What does it mean that God will wipe away every tear from our eyes (Revelation 7:17)?

Answer

The book of Revelation provides some of the most detailed images of heaven in the Bible. Revelation 7:15–17 describes several of the eternal blessings and joys that the redeemed of the Lord will enjoy there, concluding with the promise that “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” «For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.», (Revelation 7:17).

This remarkable promise is repeated in Revelation 21:3–4 as the new heaven and earth are unveiled: “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.”

How startling and humbling is this heart-rending picture of God Himself reaching down in the most intimate and tender of gestures to brush away the tears from our faces. The image represents the Lord’s ultimate victory over our greatest enemies at the culmination of history. The final enemy—death itself—is destroyed and thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14;1 Corinthians 15:26). Thousands of years of human mourning, crying, and pain are wiped away forever (Revelation 18:8;Genesis 3:16) when “the old order of things has passed away” «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 have passed away.»

When someone passes away, it is a difficult time for those left behind. The Bible offers comfort in (Revelation 21:4).

The term “old order” refers to the previous fallen state of creation where sin and death existed. The English Standard Version explains, “For the former things have passed away.” Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God and our Savior, reversed the curse of Adam’s fall by bearing the punishment for our sins on the cross (Galatians 3:13;Hebrews 9:23-10:18). In the new eternal order, God’s people will live in His presence before His throne and “serve him day and night in his temple” «Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. », (Revelation 7:15) because sin and death have been eradicated through Christ’s sacrifice.

The prophet Isaiah foresaw the New Jerusalem and witnessed the same vision as John in Revelation: “The LORD of Hosts will prepare a feast for all the peoples on this mountain. . . . He will destroy the burial shroud. . . . He will destroy death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face and remove His people’s disgrace from the whole earth. . . . On that day it will be said, ‘Look, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He has saved us. This is the LORD. . . . Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation'” (Isaiah 25:6-9;HCSB).

In these glimpses of heaven, we see God comforting us by wiping away our tears. This imagery symbolizes a future reality where there will be no more pain, sorrow, or crying in eternity. We will be liberated from all suffering, sickness, and conflict.

As we enjoy unbroken communion with God our Father.

Yet there is no reason to doubt that God will wipe away real tears from our eyes in heaven one day. Will we not be overwhelmed with emotion when we no longer “see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face” «For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. », (1 Corinthians 13:12, ESV)? When we stand before the One who sacrificed His life for us, when we see Him reigning from the center of the universe, we do not know what we will do. Perhaps we will kneel in worship, shedding tears of joy to hear him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. . . . Enter into the joy of your master” «His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. », (Matthew 25:21, ESV).

Jesus said, “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh” «Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. », (Luke 6:21, ESV). Today we can live with hope knowing that our every sorrow and sadness will one day be transformed into laughter. And if there are any tears in heaven, we can be certain they will be tears of joy.