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 106:40–48.

Read: Revelation 21:1–22:21 (NLT). As you read the New Living Translation, note 1–3 insights.

Reflect: The Apostle John was the youngest of the twelve disciples and brother to James. These two brothers were called the sons of thunder once (Mark 3:17), and yet they were to become part of Jesus’ inner circle. When He went to the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1), He took Peter, James, and John with Him. Even though John was the youngest, he was invited to be part of the core leadership team in the birth of a movement that would shape not only the world, but would the shape the universe. This same John, the son of thunder, became the Apostle of love. He was the one who stood at the cross when Jesus died. He was the one who wrote his Gospel account focusing all of his energy on showing that Jesus is God. He was the one who lifted up the idea that love conquers all in his three short letters, and he is the one who had the privilege to receive the final letter that sealed the canon of Scripture in the book called “Revelation”. 

John has symbolically used the First Testament images of marriage and parenting—since they are the two richest examples of intimacy known to us—to show what it means to be truly connected to God. Planet earth, recreated and merged with heaven is like a long-awaited marriage. Following ancient practice, the groom goes ahead to and prepare the place and later brings his bride to their new home so that they can live together. 

John continues on to say that every kind of mourning and weeping from pain will be gone (Revelation 21:4). This is a quick reference to Isaiah 25:8; 35:10; and 65:19, where the promise from God is  that pain will end, especially the pain caused because of death. 

As we saw last week,“Death and Hades” were thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14). They were dealt with once and for all. No longer would they be an option. John is able to celebrate this incredible reality now—bringing the words of Isaiah to the church and assuring them that love will conquer all. Love does win. Against all odds. Against all pain. Against all loss. Against all disease. Against all pain. Against all things that have ever taken life away. This new day will come and radical hope looks like this: No more tears from pain. 

Recalibrate: ​​​Whom do you long to see again? 

Respond: Pray for that this radical hope may be seen by others. 

Research: Read John 11 and note what Martha says about what Jesus’ presence means.