“‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.””
In plain words: One day God will comfort every hurting person Himself, and the sadness, pain and death of this broken world will be gone for good.
What Revelation 21:4 means.
This is the end of the story for everyone in Christ. Grief is real, but it isn’t permanent.
Common questions about Revelation 21:4
What does 'the former things have passed away' mean?
The 'former things' are the old way of things: death, sorrow, crying and pain. In Revelation 21:1-3, John sees a new heaven and a new earth, where God lives with His people. When that happens, the old world and all its hurt are finished. They are not hidden or ignored. They are over. The verse pictures God Himself wiping tears away, like a loving parent comforting a child. It is a promise about where the story ends.
Apply it today: Read Revelation 21:1-4 slowly today and notice the picture of God close to His people.
If this is coming, is it wrong to cry now?
No. Grief is not a lack of faith. Jesus Himself wept at the grave of His friend Lazarus (John 11:35). Romans 12:15 says to cry with people who cry. Revelation 21:4 does not say sadness is silly. It says sadness will not last forever. Your tears now are real, and so is the promise that God will one day wipe them away. You can be honest about your pain and still hold on to hope.
Apply it today: Tell God plainly what hurts today, in your own words, without trying to sound strong.
Who is this promise for, and how can I be part of it?
Revelation 21 speaks of God's people, those who belong to Jesus. The Bible says Jesus died for our sins and rose again, beating death itself (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 26). John 3:16 says everyone who trusts in Him has eternal life. Trusting Jesus means believing He is who He says He is, turning from wrong, and following Him. It is a gift of God's grace, not something you earn. Anyone who wants to start can say yes to Jesus.
Apply it today: Read John 11:25-26 today and think about what Jesus says about death.
Ask anything about it.
Every question gets a clear answer in seconds, and a way to live it today.
Live it today.
Write down one memory you’re grateful for and thank God for it.
Pray it back.
Father, thank You that this isn’t the end. Hold me until the day You wipe away every tear.
Carry it all day.
Put today’s verse on your lock screen, so every time you pick up your phone, the Word is the first thing you see.
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One verse every morning at 7 a.m. your time. Leave any time.