The final work

There is something beautiful about the way the Bible ends. It does not end with humanity wandering forever in a broken world. It ends with restoration.

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.

Isaiah had promised it centuries earlier: “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind” (Isaiah 65:17). Then comes the promise at the heart of Revelation:

Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.

God will dwell with His people. The separation caused by sin will be gone. The conflict will be over. The character of God will no longer be questioned. And His people will live with Him forever.

His name on their foreheads

The last chapter of the Bible adds a detail that belongs to our subject:

And they shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.

In Scripture, a name often expresses character. When Moses asked to see God’s glory, the LORD proclaimed His name as merciful, gracious, longsuffering and abounding in goodness and truth (Exodus 34:6). To have His name on our foreheads is to bear His likeness. It is the final answer to the question of what God is forming in us. The people who see His face carry His name.

He will complete the work

The One who began the work is the One who finishes it. Paul prays for the Thessalonians:

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

“He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” That sentence is the comfort of this entire book. And Jude closes his letter with a doxology that points to the same final work:

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.

The last invitation

The final invitation of Scripture is:

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

That is an invitation. Not merely: “Become a better person.” Not: “Try harder.” Not: “Earn your place.” But: Come. Come to Christ. Come to the Saviour. Come to the One who forgives. Come to the One who transforms. Come to the One who gives His Spirit. Come to the One who can take a selfish heart and teach it to love. Come to the One who can take a proud heart and teach it humility. Come to the One who can take a bitter heart and teach it forgiveness. Come to the One who can take a sinful life and make it new.