The Promise of What Will Be
“Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7.15-17)
Main Point: The blessings Jesus pronounces are both present reality and future hope.
Jesus ends the Beatitudes blessing the persecuted: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5.10). Notice: “is,” not “will be.” The Kingdom is both now and not yet.
This is our tension as saints. We are God’s children now, yet “what we will be has not yet appeared” (1 John 3.2). We’ve received God’s grace now, yet await its full unveiling.
Revelation glimpses what awaits: no more hunger, thirst, tears. Every Beatitude promise fully realized. Every blessing completely fulfilled.
Until that day, we live by faith, trusting God’s promises. We persevere through suffering, knowing it’s temporary. We extend grace to others, having received it ourselves. We live as saints, confident that “when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”
Reflection: We live between “already” and “not yet,” trusting God’s promises. Which promise do you most look forward to seeing fulfilled? How does this hope help you endure today’s difficulties?
Prayer: Faithful God, thank You for the promises You’ve given us in Christ. Help us live with confidence and hope, knowing that what You’ve begun in us, You will complete. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.
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