God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21
When I think about the “no more pain” promise we have, my thoughts usually revolve around physical illness, disease, limitations, and, of course, heartbreak. But today (August 22, 2023), as I read these verses, I thought more about wholeness and the pain we experience that breaks and divides us.
The types of pain that cause us to compete for position and for attention to make ourselves feel better.
The type of pain that comes from being broken/hurt and, in return, wants to control everything so we don’t get broken again. Inevitably, in trying to avoid being hurt, we end up hurting others.
The pain that makes us manipulate others, punish others, or abuse others.
The pain that makes us hide and stunts our growth and development. The pain that stirs up anxiety, blanketing us with depression.
The pain that causes us to depend on people too closely, like a drug, and to lean on relationships and ideals more than our Creator, who knows us to the detail.
The pain of not being loved and nurtured. The pain of rejection.
This type of hurt is no worse than any other. It’s all pain and brokenness. It is just that these types of pain are often unseen and, therefore, uncared for. And they take more than a cast and antibiotic to heal. So we often choose from a growing list of self-medications ( pornography, gambling, drugs, eating, not eating, shopping, and all the things in between), which is no medicine at all. Is it?
So when I think about the new heaven and earth and the complete absence of pain, I rejoice greatly and cry out, “Come, Lord Jesus.” But here’s the thing. These pains, as with all pain, are covered under the blood of Jesus right now. Healing for every affliction is right here. Complete healing is coming (there will be no pain or ability for pain in Jesus’ reign), but a taste of that freedom is available now. On earth as it is in heaven isn’t just a cool thing to read. It applies to me, to you, and our every mourning.
I found myself interceding for people in these types of pain this morning. If this resonates with you or for someone you know, I pray you find comfort and strength in these words. But more than that, I pray you lift your gaze to Jesus, the healer, and cry out. He hears us and responds. Get to an undistracted place and listen to his wisdom. And be encouraged that the promise of no more tears, no more death, no more mourning, no more crying—no more pain starts right here, right now. Let Jesus and his increasing peace cover and heal you. He loves to restore! He’s perfect at it. What God can do with brokenness and ashes is beyond any earthly fix. It’s beautiful.
Here are a few scriptures to continue these thoughts.
Revelations 21:3-5
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I lam making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Psalm 34:17-19
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Isaiah 61:1-4
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;
to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.
Psalm 91 (all of it, but here’s a clip)
If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra: you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
Brave Sparrow 