"Hope Beyond the Suffering"
Scripture Reading
- Romans 8:18 (NIV) – “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
- Revelation 21:3-4 (NIV) – “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! 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. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’”
Every day, we see evidence of suffering, injustice, and evil. Wars rage, diseases spread, families break apart, and many are burdened with grief. In moments like these, we may ask, "Where is God?"
Yet, Scripture assures us that our suffering is not the final chapter. Romans 8:18 reminds us that the pain we endure now is nothing compared to the glory God has prepared for us. Revelation 21:3-4 gives us an incredible promise—God will dwell with His people, wipe away every tear, and remove all pain forever.
God’s Presence: “God Himself Will Be With Them”
The most powerful aspect of Revelation 21:3 is that God Himself will be with us. From the beginning, God has desired a close relationship with His people. In the Garden of Eden, He walked with Adam and Eve. Through Jesus, He came to dwell among us (John 1:14). And in eternity, He will dwell with us in an even greater way.
This means that we are not alone in our suffering. Even now, through the Holy Spirit, God is present, comforting and strengthening us (John 14:16-17).
God’s Compassion: “He Will Wipe Every Tear from Their Eyes”
Tears are a universal language of pain—whether from loss, disappointment, or sorrow. But in eternity, God Himself will wipe away every tear.
This is not just a poetic image; it is a personal act of love. Just as a loving parent wipes the tears from a child’s face, God will remove our pain with His own hand. This shows us that God sees our suffering, He cares deeply, and He promises to heal every wound.
God’s Victory: “No More Death, Mourning, Crying, or Pain”
In this life, we experience loss—loved ones pass away, relationships break, and our own bodies grow weak. But God’s promise is clear:
No more death – The greatest enemy, death, will be defeated (1 Corinthians 15:54-55).
No more mourning – Grief and sadness will be erased.
No more crying or pain – All the suffering caused by sin will be gone forever.
This is the final victory of God’s goodness over evil. Everything broken will be restored.
Trusting God Through the Pain
When we look at our world, it’s easy to be discouraged. But these Scriptures remind us:
- Our pain is temporary, but God’s glory is eternal (Romans 8:18).
- God is not distant—He is with us and will bring perfect restoration (Revelation 21:3-4).
- We have a future where suffering will be no more.
So, how do we respond? We trust. We endure. We hope. Just as Christ endured suffering for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2), we can hold on, knowing that our struggles today will one day be replaced by eternal joy in God’s presence.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, remain faithful, and look forward to the day when He will wipe away every tear. Evil does not win—God does!
More: Sabbath School Lesson 7 The Problem of Evil
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