Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Dec 30th Out with the Old and In with the New: Reflections on Revelation 21:5

Today’s Passage – Revelation 20 – 22 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 146 – 150; Proverbs 30)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – 1 John 3:1

Read the “1230 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from today’s passage – “The Great White Throne,” and “You’re Invited.“

“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.” – (Revelation 21:5)

As fireworks light up the sky and calendars flip to a new year, do you long for a truly fresh start—one that lasts forever? Our final Scripture reading for 2025 shows us that God will someday “make all things new.” It will truly be “out with old and in with the new.”

A New Jerusalem

The context of Revelation 21 is the unveiling of the heavenly city, New Jerusalem. This is the beautiful place that God has prepared for his Bride, the Church, to live in for all eternity. We will not get to move in until after the end of the 1000-year Millennial Reign of Christ on the earth, but I assure you, it will be worth the wait. As we read about the description given of this city in the chapter, we see that it is unlike any earthly city. It is a place of exquisite beauty. It also is unique in its dimensions. Apparently, it will be a perfect cube, which means that law of gravity will no longer be the same there. There will be no night there, and the light for the entire city will be the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. What a place! I can’t wait to get there.

A New You in Christ

As we consider the approaching New Year, the phrase in verse 5 is especially relevant: “Behold, I make all things new.” God is a master at putting away the old and creating something new. The chapter above speaks of the passing away of the old heaven and earth, and the revealing of the new. People who have trusted Christ as Saviour are said to be “new creatures” in Christ (2 Co 5:17; Gal 6:15). God gradually purges out the old unprofitable us and recreates us into His image, and someday, we will have a glorified new body to spend eternity in.

A New Year to Live for Christ

New Year’s is a time when we reflect on the old year and determine to yield to God’s will as He makes the necessary changes in our life that He wants to make. For the Christian, I believe the greatest resolution that we can make is to surrender our stubborn wills to the will of God and to quit resisting His Holy Spirit as He conforms us to the image of Christ. The great goal for all Christians in the New Year should be to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. However, there may be some other secondary goals, or resolutions, that will help us achieve the greater goal. It may be that we will resolve to spend more time in the Bible or in prayer. It may be that we will determine to witness to all of our friends and family. These are all good resolutions because they all point to the greater goal of Christlikeness.

Out with the Old

Did you notice what it said about The New Jerusalem in Rev 21:27

“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.” (Rev 21:27)

There are many defiling characteristics about the Jerusalem that we know today, and the same is true for the rest of the world. The New Jerusalem will not have anything about it that is wicked or sinful. As we think about the coming new year, let us strive to purge out of our lives anything that we know is not pleasing to the Lord. 

A New and Deeper Relationship with Christ

As you consider the approaching New Year, make your relationship with Christ your number one priority. As Paul the Apostle said:

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” – (Philippians 3:10)

If you’ve never experienced this new life in Christ, today is the day—visit the “Are You Saved?” page to learn how.

“Heavenly Father, thank You for making all things new through Your Son. Help us surrender to Your transforming work in 2026, drawing us closer to Christ until we see the New Jerusalem. Renew us today, and use us for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Reflection Questions:

• How will you pursue knowing Christ more deeply this year?
• What “old things” in your life is God asking you to let go of this year?
• How can you better surrender to the Holy Spirit’s transforming work in 2026?
• Who in your life needs to hear about the ultimate “new” God offers through salvation in Christ?

What’s your top resolution for knowing Christ more in 2026? Share below!