Nothing That Defiles

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Rev. 21:1-4). My goodness! What a promise! Praise God! But let’s look at just a few more key scriptures in this same passage that temper this glorious promise with the fear of the Lord, and the holiness of his salvation. “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Rev. 21:7,8). So while the promise of the glory world is one full of splendor, it is in no way to be perceived as an unconditional guarantee for anyone just because they have made a confession of faith in Jesus Christ.

It is evident that those who “are accounted worthy to obtain that world” will have to have the power of the holy Ghost, and employ that power to overcome the entire nature of sin that we were all born with (Lk. 20:35; Acts 1:8; Rom. 6:6; Rom. 8:13). But let’s allow further scriptures in our text chapter, and the chapter after it to confirm this reality regarding those who will dwell in the glory world. “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Rev. 21:27). “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still… Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie” (Rev. 22:11,14,15). The certain reality of the new heavens and the new earth is a glorious thing indeed, but it must be soberly remembered that those who are called are required to be free from sin and do the will of God from their hearts till the end of their lives in order to obtain that promise; to which things all of the scriptures bare witness (Mat. 24:12,13; Heb. 2:2,3; Heb. 3:13,14; Heb. 4:1,11; II Pet. 3:13,14; I Jn. 3:2,3; etc.). Amen.