The vendors line the highways as people rush to buy the required fruits, a practice rooted in a Chinese belief that it brings good luck for the upcoming year. You need to take a deep breath for ten seconds while passing through the crowds cramming to purchase these fruits. Everything feels urgent, and everyone is hurrying to complete their tasks. The marketplace is bustling today, filled with sales as I pass by.
I wanted to stroll around the mall to look for books to read this year and to buy a new translation of the Bible. Additionally, I aimed to soak in the energy of the city and explore the surroundings, hoping to find inspiration for my writing. A good walk often leads to great ideas. Everyone seemed to be in a hurry, but fortunately, there were no crowds at the bookstore.
As I looked around me, I noticed that people were excited about the upcoming year. They held onto hopes that it would be a good one and were taking steps to remove negativity in order to attract good luck. Social media would also be buzzing as everyone shared recaps of the great things that had happened in 2024, complete with long narratives, posts, reels, and photos. It’s beautiful to see how each person expresses gratitude and appreciation. These shared moments of inspiration can encourage those who read and watch to strive for personal growth as well.
In all these pursuits, we often feel a sense of urgency to change our lives. New Year’s resolutions are made, body goals are set, and ambitions for our careers and health emerge. Our vision boards become filled with new dreams and new challenges to overcome. Yet, as we invest our energy into these aspirations—many of which may eventually fade or crumble—why do we continue to cling to things that are fleeting, temporary, and ultimately impermanent? While these goals are beautiful and worthwhile, we must remember that earthly pursuits will always come to an end. No matter how hard we try or how much we strive, everything we chase after will eventually be lost.
So, take a moment to pause and embrace the gospel. I found profound truths in reading the last two chapters of Revelation, and I encourage you to read them too. There is an urgency in the gospel that we should acknowledge.
New Heaven and New Earth
I read the final chapters of the Bible today in the book of Revelation. It struck me how often we take the urgency of the gospel lightly, frequently placing it at the bottom of our priorities. We rush to engage in many things in our lives, believing they are the most important, and while these pursuits are good and beautiful gifts from God, we often neglect the urgency of the gospel as believers.
There will be a new heaven and a new earth that we won't have to strive for. The life we know now on earth is doomed, and it will only get worse before it passes away. However, God has promised to make everything new. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. He will put an end to our thirst and will provide a free drink from the spring of the water of life.
Imagine a life free from pain, shame, guilt, and sin—a life that is eternally beautiful and wondrous. He Himself will be with us, eliminating any longing for His presence, as He will finally be here. John used one of the most striking and beautiful images he could think of: the moment a groom sees his bride coming down the aisle, ready to meet him. He described the New Jerusalem in a similar way:
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband." (Revelation 21:1-2)
Imagine living a life completely free from any curse. We will once again see the Tree of Life, symbolizing the restoration of all things. Finally, we will encounter Him face to face. We will see Jesus clearly because sin will no longer exist. We will see Jesus clearly because care and worry will be gone. We will see Jesus clearly because idols will be abolished. This will be the greatest glory of heaven: to know God and to experience a deeper, more intimate relationship with Jesus than we ever could on earth. As Spurgeon said, “It is the chief blessing of heaven, the cream of heaven, the heaven of heaven, that the saints shall there see Jesus.”
Jesus declares: I am coming quickly
We must always pay attention to the urgency and warning in Jesus’ message about His return. In Revelation 22:12-13, it says, “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Our Father rewards our obedience, and beyond those rewards, we will have the opportunity to see Him. Therefore, we should not be lazy warriors who only pick up our Bibles at the start of the new year and become lukewarm by the second month. A lukewarm believers who often rely on feelings before getting serious on discipleship and commitment. The one we serve is the Alpha and the Omega, the King of kings and Lord of lords!
Blessing and Curse
In verses 14-15 of Revelation, it states, "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, murderers, idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood." Sin is not welcomed in heaven—those who engage in unrighteousness will not be permitted. Blessed are those who follow His commandments. Truth comes from God, and we know we are living in a world where truth is becoming subjective. What may be true for one person may not be true for another, as modern society places great importance on individual perspectives. However, these subjective truths have no place in heaven.
There's still hope: Come as you are
In verse 17, the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.
Do you desire a deeper knowledge of Christ? Is there a burning passion within you to know Him more? If so, come! God is working in your heart. Anyone who desires salvation in Jesus Christ can come to Him and receive the water of life freely.
You can have as much of Jesus as you want—just come. Come as you are, because He will not leave you as you are. He will refine you like gold, transforming you to be more like Him. So, come, beloved. Just come!
Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely: It is fitting that this great invitation closes the Book of Revelation and the Bible. “All the prophets of the Bible, all the apostles of the Bible, all the threatenings of the Bible, all the promises of the Bible, gather themselves up, and focus themselves into this one burning ray, ‘Come to Jesus. Come, and take the water of life freely.’” (Spurgeon)
His invitation is very simple: you can freely take the water of life. Just come and pray like this: “Now, Lord, I desire to be saved. Give me a new heart. I want to give up my sins. I want to be a Christian. I desire to believe and obey. However, I lack the strength to do this. I have the desire; please give me the power.” If this is your desire, you are warmly invited to come, as long as you are willing.
Did you say this prayer? If you want to know Jesus, you are welcome to send a message.
Set Your Hearts on Things Above
Above all, we must set our hearts on heavenly things for he has promised that all are days here will passed away and finally we'll see him face to face but while waiting for his coming, we'll take his commandments seriously, courageously, and faithfully. Colossians 3:1-4 reminds us: "Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."
Cheers to a year wrapped in grace and forgiveness, where His unchanging faithfulness carried us through. Here's to a new year filled with fresh hopes, new mercies, unexpected miracles, heartfelt prayers, and renewed life—all with the same faithful God by our side.
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