Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "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, and He will wipe away every tear from their 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." – Revelation 21:1-4
The visions of St. John’s revelation span all of eternal history, showing in dramatic form what is the essence of the entire purpose and will of the Creator. This same eternal history and plan is brought to bear in simple form as the children of this age are sundered from the grip of sin, death, and the devil through Holy Baptism.
Here we see frail flesh brought into the new heaven and the new earth prepared from the foundation of the world. We hear a quiet voice through which the Word is spoken while joined to water, for today there is a sea of washing that must needs apply to those who are forgiven of all sin and brought to everlasting life. In the age to come there will be no such sea.
The basis for this forgiveness is nothing other than the merits and righteousness of Jesus Christ, The Alpha and the Omega, Whose atoning sacrifice on the cross was sufficient for all people for all time; Whose righteousness is brought to bear in precisely this way: that He calls you by name, washes you in Holy Baptism, and thereby dwells with you to the extent you are delivered from all evil.
To be sure, there are at present tears, death, mourning, crying, and pain. They are enmeshed in the flesh inherited from the first Adam. All of these belong to you, yet also to Christ Jesus in this age, even as His Love endures such things on your behalf. The Good Shepherd and Bridegroom goes with you, and ahead of you, to bring you into everlasting joy.
