Every passage in the book of Revelation has a unique timeless quality. In a sense it has taken place, it is taking place right now, and it will take place in fullness in the days to come. Let’s imagine that we’re not going to witness all the terrors of a dying age, and realize in our hearts that we are in the beginnings of a new age that God is bringing forth.
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: (In a way, we have a new heaven and a new earth right now.) for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away; and the sea is no more. Revelation 21:1. I thank God that I don’t know the heavens as I knew them once, or this walk with God as I knew it once. It’s so much better now.
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 great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be His peoples, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God: and he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things are passed away. Revelation 21:2–4. This is true for us. The first things have passed away.
And he that sitteth on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. Revelation 21:5. We yearn and cry for that: “Lord, make everything in our lives new. Let the old pass away and bring forth the new covenant, the new day, the restored Church of the end time.” And he saith, Write: for these words are faithful and true. And he said unto me, They are come to pass. Verses 5 and 6. If we could only receive with faith that they are come to pass.
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. Revelation 21:6–7.
Why does the book of Revelation talk so much about overcoming? Can’t we just sort of slide through? No, it’s the aggressive overcomers who will inherit these new things. You say, “Well, I like the old things better.” That’s because you’re not an overcomer. The overcomer likes the new heavens and earth; he’s ready to move into something new.
But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death. Revelation 21:8. That’s quite a parade. And who leads them? The fearful lead the parade into hell. The murderers, fornicators, sorcerers, and idolators are terrible sinners, but they’re not as basic an abomination to God as the fearful. I don’t want to be fearful. I want to move into that new day. Every man shakes when he goes into battle. If he has any sense, he goes into battle frightened, but not fearful.
I had a talk with a little girl who had been having nightmares about fire. I told her that she should be a little bit afraid but not fearful. I said, “A lot of things could make you afraid. Remember when you were afraid of the water and we worked at it until now you can dive off the board into deep water? You’re not afraid now, but you should always be a little bit afraid of the water. Never get to the place where you’re not a little bit afraid of the water, or of crossing a street, or of driving a car because you could get killed so quickly. Only a little baby who doesn’t know anything at all would run out in the street without looking. Everybody has to be a little bit afraid—then they are careful and handle things wisely.”
“And so it is with fire. Always be a little afraid of fire; see that everything is taken care of, because fire can be either a wonderful friend or a dangerous enemy. You wouldn’t put your hand over the fire and let it burn. You have to be careful, but you don’t have to be fearful all your life either.”
In a sense, God is saying the same thing to us. He says, “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion, roameth about seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8). God wants us to be able to overcome him. He doesn’t want us to be unaware of the great satanic conflict we’re in. We need to be alert.
We have seen people who have become victims of Satan—yet we’re not standing in our own strength; we’re standing in the strength and power of Jesus and we’re doing the will of the Lord with all our heart. We can’t be afraid, for the fearful and the unbelievers will lead the parade into eternal destruction. As we go forth we say, “O Lord, You do all things new and we’re ready for it. We declare war upon every foe, within and without, and we go forward.”
We’re alert to dangers. We know we’re in a serious battle, but we approach it by the body and the blood of Jesus; and that becomes our strength and our life and enables us to enter in to the battle as overcomers. We can overcome whatever we need to by His victory.