Revelation 21:4
“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”
In This Article
Other Bible Translations
KJV
“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
CSB
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away. -Revelation 21:4
NIRV
‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death.’ And there will be no more sadness. There will be no more crying or pain. Things are no longer the way they used to be.” -Revelation 21:4
ESV
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.” -Revelation 21:4
NKJV
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” -Revelation 21:4
NLT
He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” -Revelation 21:4
NASB
And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” -Revelation 21:4
Context of Revelation 21:4
To truly grasp the depth of this verse, we must look at its context. In Revelation 21, John is describing the final renewal of all things, after the defeat of evil, the final judgment, and the passing away of the old world.
Here, God reveals His ultimate plan to dwell among His people in a new heaven and new earth, completely free from the corruption of sin and its consequences.
Word Study
The original Greek enriches our understanding of this promise. The word translated as “wipe away” (exaleipsei) means to blot out or erase completely. It conveys the idea of permanent removal, not just temporary relief.
Likewise, the phrase “no more” (ouk estai eti) is emphatic in the Greek text, stressing the absolute and final end of death, grief, crying, and pain. This is not simply their absence; it is their complete and eternal elimination.
The phrase “the old order of things” refers to the broken world we now live in, a world marked by grief, suffering, and death.
But the new creation is not simply about restoring what was lost; it is about transformation. In this new reality, suffering itself will no longer exist.
What is even more striking is the intimacy of God’s action. He does not merely remove pain in an impersonal way, He wipes every tear from the eyes of His children, showing His deep compassion and personal care.
What we see here is a radical vision of transformation. In the new heaven and new earth, grief and pain will not merely diminish over time; they will cease to exist altogether.
This passage assures us that all our present suffering is temporary. For those in Christ, a future of eternal joy, healing, and unbroken fellowship with God awaits. A future where every tear is tenderly wiped away by the Father Himself.
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How This Applies To Us Today
Grief is undoubtedly one of the most painful experiences we can ever endure. It is a universal experience, something no human being can escape.
At some point, whether suddenly or after a long season of decline, we are faced with the loss of loved ones. Their absence leaves a void in our hearts, a wound that cannot be easily healed. Though we try to continue with life, the reality of death reminds us of the brokenness of the world we live in.
From the moment sin entered creation, death became part of human existence. Along with it came mourning, crying, and pain, all of which weigh heavily on us. Yet, Revelation 21:4 speaks directly into this reality, offering not just comfort but a glorious promise of transformation.
In this verse, John describes his vision of the new heaven and the new earth. Here, God dwells with His people forever, and His presence ushers in a reality unlike anything we know today.
The passage assures us that every tear will be wiped away by God Himself. This image is deeply personal and intimate; it is not merely the end of sorrow but the tender act of a loving Father comforting His children.
No more death, no more grief, no more pain, these will be permanently removed, never to return. The “old order of things,” which is our present world broken by sin, will pass away, and in its place will come a new creation defined by peace, joy, and everlasting life.
This promise gives us a foundation of hope as we navigate grief and trials in our lives today. When we lose loved ones, we can hold onto the truth that death is not final for those who are in Christ.
For them, and for us who believe, there is an eternal future where separation will no longer exist. This hope allows us to face trials with strength, knowing that our suffering, no matter how overwhelming, is temporary compared to the eternal glory that awaits us.
As Paul reminds us in Romans 8:18, the present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed.
It also encourages us to persevere. Life’s hardships can be draining, but Revelation 21:4 reminds us that God Himself will comfort and restore us. This truth provides the courage to keep moving forward even when the weight of grief threatens to crush us.
Now, imagine a world where death does not exist. A place where no one you love is ever taken away, and every person you cherish is with you forever. This is the future that awaits all who are in Christ, a world of eternal joy, perfect restoration, and unbroken fellowship with God.
Reflection Questions
- How does the promise of a world without grief or death shape the way I view my current struggles?
- In what ways can I experience God’s comfort in the midst of loss today?
- How does understanding the permanence of God’s restoration influence my daily choices and relationships?
Summary Takeaway
Revelation 21:4 is more than just a comforting verse; it is a vision of God’s ultimate plan to erase grief, pain, and death forever. It reminds us that what we endure now is temporary, but His promise is eternal. In the face of grief and suffering, we can live with unshakeable hope, knowing that one day every tear will be wiped away by the loving hand of God Himself.
