Lectio Continua : Revelation 21:1-8 - The New Heaven and the New Earth

In this year-end sermon from Revelation 21:1-8, Pastor Chris Gordon draws on the Apostle Peter's command to "set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." Against the backdrop of nihilism, the brutal struggle of the Christian life, and the constant threat of death, John's vision of the new heavens and the new earth shines as the certain promise that anchors believers forward in hope. The sermon traces the great problem from Genesis — humanity cast out of God's presence and wandering as far as Babel — to its resolution in the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven, where God himself will dwell with his people.

The second great emphasis is the certainty of the promise. "Behold, I am making all things new... write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true... It is done." Every tear wiped away, no more death, no more mourning, no more pain. Pastor Gordon closes by calling believers to overcome by the blood of the Lamb, to run the race with endurance, and to finish the year strong — reminding the church that the cowardly and faithless face the second death, but those in Christ are his chosen people whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction
0:50 - Scripture Reading: Revelation 21:1-8
2:35 - Set Your Hope Fully on Grace
3:40 - Nihilism and the Push Forward in Hope
6:43 - The Brutal Struggle of This Life
7:48 - A New Heaven and a New Earth
9:38 - Living Under the Threat of Death
13:15 - I Saw the Holy City
14:42 - From Eden to Babel
17:44 - Alienation from God is Our Greatest Sadness
19:43 - Resurrected Bodies and a Renewed Earth
23:41 - The Certainty: It is Done
30:14 - Every Tear Wiped Away
32:21 - To Him Who Overcomes
34:38 - Run the Race with Endurance

Mentions:

Apostle Peter (1 Peter, 2 Peter 3)
John the Apostle
Abraham
Isaiah 65
Psalm 46
Psalm 89
Psalm 107
James Boice
Dr. W. Robert Godfrey
Heidelberg Catechism (Lord's Day 1)