To describe the future for which believers hope, Peter and John use the term “new heavens and new earth” (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1 cf. Isaiah 65:17; 66:22). The old heavens and earth will be destroyed completely by fire (2 Peter 3:7, 10-12 cf. Hebrews 1:11; Revelation 21:1). What will the restored universe look like? The Revelation given to John offers a glimpse of our “one hope.”
I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” … The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be His God and He will be My son. … No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in [the City of God], and His servants will worship Him. They will see His face (Revelation 21:3-5, 7; 22:3-4).
“I am making all things new.”
To see God face to face! To be His sons, co-heirs with His own Son! Such a high calling is beyond our most vivid imaginations. Yet Paul’s prayer is for the eyes of our hearts to be opened to “know what is the hope … what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1:16-18). When, in Ephesians, we reach chapter 4, the Spirit’s point is that this “one hope” unites all of God’s children. There are no second-class citizens in Christ’s kingdom. There are not two or more classes of Christians with different hopes.“In Christ,” Jews and Gentiles share the same magnificent destiny.
There are no second-class citizens in Christ’s kingdom.