The other day someone asked a question about Revelation 21:4. 

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Revelation 21:4 (NIV)

“Why,” they asked, “would there be crying in Heaven?” 

Although quite different from most books in the Bible, the book of Revelation should be examined in the same light as the rest of the Bible. That’s to say, within context. Therefore, let’s consider Revelation 21:4 within the context of Revelation. 

We need to take one step “backward” to Revelation 20 and remember that Revelation, like the rest of the Bible, wasn’t broken down into the format we read it in. This means that Revelations 20 and 21 would be “closer” together than how we might perceive them. If you follow a Bible reading plan, you might read one book one day and another book the next day. Revelation 20 ends with the judgment of the dead. 

We’re all going to be together on the day of judgment. As evidenced by Revelation 20:12-13

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done.

Revelation 20:12-13 (NIV)

As I wrote about yesterday, everyone who isn’t saved gets thrown into the lake of fire.

Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:15 (NIV)

Now we move into Revelation 21 after seeing everyone who wasn’t saved thrown into the lake of fire. We’re told about the New Heaven and the New Earth. We’re also given the promise of Revelation 21:4. In Revelation 21:5, we’re given this intelligence.

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Revelation 21:5 (NIV)

We’re also given clarification about Heaven and who will be thrown into the lake of fire.

Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death” (emphasis added).

Revelation 21:7-8 (NIV)

The keyword determining who will be thrown into the lake of fire is “unbelieving” because we know that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. This includes all the other categories, from murderers to liars. As long as they repented and turned to Jesus before they died. 

We’ll be crying in Heaven because we will witness all of those people damned to hell for eternity, and within those people will be people we know. 

Along with all of the terrible things we’ve experienced in this life, the memory of all those people being thrown into hell will be wiped away. Those things were part of the “old order” that passed away. 

The other day, I wrote that we wouldn’t be distraught over seeing our loved ones perish. I’d like to clarify that and say we will be distraught for a moment until the Lord wipes the tears from our eyes and we remember those things no more. 

Do you know God? God knows you, and he loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, and he wants you to know him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, freed from death, and live eternally with him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart and receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.

Advertisement