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Revelation 21:4

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

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.

Revelation 21:4 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Revelation 21:4

Theological / Devotional

All tears. Literally, “every tear.” See on Rev. 7:17; cf. Isa. 25:8 ; 65:19.

Death. The clause reads literally, “the death shall be no longer.” The definite article is of significance. John speaks of “the death”—the principle of death that came in as a result of sin. The definite article has, here, the force of a demonstrative. John says in effect, “this death, the one we know so well and fear so much, shall be destroyed.” Compare the language of Paul: “Death is swallowed up in victory,” literally, “The death was swallowed down in victory” (1 Cor. 15:54); “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death [literally, “the death”]” (v. 26).

Sorrow. Grief, such as accompanies bereavement. The causes for sorrow will be completely removed. Compare Isa. 35:10.

Crying. Gr. kraugē, “outcry,” “clamor,” “crying.” No cause for crying will exist in that beautiful land of tomorrow.

Pain. Much of life’s misery and anguish is the result of harassing pain. Pain will be completely banished in that beautiful world of tomorrow.

Former things. That is, conditions as we know today will pass away. There will be nothing that bears the mark of the curse (ch. 22:3).

By SdaBc