The Promise

Revelation 21:1-5, 21-27

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2021%3A1-5%2CRevelation%2021%3A21-27&version=NIV;NLT

 

⁵ And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.”      NLT

 

Promises bring with them the sense of a new beginning; a fresh start; a new adventure. A wedding, for instance, ushers in the promise of a new life together; of new love; of a future family.

 

We’ve all made promises. And we’ve all broken them. Who hasn’t made a New Year’s Resolution to lose weight, only to give up soon thereafter? Or promised to be on time

from now on, and ended up late for your next meeting? But God’s word is “trustworthy and true”.

 

God has made a promise to those who believe and follow Him; to those whose name is in the Book of Life. It’s the promise of the New Jerusalem; of Heaven.

 

² I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “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. 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.”      NIV

 

It sounds beautiful doesn’t it? It’s the ultimate promise that brings with it hope for the future, a new beginning, and a new life. It defeats death; stops shame; washes away guilt. This is where believers will live in the presence of God for eternity.

 

Author Stephen Covey wrote, “Begin with the end in mind”. For believers, the New Jerusalem is the end. So if you begin there, how does that affect your life between now and then? How does it affect you on a daily basis; on your decisions, your relationships, your job, or your finances?

 

God has made you a promise that he will keep. He is faithful. His word is trustworthy. Let’s keep His promise, The Promise, at the forefront of our mind.

 

 

 

 

Let there be Light

I had been told that the Book of Revelation is not something to fear--a scary story, but it is a love story.  This book is a story of the treasure awaiting you and me which has been provided by God, because of His great love for us.

We are guaranteed to partake in this treasure if our names are in this book.  As Believers, we know our name is there.

"The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp." (Revelation 21:23)

Imagine a world without the need of a night-light.  No more stumbling around in the darkness because the Light of the World surrounds us 24/7.  An exciting aspect of the life in Heaven is the picture I see of a bustling and busy world.  There is no sitting around contemplating stuff; there is joy, and peace and love everywhere.  A perpetual party of praise and thanksgiving, a joyous reunion of loved ones, and days filled with action and awesome, colorful, continuous relationships. 

The New Jerusalem will be a place where our memories and our love will still be who we are.  A great blessing will be that we are in the presence of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit and our life will be complete. And bathed in the Light of the World.

Revelation 21:9-26

It’s a Home Going, not a Funeral

“The New Jerusalem”

Revelation 21:1-8

 

While teaching in the Columbus City Schools, my wife was invited to attend a funeral service by one of her students. Only when my wife referred to it as a funeral she was corrected by her student. “It’s a home going, not a funeral”.

According to Wikipedia, “the history of the home going service can be traced back to the arrival of African slaves in America. Early during the slave trade, slaves believed death meant their soul would return home to their native Africa.”

“When slaves were introduced to Christianity, the Old Testament stories of God and Moses freeing a captive and enslaved race resonated with them. The New Testament stories of Jesus and promises of glory in heaven and a far better after-life allowed slaves to forge through the turmoil of mortal life and look forward to the day when they would return home to the Lord.”

 ^2 “And I, John, saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven. It was a glorious sight, beautiful as a bride at her wedding. ³ I heard a loud shout from the throne saying, “Look, the home of God is now among men, and he will live with them and they will be his people; yes, God himself will be among them. ⁴ He will wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain. All of that has gone forever.”            TLB

This is a beautiful picture of our final home going. John’s words are a message of hope for all of us. The group MercyMe has a song that articulates that hope and how we might feel on that day when we are in the New Jerusalem in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus.

I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk by your side

Will I dance for you Jesus
Or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence
Or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine

What could be any better than to be in the presence of the One who created us and faithfully loves us?

That will truly be a home going.