Revelation 21:4 Meaning of He Will Wipe Away Every Tear

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.”

Explanation and Commentary on Revelation 21:4

Christians wait with great hope for the current Age of the Church to come to an end with the return of Jesus.  One sincere look at the injustice, depravity, pain, and suffering in a world that is fallen and ruled for a time by the evil one causes the heart to cry out like the saints in heaven who cried, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood” (Rev 6:10).

But this promise in Revelation 21:4 is trustworthy and full of hope that this world is passing and the next one is nothing like it.  Can you imagine a new heaven and earth with no death, therefore, no mourning, no crying or pain?  It is promised to us and we wait eagerly with the whole creation for all things to be made right (Ro 8:22).

Meanwhile, we are to be about the work of the Lord, building and working for that great day (1 Cor 15:58) since we know that our labor is not in vain.

Interpretation of the Key parts of Revelation 21:4

#1 “He will wipe every tear from their eyes.”

We may carry certain sorrows from our time in darkness.  For a time there may be weeping all around us as we live with the consequences of the fall. But Jesus himself promises to wipe our tears away and comfort us in that day.

#2 “There will be no more death, or mourning, or crying or pain,”

When he does wipe away every tear, it will be for the last time. The new reality will be one without crying or pain. There will be nothing to mourn because death will be no more.  It is promised that death is an enemy that will be vanquished at the end in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:20).

#3 “for the old order of things…”

The “old order of things” began when Adam rebelled against God. The world fell into the “dominion of darkness” (Col 1:13) and began to run on certain demonic principles under satan’s rule. Hatred, anger, lust, envy and pride were what motivated man, and fear and death reigned as constants. Jesus inaugurated a new order but in the Church Age. It existed alongside the old order as the Kingdom of God was not quite fully come.

#4 “…has passed away.”

But now, when Christ has returned, the “old order” is done away with, and only the Kingdom of God, ruled by the Lamb Slain is all there is. Revelation 21-22 shows a picture of the restoration of all things in this new order reality.

Bible Study Commentary on Revelation 21

Expert 12 Minute Overview of Revelation Ch. 12-22

Biblical Translations of Revelation 21:4

NIV
“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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”