Series: The Radical Call of Jesus
Message: Radical Hope
Preacher: Japhet De Oliveira
Daily Walk: Japhet De Oliveira

Refresh: Open with prayer. Read or listen to Psalm 106:32–39.

Read: Revelation 21:1–22:21 (ESV). As you read the English Standard Version, note 1–3 insights or questions. 

Reflect: As you read those last chapters, did you sense the close of Revelation, of the Second Testament, or of the entire Bible? Maybe this is the first time that you have read these final chapters or maybe you have lost count of the amount of times you have read them. To me, they always seem surreal and distant. The long list of measurements and jewels with new fruit each month, etc., seem so detached from my life that it is all too easy to skim-read, all the while wondering what exactly was John thinking? 

Imagine, however, that you were stranded on the rock of Patmos. Suppose you were living out the final years of your life. What if you had just been given over 20 chapters of visions—most of which you could only relay as one long letter to the seven churches? What if you sensed that the battle was just about to begin? What if you knew that even as the church failed, Jesus would step up even more? What if you had been shown that over the coming centuries truth would be obscured, but that the Spirit would never give up calling? Suppose you knew that even those who chose to openly reject Jesus would be sent intentional wake up calls, and that no matter how hard the Dragon might try—with a false trinity and counterfeit league—that there would always be those who follow Jesus wherever He goes. Suppose you knew that through the darkest hour in history those who are sealed would be protected while the whole planet heaves, and that in that very moment Jesus would return! 

Someone with this kind of insight would write these last two chapters while weeping tears of joy and would likely hand over the completed scrolls with that same joy—and hope—etched on their face. This kind of joy comes from years of experience. It is the expression that parents learn but only really master when they become grandparents. The one that says, I love you, and what I give you is amazing, and also very valuable. It’s the hope of a wonderful future.

These two chapters end on that incredible note. Radical hope. 

Recalibrate: ​​​How does knowing the future bring radical hope to your life?

Respond: Pray for hope to be revealed more each day. 

Research: What is your favorite artistic expression of the New Jerusalem?