One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Ephesians 4:4

In our previous post, we contemplated the tears which will flow from God’s people as they are about to enter the heavenly city. These tears will require the comfort of God, as He wipes away every tear from their eyes. In that study, we focused on the tears themselves. You can review that post here:

TEARS WIPED AWAY BY GOD’S HANDKERCHIEF

Why are there tears at the very threshold of eternal joy? This is the riddle that Revelation hints at—an enigma inviting deep reflection. Heaven is beginning for the ransomed souls. They are entering paradise, and yet there are tears to be wiped away.

In this follow-up study, we will consider the One who wipes away those tears. Just as a parent consoles a disconsolate child, so God comforts His people with His eternal love. At the heart of this divine comfort is the Fatherhood of God—a truth central to Christian revelation.

The Fatherhood of God; A Distinctive Revelation

But the God of Scripture is different. He is not a distant or dreadful deity. He is a God of love, full of tender mercies. As Paul says, “One God and Father of all”—a truth that transforms how we relate to Him.

1: HIS ETERNAL BEGETTING OF HIS SON

Though John’s Gospel is not chronologically first in the Bible, it begins with the eternal relationship between the Father and the Son:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

John 1:1, 18

Before Jesus was born of a virgin, He existed eternally as the Logos, the Word, the only begotten Son. This “begetting” is not a moment in time, but an eternal relationship of love and unity. The Son, lying in the bosom of the Father, reveals a God of tenderness and intimacy.

2: HIS CREATION OF HUMANITY

In forming Adam from the dust and Eve from Adam’s side, God became the Father of the human race.

Have we not all one father?
hath not one God created us?

Malachi 2:10

Human life originates from God. He is the Author of life, and therefore, the Father of all in a creative sense.

3: HIS CARE OVER ISRAEL

Throughout the Old Testament, God’s covenant relationship with Israel is often described in fatherly terms:

When Israel was a child, then I loved him,
and called my son out of Egypt.

Hosea 11:1

God’s paternal care for Israel was ultimately about protecting the lineage through which the Messiah would come. His Son is always at the heart of His fatherly purposes.

4: HIS SENDING OF HIS SON

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Galatians 4:4

The incarnation marks the moment when the eternal Son became the God-man, Christ Jesus. God the Father sent His Son with a clear purpose: to bring many sons to glory (Hebrews 2:10).

This would be accomplished through giving His Son up to the cross:

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Romans 8:30

And bringing Him out of the deadness of the tomb:

And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Ephesians 1:19-23

5: HIS CHOOSING OF HIS ELECT

The Father within the Holy Trinity elected a people unto everlasting life. These people were given to His Son in a covenant relationship. Christ, as the Son of God, accepted these people upon condition that He would pay the ransom price for their salvation. Therefore in a unique fashion God becomes the Father of the elect Redemptively. This is a covenant relationship enjoyed through the merits and mediation of Christ

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

John 6:37

The Redemptive Father adopts, saves, and keeps His children.

6: HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS PEOPLE

A – HIS IDENTITY WITH CHRIST

Our relationship to God is only possible through Christ. The Father – Son relationship within the Trinity is fundamental to our redemptive relationship with God.

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Ephesians 3:14

B – HIS OPEN EAR

Christ teaches us to pray to the Father. Prayer with conversation of the child to God the Father.

Our Father which art in heaven

Matthew 6:9

C – HIS TENDER HEART

For our comfort, the character of God is disposed for our comfort and relief.

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

2nd Corinthians 1:3-4

D – HIS STRONG HAND

God will never fail to be generous towards His children, constantly supplying our every need.

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him.

Matthew 7:11

E – His Chastening Rod

For our betterment God intervenes in our lives, teaching when we go astray, correcting our sinfulness in order that we might grow in grace.

If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?…
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Hebrews 12:7,11

F – HIS UNFAILING PROMISE

The riches of glory are ours in Christ. His inheritance as the only begotten and incarnate Son become ours as God’s children.

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ

Romans 8:17

7: HIS INSPIRATION FOR SERVICE

A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master:
if then I be a father, where is mine honour?
and if I be a master, where is my fear?
saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name.

Malachi 1:6

Ultimately, as those who are the regenerated and adopted children of God, it us our solemn responsibility to honour God with our lives and our service. Nothing less will do.

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

2nd Corinthians 6:14-18

Conclusion: The Father Who Wipes Away Our Tears

The God who wipes away every tear is the Father who:

• Loved us before time began
• Formed us with His hands

• Sent His Son for our salvation

• Adopted us into His family

• Comforts us in all sorrow Provides for our every need

• Promises us an eternal inheritance

• His love is eternal, personal, and unchanging.

Let us love Him, trust Him, honour Him, and rest in the arms of our Everlasting Father.