Back in 1989, the second film of the “Back to the Future” series was released – starring the characters Marty McFly and Dr. Emmett Brown, who had both appeared in the original movie. The script basically revolved around Marty and Doc Brown being transported from 1985 forward in time to October 21, 2015. Well, yesterday was the day in history that coincided with the timing of the return “to the future.” Marty, played by Michael J. Fox and Doc Brown, played by Christopher Lloyd, were in hot demand the last several days as the future “date” that they travelled to came and went – now becoming a part of history. There were many “Back to the Future” parties and people were anxious to compare the predicted 2015 with the reality of what we actually have today.
At times, the film made us aware of the changes that can occur in the future by messing around with time and changing the destiny of things that are to be. And if you really want to make it confusing, what would it be like to actually meet yourself in the past or the future? And what words of wisdom would you impart to yourself in a different time period? Hopefully, years of knowledge and growth that you have amassed during your time on earth would come into play and you would speak words of wisdom.
It’s interesting to note that there are elements of “Back to the Future” in the Bible. Although we don’t really have the linguistic tools to define it properly in English, the ancient Greek language accounted for events that had not yet occurred as though they were already in the past. That’s right – something as good as already done yet it would actually happen sometime in the future. Usually these elements had to do with resurrection doctrine or in dreams that people had – knowing things about the future that were explained as if they had already happened.
The apostle John, one of the members of the inner sanctum of Jesus, wrote the Book of Revelation about a dream that he had concerning the future. When he wrote down the contents of his dream, he recorded the events as if they had already occurred. In fact, Revelation can be confusing at times; especially if you aren’t aware that John is writing about a dream and that the things he describes are all in our future. But we, as Christ followers, have access to many things that help us understand God and heaven a little better than we otherwise would.
Our verse for this evening comes from one such image recorded by John in the book of Revelation. He tells us about the future – what heaven will be like as seen from the other side. We are told, in Revelation 21:1-4, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live 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.”
That’s pretty powerful stuff, especially considering that it is in the future! My encouragement tonight is that God is trustworthy and true. Since He revealed to John what the future will be like, we have no need to worry about God’s promise to us. My prayer is that you will put your hope in the future. No matter how your past has been, as a follower of Jesus you can rest assured that the future will be bright – and eternal! Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…