s life-giving, joyful work forever. You are not only saved from something, but saved for something—called to serve, worship, and co-create with God as His kingdom priest. This purpose is not boring or distant; it is deeply fulfilling, meaningful, and joyful, as you partner with God in making all things new. Even now, you are invited to live as a faithful witness, loving, serving, and bringing God’s kingdom to earth, knowing that your work with Him is both your calling and your greatest joy. [21:09]

Revelation 22:3-5 (ESV)
No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

Reflection: In what ways can you actively serve God and others today, participating in His work of making all things new right where you are?

Quotes

These are the messy first stages, the growing pains or the birth pains, as Scripture would say, of Revelation, of apocalypse. Revelation 21 and 22 give us this vision of the future. And it's not a vision of an end. It's a vision of a beginning. That's what's going on. [00:06:36] (00:00:20 seconds) Edit Clip

The book of Revelation is revealing to us that God is not done creating. That wasn't just a Genesis story. All throughout Scripture, all throughout history, all throughout your life, God is in the business of making things new. The same God who spoke the world into existence in the beginning is now speaking again in the new beginning these words. I'm making all things new. [00:09:58] (00:00:27 seconds) Edit Clip

Revelation isn't a sequel to the original creation. Revelation is not plan B. It's like, oh, dang it, crumple this one up and start over. No, that's not what's going on. It's the telos. That's the word. It's the purpose, the culmination, the final master stroke. It's that moment at the end of the movie where everything makes sense all of a sudden. Like, oh, I see. I see it. It's been revealed. Now, I get it. The purpose, the fulfillment, the destination. [00:10:26] (00:00:33 seconds) Edit Clip

It's a reset without erasing, a rebirth without forgetting. And like the resurrection that we're so familiar with, the end is a new beginning. If we see it, if we see it, I really believe that it will change everything about how we live now, today. [00:11:00] (00:00:24 seconds) Edit Clip

The new Jerusalem, this city is being prepared as a bride. Here comes the bride. Okay. The bride is not the honeymoon. It's not the destination. The bride is the people. The people of God are being prepared. It's beautiful. And it's built on this foundation of all the tribes. Of all of Israel. And on the apostles of the Old Testament and the New Testament. [00:13:17] (00:00:22 seconds) Edit Clip

To belong to the city is to belong to all of the people of God. All time. Everywhere. Every tribe. Every tongue. Every nation. That is what this new city is all about. There's no more outsiders. [00:14:15] (00:00:18 seconds) Edit Clip

The new Jerusalem says every other identity is passing away. The old is gone. It led to destruction and more brokenness. Yes, every other identity that you could base your life on, it falls short. It's based in sin. This is the only one that is life -giving, the only one that lasts, that is eternal, the only one that actually delivers on the promise. [00:18:56] (00:00:27 seconds) Edit Clip

The most important thing about you, the best identity, the truest one, the thing that's most real about you is that in Jesus, we can become God's children. It's who we are. [00:19:42] (00:00:16 seconds) Edit Clip

You're not identified by your past anymore. It's not assigned to you by your culture or the color of your skin. all of those things it's not determined by your performance nope jesus doesn't just save you he remakes you and in the new creation your truest identity is actually fully revealed not what the world calls you but as god claims you to be god says you're mine you're in your family you're chosen so live like it [00:21:09] (00:00:29 seconds) Edit Clip

Security that does not require isolation right security that doesn't require isolation safety that doesn't mean hiding there's no more walking on eggshells there's no more wondering when it's going to fall apart when the other shoe is going to drop no revelation 21 27 says that nothing unclean will ever enter evil has no place here you can't get in not gonna but in the new jerusalem pain and death and don't just disappear they can't enter evil is permanently exiled it's on the outside will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain it's all gone you're safe what god has secured cannot be shaken it is deep it is wide it is long it is thick it is never ending evil cannot get in anymore no more death no more crying no more pain [00:24:58] (00:00:54 seconds) Edit Clip