When it comes to purchasing gifts for others, there are some who must confront an age-old question: “What do you give to a person who has everything?” Since God is the ultimate personification of “someone who has everything,” what could we possibly give Him? The answer is we can offer Him the gift of ourselves. The New Testament book of Romans echoes this idea in a familiar portion of Scripture…
“So then, my friends, because of God’s great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer” (Romans 12:2 GNT).
Revelation 21:3 also touches upon this idea when it says, “…God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God” (NIV). Thus, God will restore His relationship with humanity to a state of unbroken fellowship, just as it was in the beginning.
In addition to God’s direct presence, the opening verses of Revelation chapter twenty-one tell us that there will be no further instances of death, mourning, crying, or pain. Those who may find such promises to be too good to be true can find assurance in God’s personal guarantee: “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true” (Revelation 21:5 NLT).
Revelation 21:7 continues by saying, “Those who emerge victorious will inherit these things. I will be their God, and they will be my sons and daughters” (CEB). This reference to “Those who are victorious…” (NIV), captures the idea of someone who subdues, conquers, or prevails over something. It also relates to an observation from earlier in our study of Revelation chapter two, one that involves three obstacles that every God-honoring person must overcome.
The first obstacle involves daily life in a world that functions as if God did not exist. The second obstacle stems from our natural inclination to prioritize our personal desires over God’s plan and purpose for our lives. The final obstacle is embodied by Satan, a formidable, unseen spiritual adversary. These obstacles are collectively known as the world, the flesh, and the devil.
Those who prayerfully overcome these obstacles can look forward to the eternal inheritance promised here in Revelation chapter twenty-one. As the Biblical book of Hebrews concludes…
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Hebrews 12:28).