If we look at the world around us, it does not take us long to realize that this world is broken and lost. Many people even make the case that Christians should be pessimists. This is the idea that the world will always be this way. It is irrevocably broken with no hope for restoration and redemption. It will not change, and we should come to terms with that reality. But the words of Jesus from His seat on the throne in Revelation paint a different picture. Jesus tells us that He is making all things new. He speaks of a restoration, not a destruction. We can take hope that these worlds are trustworthy and true because we believe in the sovereignty of God. What He says will come to pass because God is faithful to fulfill His promises. The implication is not this sense of hopelessness but one of profound hope that God is redeeming and reconciling all things back to Himself. Jesus is going to take our earth and all of the terrible things we have done to it, and He is going to transform it into something new. While this is a future we can look forward to, it is also a present-day reality. Pay attention to the tense of Jesus’ words. He is speaking in the present tense! This means that God is actively at work in the world today, restoring all things. This means through Christ, our bodies, our relationships with one another, and our relationship with creation are all being redeemed. Jesus restores all of life. The most beautiful thing about this current and future reality is that God invites us to partner with Him in this redemptive work. To be clear, God is the initiator of this redemptive work and He chooses to use us, as those indwelled with His Spirit, to play a part in this divine drama. The ball is in our court; will we participate with God?
"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.”"
Revelation 21:5