Revelation 21:4
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The promise of "no more tears" isn't just about a future absence of sadness, but specifically mentions "every tear," highlighting the tender, personal way God will address each instance of sorrow. This verse emphasizes that not only are the causes of pain removed, but the very effects – the tears themselves – will be wiped away, signifying a complete restoration beyond mere absence of suffering.
This powerful promise comes as the climax of John’s vision of the new Jerusalem, a glorious city descending from God. Immediately preceding this, Revelation 21 describes the passing away of the old heaven and earth, emphasizing the absence of the sea—a symbol of chaos. This verse, therefore, doesn't just offer comfort; it announces the ultimate eradication of all suffering as the final, perfect state where God’s presence brings complete restoration.
Imagine a place where every single tear you've ever cried is not just dried, but utterly gone. Revelation 21:4 promises this incredible comfort.
This verse paints a vivid picture of God's ultimate restoration.
The Promise of Comfort
'He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.' This isn't just a casual gesture; it's a profound act of divine love and comfort. Think of the countless moments of sadness, grief, disappointment, and pain that have marked our lives and the lives of those we love. In the new creation, God Himself will personally bring an end to all of it. It speaks to a deep intimacy and care, where no sorrow is too small to escape His notice or too great for His power to heal.
The Foundation of 'Former Things'
The reason for this complete wiping away of tears is crucial: 'for the former things have passed away.' This signifies a complete break from the old order. The very causes of our tears – sin, suffering, loss, and death – will be no more. This isn't about enduring hardship with a brave face; it's about living in a reality where the grounds for tears no longer exist.
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Death, mourning, crying, pain – these are the heavy realities of our fallen world. But Revelation 21:4 declares their ultimate demise.
This verse systematically dismantles the foundations of our suffering.
No More Death
'and death shall be no more.' This is perhaps the most staggering declaration. Death, the great equalizer and the ultimate enemy, will be conquered. This isn't just about physical death; it encompasses any form of ending, separation, or loss that death brings. In the new heaven and new earth, life will be eternal and unbroken.
The Absence of Grief and Suffering
The verse continues with a powerful string of negatives: 'neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore.' These are the direct consequences and expressions of death and suffering.
This is the flip side of God wiping away tears – the very conditions that caused them are removed entirely.
The passing away of 'former things' isn't just about removing negatives; it's about ushering in something entirely, wonderfully new.
The final phrase, 'for the former things have passed away,' is the key to understanding the magnitude of this promise.
The Finality of the Old
This means the old order – characterized by sin, suffering, decay, and death – is definitively over. It’s not a renovation; it’s a replacement. The very fabric of the old existence, with all its inherent brokenness, is gone forever.
The Dawn of the New
When the former things pass away, it leaves space for a new reality defined by God’s presence and perfection. This is the context for the promises of no more tears, death, mourning, crying, or pain. It’s a world where God’s perfect will is fully realized, and His people experience unbroken fellowship with Him. This is the ultimate fulfillment of all God’s redemptive work, a complete restoration and renewal.
Understand the original words
thanatos · Greek Noun
The ultimate cessation of physical life as a result of sin. In the new creation, its removal signifies the absolute end of the curse and the triumph of the resurrection life provided by Christ.
penthos · Greek Noun
An expression of deep sorrow or grief resulting from loss, sin, or separation from God. Its eradication signifies the complete comfort and restoration of the human experience in God's presence.
ponos · Greek Noun
The visceral sensation of physical, emotional, or spiritual distress or suffering caused by the presence of sin in a fallen world. Its removal is a sign of the restoration of creation to a state of wholeness.
This passage directly anticipates the future reality described in Revelation, stating that God will swallow up death forever and wipe away tears from all faces.
Isaiah 65:19This prophecy echoes the promise of Revelation by describing a future where Jerusalem rejoices, and there is no more crying or pain, fulfilling the cessation of former troubles.
Jeremiah 31:16This verse offers a direct instruction to refrain from weeping and sorrow because God promises to bring His people back from exile, prefiguring the ultimate comfort and restoration found in Revelation.
Romans 8:18Paul speaks of the present sufferings being incomparable to the glory that will be revealed, aligning with Revelation's message that current pain and sorrow are temporary and will be overshadowed by eternal joy.
2 Corinthians 5:17This verse emphasizes that in Christ, believers are a new creation, which connects to Revelation's vision of a new heaven and new earth where all former things have passed away, signifying a complete transformation.
pooleRevelation 21:4: "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."
Scarce any of the passages in this verse, taken in the plain, literal sense, are applicable to any state of the church in this life: for though in the thousand years, mentioned Revelation 20:1-3 , the state of the church (as it is presumed) will be very happy comparatively to what it ever…
ellicottRevelation 21:4: "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."
(4) And God shall wipe away all tears . . . —Instead of “all tears” we should translate “every tear,” and so possess the promise in its true and tender form. The first, or former, things are passed away: death shall not be any longer; neither shall mourning, nor crying, nor pain, be any lo…
The promise of "no more tears" isn't just about a future absence of sadness, but specifically mentions "every tear," highlighting the tender, personal way God will address each instance of sorrow. This verse emphasizes that not only are the causes of pain removed, but the very effects – the tears themselves – will be wiped away, signifying a complete restoration beyond mere absence of suffering.
This powerful promise comes as the climax of John’s vision of the new Jerusalem, a glorious city descending from God. Immediately preceding this, Revelation 21 describes the passing away of the old heaven and earth, emphasizing the absence of the sea—a symbol of chaos. This verse, therefore, doesn't just offer comfort; it announces the ultimate eradication of all suffering as the final, perfect state where God’s presence brings complete restoration.
This powerful promise comes as the climax of John’s vision of the new Jerusalem, a glorious city descending from God. Immediately preceding this, Revelation 21 describes the passing away of the old heaven and earth, emphasizing the absence of the sea—a symbol of chaos. This verse, therefore, doesn't just offer comfort; it announces the ultimate eradication of all suffering as the final, perfect state where God’s presence brings complete restoration.
"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”" — The promise of "no more tears" isn't just about a future absence of sadness, but specifically mentions "every tear," highlighting the tender, personal way God will address each instance of sorrow. Th…
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