The loud voice from the throne-room of God declares the 'new order of things'. The tragic consequences of sin have left many stains on the world and all people, but the ultimate sequel to sin is death, which is our last enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26). It is, humanly speaking, irreversible and painfully separating. It destroys what God has made and leaves everybody feeling impoverished and guilty. Death may be a relief of suffering but continues to have sad consequences upon the living who have known and loved them. And yet it is part of God's plan for a disordered world (Genesis 3:17-19). The only thing worse than death would be for sinful humans to live for ever, infinitely rebelling against their Maker (Genesis 3:22). Paradoxically, the curse of death is the necessary prelude to a new order in which God is the undisputed Sovereign who establishes a sin-free environment for His people.

The Lord will wipe away every tear arising from the anguished sorrow of sin and death, because He is gracious and compassionate (Psalm 145:8-9). He does not treat death as a necessary evil to achieve His eternal purpose but is tender-hearted towards the suffering it brings. The idea that He will personally wipe away every tear was first written by Isaiah some 700 years before Christ (Isaiah 25:8). Jesus wept at the grave of Lazarus (John 11:35), over the rebellious city of Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37) and in anticipation of His own death (Hebrews 5:7). The Lord fully understands the pain and has great compassion for us (Hebrews 4:15-16).

However, His comfort is not the end of His kindness: He has chosen to abolish death through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). When Jesus was raised from the dead, God demonstrated that death no long has the final word; God does. And so it will be for every believer. Jesus said, "For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day." (John 6:40). Faith in Jesus is the starting point which leads to a new life, a new hope, a new relationship with God, a new body and a new eternal home. In His eternal kingdom - sin, Satan and our sinful natures will go. In their place will be righteousness, peace, confidence and joy for ever (Isaiah 32:17).

And yet, because we live in a disordered and dysfunctional world, and all we experience now will end in death-related sorrow - such bliss seems beyond our wildest dreams. That is why the angel urged John not just to be enraptured by the vision but also to write it down, so that the trustworthy truth of God's new order might be made known to every believer. It has enabled Christians in every age to continue true to Jesus, despite threats on their lives (Acts 20:24). Is this still a vital part of preaching and disciple-making? Or is the church satisfying itself with a 'therapeutic gospel' which promises comfortable experiences now, instead of suffering now and glory to come (Philippians 1:29)?