"‘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.”
Revelation 21:4 NIV
Most likely, we all have different ideas of what heaven will look like. As John describes in Revelations, will it truly be with the twelve gates the gold and precious gemstones? Or is his vision a metaphor giving an approximation in human terms; "It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal." (Rev 12:11) Its glory is so spectacular that it cannot be defined in human terms. Jesus kept it pretty simple, "My Father’s house has many rooms." (Jn 14:2 NIV) Do we really need anything more than a room anyway? We can be pretty confident; we will not be floating around on clouds playing harps. While it is interesting to ponder, it doesn't really matter how it looks at the end of the day. It matters more what goes on there.
Can we begin to understand the idea of peace? The end to death and suffering? The pain, grief, and mourning; all gone. Like trying to comprehend how heaven will look, it is mind-blowing to think how it will not feel; the absence of everything negative, filled instead with the tranquility and jubilation of being in the presence of God. What a celebration!
As Christ's followers, we have the assurance of this promise. "I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." (Jn 14:2-3) This is the promise that we must share with others; it’s too good to keep to ourselves.
Father God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, we give you our thanks and praise for the promise found in your Son Jesus Christ. We cling to the hope found in our salvation—a time when we come into your presence and see you face-to-face. With our new body free from all traces of what once was, we bask in your glory, and we worship. Please help us as we share this promise with others. We pray this in the name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.
Peace,
Pastor Tim
