Chapter 7 of 7
The Bible begins in a garden and ends in a city: the holy city God is preparing for everyone who belongs to Jesus. These golden pictures help us think about what God has promised.
I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Revelation 21:2 (BSB)
‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:4 (BSB)
No more crying, no more pain and no more death. God Himself will live with His people. Here is what the Bible says about that city, and how to be part of it.
And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, with each gate consisting of a single pearl. The main street of the city was pure gold, as clear as glass.
Revelation 21:21 (BSB)
John saw a city with twelve gates, each one made from a single pearl, and a main street of gold as clear as glass. Its gates will never be shut, and Jesus is the way in.
Talk about itWhat do you think it will be like to walk on a street of gold?
Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
Revelation 22:1-2 (BSB)
The tree of life was in the first garden, and people lost it when they turned away from God. At the end of the Bible it is back, beside a river flowing from God’s throne, with leaves for the healing of the nations. Jesus wins back everything we lost.
Talk about itWhat do you think will be healed in God’s new city?
In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am.
John 14:2-3 (BSB)
Jesus told His friends He was going to prepare a place for them, and that He would come back for them. There is room in His Father’s house, and Jesus keeps His promises.
Talk about itHow does it feel to know Jesus is preparing a place?
Then the angel told me to write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
Revelation 19:9 (BSB)
The Bible says the end of the story is like a wedding feast, with Jesus at the center. Everyone who trusts in Him is invited.
Talk about itWhat is the best party you have ever been to? What will God’s feast be like?
And He told me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give freely from the spring of the water of life.
Revelation 21:6 (BSB)
All through the Bible, God offers water to thirsty people. At the end, He gives freely from the spring of the water of life. Jesus paid the price, so it is a gift.
Talk about itWhy is a gift different from something we earn?
And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its lamp.
Revelation 21:23 (BSB)
The new city will not need the sun or the moon. God’s glory will light it, and Jesus, the Lamb, will be its lamp. The Light of the World will shine there forever.
Talk about itWhat will it be like to never have night again?
1God made us and loves us.
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 (BSB)
2We have all turned away from God. The Bible calls this sin.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 3:23 (BSB)
3Jesus died for our sins and rose again.
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (BSB)
4Everyone who trusts in Jesus is forgiven and belongs to God forever.
that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9 (BSB)
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:6 (BSB)
If you want to follow Jesus, you can tell Him so in your own words, right now. Or pray this short prayer:
Jesus, I want to know You more and be known by You.
Then talk with a parent, a pastor or a Christian friend about it.
Before you go
Say this verse together a few times. Can you say it without looking?
‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:4 (BSB)
Pray: Thank You, God, that You are making everything new, and that Jesus is preparing a place for us. Help us trust in Him. Amen.