Comfort and Strength Part 6: So Fresh and So Clean, Clean

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. - Revelation 21:5 

There are a few different Greek words used for “new” in the New Testament and they all bring out different points of emphasis. There is new in terms of  age; new as to say “another one” or something done again; and

also new in terms of being the most recent; but I love the Greek word used here which means new in terms of being “fresh”. He didn’t re-package an old thing or just make another one. He made it “fresh”: clean, exciting, vibrant & vivid, and full of life while at the same time being untainted, uncontaminated, unpolluted and (in this case) designed to stay that way forever. It’s like a new car smell that always remains the same. This newness is not to be enjoyed only when we get to heaven, but we should be accessing this newness with now-ness through faith.  He still sits on the throne and because He has “made” all things new, He can still “make” all things new in us, with us, and through us. Knowing this will steady us in difficult times and empower us to walk in newness of life.

*Bonus quick study note for my Bible scholars out there: 1 Peter 1:4 talks about “an inheritance incorruptible” that is “reserved in heaven”. The word ‘reserved’ paints a picture of “wait for it until a later time.” Yet, the word used (tereo) is closer to ‘preserved’ as in guarded and watched over. So our inheritance in Christ isn’t as much “reserved in heaven” as it is “preserved from heaven”; a place “where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.” (Matt 6:20) The key is that the inheritance is accessible now.

Lord, thank you for making all things fresh and new. Even when the situation or circumstances seems like they will never change, I receive by faith your provision of newness over my life:

Newness in my attitude
Newness in my hope
Newness in my joy
Newness in my family
Newness in my health

Because your words are true and faithful, it shall be seen in me and become a testimony to someone else.


Romans 6:4; 1 Peter 1:4