Can things ever go back to the way God originally intended?

In the evenings, I enjoy sitting on the couch next to my wife, Amy. We watch television together while I eat my favorite vanilla ice cream. As long as the television is working and the ice cream carton isn’t empty, I’m happy. Everything is right in my world. 

I’m sure you also have quiet moments like that in your life. Even if just for a short time, everything seems right with the world. But the reality is, this world you and I live in isn’t the way God originally intended it to be. Sin has infected every part of our planet—everything from our cars to our bodies breaks down. The older I get, the more obvious that becomes!

You might wonder, How can things ever go back to the way God originally intended? According to Scripture, God has already set in motion a plan to remove sin and evil forever. That’s what the apostle John described in the book of Revelation. The Greek word translated as “revelation” means to unveil something hidden. And the book of Revelation is about the unveiling of Jesus Christ, who is coming back one day to redeem His creation—including you and me.

When Jesus came to earth the first time, His deity was veiled. Think about a lampshade—it doesn’t completely darken the lamp, but it diminishes the lamp’s brightness. Similarly, when Jesus came the first time, He was veiled in human flesh, diminishing His splendor. But when He returns, we’re going to see Him in all His glory as the King of kings and Lord of lords!

Let me encourage you today by sharing two things the book of Revelation unveils about the Lord Jesus Christ:

First, Revelation unveils Jesus’s power. Throughout the book, Jesus demonstrates divine power not only to destroy kingdoms but also to build things that haven’t existed before. He has the power to raise your physical body from the grave and give you a new body that will be free from sin and suffering forever.

You might think, Pastor, that’s wonderful to know for the future. But what does Jesus’s power mean for me right now? Think about this: Is there any problem in your life that the power of Jesus couldn’t change in an instant? If He hasn’t removed that problem, then He has an eternal purpose in it. Nothing comes into your life that has not been sifted through the perfect, loving will of God.

One day, Jesus will remove whatever is causing you difficulty—but right now it is not without purpose. God is using that problem in some way for your good and for His glory. That’s the assurance Jesus’s power gives you today.

Second, Revelation unveils Jesus’s purpose. The book of Revelation assures us that one day, Jesus Christ is coming back again, and He is going to redeem His creation and destroy evil forever.

But did you know God has a purpose beyond the removal of evil from this world? His ultimate purpose is found in Revelation 21:3: “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them.”

God’s ultimate purpose is for us to have fellowship with Him forever. And when that happens, “He will wipe away every tear from [our] eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away” (v. 4).

Isn’t that the day we long for? A day that spells the end of sin and sickness and sadness and death. A day that ushers in our perfect fellowship with the one person in the universe who knows us best and loves us most: Jesus Christ, who gave His life to redeem you and me.

Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Sharing the Truth of God’s Word,

Dr. Robert Jeffress