📅 Date: April 15, 2025

📖 DAILY BIBLE READING

✨ Revelation 21 – New Heaven, New Earth, and the New Jerusalem: God’s Eternal Home for His People
📯 The Consummated Hope: God’s New Creation, Eternal Life, and the Lord Dwelling with Humanity

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📜 Bible Text – Revelation 21 (KJV)

¹ And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

² And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

³ And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

⁴ And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

⁵ And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

⁶ And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

⁷ He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

⁸ But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

⁹ And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.

¹⁰ And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

¹¹ Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

¹² And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

¹³ On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

¹⁴ And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

¹⁵ And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

¹⁶ And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

¹⁷ And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

¹⁸ And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

¹⁹ And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

²⁰ The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

²¹ And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

²² And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

²³ And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

²⁴ And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

²⁵ And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

²⁶ And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

²⁷ And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

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🔵 Introduction

Revelation 21 is among the most breathtaking chapters in Scripture. John beholds a vision of God’s final triumph: the old, sin-corrupted creation gives way to a new heaven and a new earth. God Himself dwells among men, and all things are made new and glorious.

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🟡 Commentary

🔹 1. God’s New Creation and His Covenant with Humanity (vv. 1–8)

• A new heaven and earth replace the old; sin and death are gone.

• The new Jerusalem descends, symbolizing God’s perfected reign.

• God’s personal presence brings comfort, peace, and eternal life—He wipes away all tears.

🔹 2. The Glory of the New Jerusalem (vv. 9–21)

• Revealed as the Bride of the Lamb, bright with jasper and gold.

• Twelve gates and twelve foundations signify continuity with Israel and fulfillment through the apostles.

• Perfect symmetry and precious materials reflect divine beauty and perfection.

🔹 3. God’s Light Illuminates All (vv. 22–27)

• No temple is needed; God and the Lamb are the city’s light and temple.

• No sun or moon—God’s glory and Christ’s presence suffice.

• Nations and kings walk by its light; gates never shut.

• Only those written in the Lamb’s book of life may enter—symbolizing holiness and inclusion.

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🟢 Summary

Revelation 21 presents the fulfillment of God’s promises: a renewed cosmos, an eternal city, and God dwelling with humanity. Pain, death, and night vanish, replaced by unending light, peace, and communion with the Creator. Only the redeemed, whose names are in the Lamb’s book of life, will enjoy this eternal home.

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🔴 Message for Today

👉 From Revelation 21 we learn:

• Our Best Is Ahead: The greatest hope lies not in this world but in the new creation.

• Comfort in Suffering: Every tear will be wiped away—our present trials are temporary.

• Focus on the Eternal: Our citizenship is in the New Jerusalem; heavenly priorities shape earthly living.

• Holiness Matters: Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life will enter.

• God With Us: Even now, we can experience God’s presence through His Spirit, a foretaste of the eternal dwelling.

📖 “Behold, I make all things new.” (Revelation 21:5)

🌿 Hope, joy, and assurance: God prepares a glorious eternal home for those who trust in Jesus.
💬 Let your heart live in the light of this blessed future today.

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📆 April 13 – 19, 2025

📆 WEEKLY READING OF THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY

📖 Ellen White | Steps to Christ – Chapter 13

✨ Rejoicing in the Lord

📖 Read here online

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🔵 Introduction

In the Christian life there is a deep, lasting joy—regardless of external circumstances. This chapter shows how, despite trials and struggles, we can live a fulfilled and joyful faith. True joy is not rooted in the pleasures of this world, but in ongoing fellowship with God, in trusting His love, and in looking forward to the glorious future He has prepared for us.

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🟡 Commentary

🔹 1. Our Calling: Bearers of Light and Letters of Christ (Sections 1–3)
Christians are God’s representatives, through whom the world should recognize His love.
Our lives should reflect Christ’s character: love, mercy, and joy.

🔹 2. Dangers of Distrust and Complaint (Sections 4–8)
Satan rejoices when doubt and grumbling cloud our faith.
Rather than focusing on the “thorns” and disappointments, we should pick the “roses” along our path—being consciously aware of God’s blessings.
Sadness and complaint discourage others and do not honor God.

🔹 3. Gratitude Instead of Doubt (Sections 9–14)
When we doubt God’s love, we wound Him—like children who question their parents’ affection.
Every expression of doubt strengthens Satan’s influence; every expression of faith strengthens us and others.

🔹 4. Christian Joy in Service (Sections 15–18)
Jesus was a man of sorrows, yet He always bore peace and joy within Him.
True believers are serious but not sullen; their joy is founded on trust in God’s love.

🔹 5. God’s Care and Our Trust (Sections 19–24)
Jesus teaches us to trust God’s provision, as birds and lilies do.
Worry and anxiety darken our lives and reveal a lack of faith.

🔹 6. Courage in Trials and Keeping Our Eyes on the Goal (Sections 25–28)
Even when trials come, we may be courageous—God has helped us so far and will continue to do so.
Strength for each trial is given in proportion to the need.

🔹 7. The Glorious Inheritance of the Redeemed (Sections 29–32)
In the end we await joy, purity, and fellowship with God and the redeemed.
Already, we may live in faith of this future and taste heaven’s joy now.

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🟢 Summary

This chapter teaches that:

• Christian joy is deep, steadfast, and independent of outward circumstances.

• Distrust and complaining harm ourselves and others.

• Gratitude, trust, and a focus on God’s goodness strengthen our faith.

• The hope of eternal life sustains us through every difficulty.

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🔴 Message for Today

👉 What does this message mean for us personally?

• Learn to see God’s blessings daily and be thankful for His love.

• Don’t be paralyzed by worry and fear—trust in God’s care.

• Bring hope and joy to those around you through your faith.

• Don’t focus on the thorns in your life; pick the flowers of grace.

• Remember: The path of duty is the path of peace and true joy.

📜 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)

🌿 True joy in the Lord is a light that draws others to the source of life—Jesus Christ, our Savior.