By David Faust

The cry of our time is for more. More money. More technology. More fun. Increased speed. Greater convenience. More value. More years as medical science lengthens the average life expectancy.

Near the end of the Bible, the cry becomes, “No more.” This world has an expiration date. John foresaw a time when “the first heaven and the first earth had passed away” (Revelation 21:1). Lest we become too attached to things in their current form, God’s Word insists that the objects we pursue “more” of are destined for destruction. Houses, factories, college campuses, sports stadiums, and skyscrapers eventually will crumble. No amount of wealth can stave off their demise. Palaces, banks, capitol buildings, even beautiful church edifices will one day pass away. Natural wonders we rightly admire—mountains, trees, waterfalls, and gardens—will succumb to the death knell as “the old order of things” passes away (v. 4). High-level government officials, Hollywood stars, professional athletes—the fit, the rich, and the famous aren’t immune. Like a bloodhound pursuing its prey, death keeps nipping at our heels until finally it catches up with us.

This would all be very depressing if not for the rest of John’s revelatory vision in which he witnesses God’s plan to provide something better. Notice: the realms that pass away are called the “first” heaven and the “first” earth, which indicates they are not the end of the sequence. The Lord says, “I am making everything new!” (v. 5). God plans to bring about a fresh, vibrant new reality more wonderful than anything we have experienced before.

Consider the “no mores” in the glorious new environment awaiting us:

No more spiritual separation.

“God himself will be with them and be their God” (v. 3). We are designed to walk with God, and the human heart’s longing will find fulfillment in our eternal home as we enjoy unbroken fellowship with the one who created us in his image.

No more alienation from others.

It was never supposed to be just “God and me,” but “God and we.” Loneliness will melt away as God dwells among his people. Notice the plural pronouns: “God himself will be with them and be their God” (v. 3). We’ll enjoy being together.

No more death and its bitter effects.

In one verse, Revelation 21:4, the Lord promises to remove not only death itself but also its emotional aftermath. First he addresses our mortality problem: “There will be no more death.” Then the Lord addresses the profound sadness we feel when others we love succumb to death: “There will be no more . . . mourning or crying or pain.” God himself will be the comforter. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes.”

No more grief. No more funeral homes and cemeteries. No more murders, fatal accidents, prolonged bouts with terminal illness, and traumatic death notifications in the middle of the night. No more widowed spouses. No more orphaned children. No more brokenhearted families wondering how they can go on. Death and all its miserable aftereffects will be no more. No more tissues!

Living in the bright aftermath of Jesus’ resurrection, we do not despair. We order our lives according to eternal priorities and face the future with hope, looking forward to the day when time shall be no more.

David Faust serves as the Associate Minister at East 91st Street Christian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Based on International Sunday School Lesson, © 2013, by the Lesson Committee. Scripture quotations are from the New International Version ©2011, unless otherwise indicated.

As you apply today’s Scripture study to everyday life, read Engage Your Faith by David Faust and the correlating Evaluation Questions.